Why Bergen County Trusts Whalen & Ives for Emergency Heating Service
We’ve answered heating emergencies across Bergen County since 1985, and we know that a no-heat call in an older Teaneck or River Vale home with a hydronic system is a different kind of urgent than a furnace failure in newer Mahwah construction. A frozen or burst pipe from a failed boiler can cause damage within hours, and our dispatch team prioritizes calls accordingly.
We provide live dispatch every day of the year, including nights, weekends, and holidays, so a heating failure at 2 am gets the same response as one during a Tuesday afternoon. Before you call, here are a few quick checks that sometimes solve the problem faster than a truck roll.
Quick Checks Before You Call
Confirm the thermostat is set to “heat” and above room temperature, and replace the batteries if the display looks dim or blank. Check your electrical panel for a tripped breaker labeled furnace, boiler, or HVAC, and confirm your furnace’s power switch, which looks like a standard light switch nearby, hasn’t been accidentally bumped off. Finally, check your air filter. A clogged filter is a common, easily overlooked cause of a furnace shutting itself down on its own safety switch. If none of these resolve the issue, it’s time to call us.
What Counts as a Heating Emergency
A boiler or hydronic heating system that stops running can allow water in the pipes to freeze within hours during a hard freeze, risking a burst pipe and significant water damage on top of the heat loss itself. This is one of the most time-sensitive heating emergencies we respond to, since the damage compounds the longer the system stays down.
Complete loss of heat during freezing temperatures. This is the most common emergency call we receive, and one where every hour matters.
A carbon monoxide detector alarm or suspected CO leak. Leave the home immediately and call emergency services before calling us.
The smell of gas near your furnace or boiler. Treat this the same way: leave the area and call your gas utility or 911 first.
Unusual burning smells, smoke, or sparking from heating equipment. Shut the system off if it’s safe to do so and call us right away.
A failed heating system with vulnerable occupants. Infants, elderly residents, or anyone with a medical condition make a no-heat situation urgent regardless of the outdoor temperature.
