More Boring Home Ownership Stuff: No Heat? Try this

Did we just get snow? Temperatures are dropping and there’s no heat in your house. The furnace worked fine last year.  Did you try to google it or ask Siri?  Before you spend money on a service call, check these.
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All heating appliances have an electrical disconnect switch on or near the unit.  If you have young kids like I do, they seem to always shut the furnace off (and the hot water too)?   Make sure the switch is in the ON position.  The switch is a perfect height for a three-year-old to reach.  Next, check the furnace’s electrical circuit breaker in the main panel. Make sure it’s in the ON position.

Set the thermostat Heat-Off-Cool switch to Heat. Check the fan switch – it should be set to Auto. Move the thermostat setting to a few degrees above room temperature. Normally the thermostat will display the room temperature, not the setting. Be sure the setting is above the room temperature, and give the furnace a few minutes to start.
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If the furnace does not start, adjust the setting below the room temperature, wait a few minutes, then move the setpoint back above room temperature. This may reset the furnace’s controls so that it operates properly.

Still no heat? Change the battery.  Never mind what your thermostat says.  Change your battery every year!  And while your at it, change your batteries in smoke detectors and Carbone Monoxide sensors.   If you call for service, the first thing the tech does is change the batteries.  Isn't this kinda the same as IT telling you to turn your computer off and turn it back on, when your having a problem.