Home Heating Emergency: How To Stay Safe And Warm
Imagine this: It’s the heart of winter, and the ground is covered in several inches of thick, powdery snow. You’re inside, and you discover that your home is starting to feel a bit cold. Your heater doesn’t appear to be working. What can you possibly do? Sadly, a home heating emergency is something homeowners often experience.
Heating systems typically break down right in the middle of a cold spell, when people need to rely on this equipment the most. A home heating emergency can lead to problems that affect your safety and comfort. If this is a situation that you find yourself in, you should know how to remain warm and safe until your HVAC contractor shows up. This article will share some of the top ways to keep everyone in the home safe and warm during a heating system breakdown.
What A Home Heating Emergency Is
During a home heating emergency, the heater, such as the boiler or furnace, stops functioning right when residents need it the most. In some instances, the problem is a simple and easy one to fix. It may not even require professional help. For instance, given that a lot of heaters require electricity, you may just need to check the power source and check the circuit breaker.
Moreover, it is additionally important to inspect the fuel supply. If you don’t have sufficient fuel, you’ll want to schedule a delivery right away. The sooner that the problem is identified; the easier and quicker it will be to resolve.
Home heating emergencies can be a major inconvenience to everyone in the home. They also present a variety of safety concerns. Without sufficient heat, you’ll have to contend with:
- Physical Discomfort: A heater breakdown will always result in discomfort. Temperatures that are low or exceedingly low can make it difficult to live indoors. If you don’t have any source of heat, you will have a higher risk of developing respiratory issues. You may become more susceptible to minor illnesses such as the flu and the common cold. Sleeping and taking a nap can be difficult in cold indoor conditions as well.
- Risks To Your Health: Extremely low temperatures can place you and other household residents at risk of developing hypothermia. When a person’s body temperature drops too low, even moving and thinking can be hard. At lower than average temperatures, respiratory issues and problems like frostbite can start to crop up. Low temperatures are especially problematic for those with arthritis and heart disease. Small children, infants, and seniors can be more sensitive than others to extremely low temperatures.
- Freezing Pipes: Without adequate heat, water pipes throughout the home can freeze, which can make it impossible for water to flow. When water freezes in the pipes, it can make these structures expand to the point of bursting or sustaining other significant damages.
Tips For Staying Warm As You Wait For Your HVAC Technician To Arrive
So, let’s say that you have already checked everything, such as the fuel and circuit breaker, and yet you are still dealing with a problem. You’ll need to schedule an emergency heating repair. While you wait for the HVAC technician to arrive and get the job done, it’s important to know how to stay warm. Here are some steps that you can take as you wait:
Turn Your Heating System Off
Given that your heating system remains inoperative, be sure to shut off the power and the thermostat. If yours is a gas furnace, you should also turn off the supply lines. This is going to isolate the heater and help keep you safe while you wait.
Turn A Space Heater On
Spaces heaters are small-sized, portable heating units that are designed to warm ambient air up. The typical unit has a small fan for blowing warm air. You can keep a small room comfortable and warm with a small 2-3 kW space heater. Larger heaters that have as much as a 30 kW capacity can be used to warm up medium to large-sized buildings. If you intend to use space heaters while waiting for an HVAC technician, you must make sure to use them safely. Never leave these appliances unattended. Moreover, you should always follow the guidelines of the space heater’s manufacturer.
Drink Something Warm
In addition to keeping both your face and hands warm, warm drinks will also offer soothing, gentle comfort during a time when it’s needed the most. Make sure to choose beverages that are known for actually keeping people warm, such as herbal tea and coffee. Because coffee contains caffeine and is, therefore capable of stimulating your metabolism, it can cause your body to warm up to burn more fuel. Ginger tea is able to improve blood flow, and thus, it is ensures excellent circulation to the extremities. Try to stay away from alcohol. A good bowl of hot soup can also warm you up.
Get Moving
Moving around boosts your heart rate and increases blood flow. Basic exercises will help you limber up while promoting better circulation to your extremities to fight the cold.
Add Layers And Bundle Up
Wearing several layers of clothing is a great way to conserve your body heat. Sweaters, shawls, socks, gloves, and other items can be worn to help you retain warmth. Be mindful of elderly people and small children to ensure that they are both comfortable and warm. Avoid overly constrictive clothes or any items that are either too heavy or too tight.
Tips For Preventing Heating Emergencies In Your Home
One of the best ways to avoid heating emergencies and the many problems that they can cause is by always being prepared. It’s best to be a step ahead when it comes to issues like these. Following are several steps you can take:
Having Your Heating System Maintained Annually
One way to prevent a malfunctioning furnace or boiler is by scheduling yearly heater maintenance and inspections. Routine checkups make it possible for HVAC professionals to identify and diagnose problems so that these can be taken care of before they lead to system failure.
Get In Touch With A Professional, Reputable HVAC Service
When the very first signs of trouble rear their heads, reach out to a local HVAC contractor as soon as you possibly can. It may be more practical to start by troubleshooting issues on your own, but serious problems should always be handled by HVAC technicians who are properly trained and licensed to do the job. No matter what, if you know that your heating system isn’t working as it should, take care of it right away.
Replace The Air Filters In Your HVAC System
Furnace repair companies often remind homeowners that their air filters must be regularly cleaned or replaced. Clogged filters greatly impede air distribution. A dirty filter can also make your home heater work much harder than it has to, use additional energy or fuel, and become far less efficient overall. Moreover, when the filter is obstructed, this can create a variety of problems within the heating system that will ultimately lead to the need for repairs. Check your filter once each month and replace it as needed.
Conclusion
Preventing furnace malfunction is a very practical way to keep your home and all those who live within it both comfortable and safe throughout the winter. With a few easy steps and solutions, you and your family won’t have to worry about heating emergencies. Always be sure to work with a reputable and reliable HVAC service to keep your home heating system in excellent and reliable condition.
Contact Tower Energy For Superior Home Heating Services
Tower Energy is known for providing top-notch HVAC services all throughout the local region. We are staffed by talented and NATE-certified HVAC techs who can handle even the toughest repairs and replacements. Our team has sufficient knowledge and experience in providing superior services every time.
Does your home heater need to be replaced or fixed? You have absolutely nothing to worry about. You can trust Tower Energy to provide you with an effective and affordable solution. Our furnace replacement and repair costs are highly competitive. If you need a replacement furnace, we can help you choose the best model for your home and at your targeted price point. Energy efficiency, comfort, indoor air health and quality, and excellent customer service are among our top priorities.
We additionally offer emergency, no-heat services at an affordable cost for those who are dealing with the unexpected. To set your home visit us, call Tower Energy and ask for a free, in-home consultation and estimate.
Contact us now or call us at (860) 677-7347 to find out more.