Heat always seems to quit at the worst time—a cold night, a busy morning, or right before guests arrive. In those moments, the last thing you want is confusion. You want clear steps and a calm voice walking you through what to do next.

That is exactly what our Services FAQ video delivers. In just a short clip, a member of our team at Alvin Hollis talks through the first things to check when your heat suddenly stops working. The advice comes straight from real calls we hear from South Shore homeowners every winter.

Watch the video here:

When the heat stops, start with simple checks

In the video, we begin with a question we hear all the time: “Customers often ask, what do I do when my heat's not working?” From there, we walk through a simple, step-by-step way to look at your system before you pick up the phone.

One of the most relatable moments comes early on: “You'll be surprised at how many people flip emergency switch by accident.” That small line says a lot. It shows how easy it is to bump a switch without noticing and how common that call is for us. We do not judge. We want you to feel comfortable checking that switch and turning it back on if it was off.

Next, the video highlights the thermostat. We remind viewers to make sure it has power and that the batteries work: “Those do die, and they do shut off the system.” That simple reminder can save frustration. A dead battery can feel like a major system failure when it is really a quick fix.

The question that seems silly, but matters

One of our favorite lines from the video tackles a question many people feel embarrassed to ask: “And then do you have power? Which seems like a silly question, but if you don't have power, you don't have heat in most instances.”

We include that on purpose. When your home feels cold, it is easy to jump straight to the heater or furnace as the problem. In reality, a power issue in part of the house—or the whole neighborhood—can shut everything down. By saying this out loud, we try to take the pressure off. You are not alone if that step slips your mind in the moment.

Why we say to press reset only once

The turning point in the video comes when we talk about the reset button. After you check the switch, the thermostat, the batteries, and the power, we give this guidance: “You have that one shot to hit the reset button to see if it'll reset itself. And if that doesn't work, stop there and give us a call.”

This part captures how we think about home comfort at Alvin Hollis. We want to give you room to handle the basics on your own. At the same time, we draw a clear line where it makes sense to bring in a trained technician. Pressing reset again and again can point to a deeper problem and can create risk for your system. One careful press, then stop—that balance respects both your safety and your equipment.

How this video reflects our values today

This short FAQ clip might look simple on the surface, but it reflects a lot of what drives our work as a fifth-generation, family-owned company.

We share what we know. We do not hold back basic checks just to push a service call. If you can fix the problem with a flipped switch or fresh batteries, we want you to know that.
We put comfort and safety first. The “one shot” reset advice and the clear stop point show how we balance do-it-yourself tips with careful, safe practices.
We draw on real conversations. Lines like “Customers often ask…” come from actual questions our team hears across the South Shore. These videos grow out of those daily talks with homeowners.
We aim for calm, clear guidance. In a stressful moment, you do not need jargon. You need a steady voice and clear steps. That is the tone we use in the video and in every service visit.

What you can take away before you even press play

Even before you watch, you can walk away with a simple mental checklist for “no heat” moments:

Look at the emergency or shut-off switch and make sure it is on.
Check the thermostat settings and replace the batteries if needed.
Make sure the house has power and that breakers have not tripped.
Press the reset button once if your system has one, then stop.

The video brings that checklist to life with a friendly voice and real-world context. It also shows how we try to help—by giving you clear information, not pressure.

Why this kind of guidance matters now

Heating, cooling, and plumbing systems grow more advanced every year, but the stress of losing heat on a cold day feels the same as it did generations ago. At Alvin Hollis, we draw on more than 150 years of serving South Shore homes to keep our advice grounded and practical.

The Services FAQ video is one small way we share that experience. It supports the work our technicians do during 24/7 emergency calls. It also fits with our focus on long-term relationships, free estimates, and straightforward guidance on repairs, replacements, and financing options.

When you watch, we hope you feel more prepared and less rushed the next time your heat acts up. And if you go through those simple steps and still feel chilled, our team is ready to talk through options with you. You can always reach Alvin Hollis at (781) 785-8901 to discuss your heating, cooling, or plumbing needs.

For now, take a minute, press play on the video above, and keep those steps in your back pocket for the next New England cold snap.