The call at a glance
When
12:30 a.m. on a Friday night, during one of the coldest nights of the season.
Who
John M., a local homeowner with two young children at home.
Problem
The furnace had stopped working and the house was cooling down.
Response
The call was answered promptly and a technician was dispatched right away.
Result
The technician diagnosed and repaired the furnace that night, checked that everything was working, and explained what went wrong.
12:30 a.m. and no heat
John realized his furnace had stopped just after midnight. It was one of the coldest nights of the season, and with two young kids asleep in the house, a falling indoor temperature was more than an inconvenience.
Like most people, he had never needed a heating company in the middle of the night and was not sure who would pick up. Most HVAC offices are closed at that hour.
Oria offers 24/7 emergency service for furnaces, so John’s call was answered and a technician was sent out right away.
Diagnosis and repair in the middle of the night
The technician arrived quickly, prepared for the job despite the hour. John valued the professionalism and the clear communication from start to finish.
After a thorough diagnosis, the technician identified the problem, explained to John what had gone wrong, and got to work. The furnace was soon running again and heat returned to the house.
Before leaving, the technician made sure everything was working properly and that John understood what had caused the failure. That last step matters: knowing why a furnace stopped helps you spot the same warning signs next time.
In John’s words
John later left a review describing the visit:
“I cannot thank you enough for coming to fix our furnace at 12:30 AM on a Friday night, especially on such short notice! His willingness to come out so late and provide such exceptional service truly saved the night for our family. Highly recommend his services to anyone in need!”
Other Oria customers describe similar experiences. Phil G. wrote: “Mansoor was incredibly fast to respond, offered help over the phone and came over the following morning. He’s a total pro, diagnosed the problem within a few minutes…”
What to do if your furnace fails at night
A furnace that quits at night feels urgent, and in an Ottawa January it often is. Work through these steps in order.
Safety first
If you smell gas, leave the house and call Enbridge Gas’s emergency line or 911 from outside. If your CO alarm sounds, get everyone out and call 911.
Check the thermostat
Heat mode, set above room temperature, fresh batteries.
Check the power
The furnace service switch (it looks like a light switch near the furnace) and the breaker.
Check the filter
A badly clogged filter can make the furnace overheat and shut off.
Check the outdoor pipes
Snow or ice over the PVC intake and exhaust will stop a high-efficiency furnace.
Read the error code
Note the blinking light pattern before you do anything else.
Reset once
Turn the service switch off for 30 seconds, then on. If it fails again, stop and call.
For the full list, see 12 checks when your furnace stops working.
Keeping your family warm while you wait
Gather in one room
Close the doors, draw the curtains and add blankets and layers, especially for young children.
Use space heaters carefully
Only electric models with tip-over shut-off, kept well clear of bedding and curtains, and never left unattended.
Never heat with fuel-burning equipment indoors
No oven, BBQ, camp heater or generator. They can produce deadly carbon monoxide.
Protect your pipes
Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls and let a tap drip slightly if the house is getting very cold.
When it can’t wait until morning
At −20 °C to −30 °C, a house can lose several degrees within a few hours. Call for emergency service right away if:
- You have babies, young children, older adults or anyone unwell in the house.
- The indoor temperature is dropping quickly or pipes on outside walls are at risk.
- The furnace keeps locking out after one reset.
- You notice soot, a burning smell or water pooling around the furnace.
Most furnace repairs cost $150 – $900, while major parts such as a blower motor, control board or inducer typically cost $600 – $2,000. The final price depends on the furnace and the part involved.
How to prevent a late-night breakdown
Book a fall tune-up
A yearly check ($120 – $200) cleans the flame sensor, tests the ignitor and catches worn parts before the first cold snap.
Change the filter
Every 1–3 months during the heating season.
Clear the vents after storms
Keep snow away from the outdoor intake and exhaust pipes.
Test CO alarms monthly
They are required near sleeping areas in homes with fuel-burning appliances.
Plan ahead for an older furnace
If yours is 15 years or older, price a replacement before it fails on the coldest night.
Save the number
Keep (613) 866-1869 on your phone so you are not searching at midnight.
See our guides to furnace maintenance and common furnace problems in Ottawa.
24/7 emergency furnace repair in Ottawa
Oria Heating and Cooling is a family-owned Ottawa company serving the region since 2014, with licensed gas technicians who repair all makes and models.
If your furnace stops at any hour, call (613) 866-1869 or see our 24/7 emergency HVAC service. For non-urgent problems, book through our furnace repair service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Oria offer emergency furnace repair at night?
Yes. Oria Heating and Cooling offers 24/7 emergency service for furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, humidifiers and HRVs across Ottawa. Call (613) 866-1869 at any hour. In the story above, a call made at 12:30 a.m. on a Friday was answered promptly and a technician was dispatched right away.
What should I do if my furnace stops working in the middle of the night?
First rule out danger: if you smell gas or a CO alarm sounds, get everyone out and call from outside. Then check the thermostat, the furnace switch and breaker, the filter and the outdoor vent pipes, note any error code and reset once. If heat does not return, call a 24/7 furnace repair service.
Is no heat in winter considered an emergency?
In an Ottawa winter, usually yes. At −20 °C to −30 °C, a home can lose several degrees within a few hours, which puts young children, older adults and water pipes at risk. If your furnace has stopped and basic checks do not restore it, do not wait for morning. Call for emergency service.
How can I keep my house warm until the technician arrives?
Gather everyone in one room with the door closed, draw curtains and use blankets and layers. Electric space heaters with tip-over shut-off are fine if kept clear of bedding and supervised. Never use an oven, BBQ, camp heater or generator indoors. Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls to protect pipes.
How much does emergency furnace repair cost in Ottawa?
Most furnace repairs in Ottawa cost $150 – $900, while major parts such as a blower motor, control board or inducer typically cost $600 – $2,000. The final price depends on the furnace and the part involved. Ask the technician to explain the problem and the cost before the repair begins.
How can I prevent my furnace from breaking down at night?
Book a yearly tune-up in early fall, change the filter every 1–3 months, and keep the outdoor intake and exhaust pipes clear of snow. A tune-up catches worn ignitors, dirty flame sensors and weak motors before they fail. If your furnace is over 15 years old, plan its replacement before winter.
Related Reading
Need help with your heating or cooling?
Family-owned, licensed HVAC contractor serving Ottawa and Gatineau since 2014. 5.0 stars from 578 Google reviews.