Try These Tips If Your Heat Goes Out
When it’s a cold day in Kansas City, the last thing you expect is for your furnace to stop working. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, heating systems can fail, leaving you shivering and searching for “Kansas City furnace repair” online.
Blue Heating and Cooling strives to provide prompt service, but there will still be a slight waiting period while our technician is on the way. So, what can you do in the meantime to stay warm?
Try these practical strategies to help you cope with the chill.
Block Drafts and Leaks
Drafts and leaks are one of the fastest ways to lose heat. Take a walk around your home and feel around doors and windows. If you feel a cold breeze, that’s a sign of a leak. Temporary solutions can make a big difference. Roll up bath towels and place them at the base of doors and windows.
Closing heavy curtains or drapes can also help block drafts and keep the existing heat in your home while you wait for furnace repair services.
Let the Sun In
Even on cold days, the sun can provide some warmth. Open curtains and blinds on south-facing windows during the daylight hours. This allows the sun’s rays to help keep your home’s temperature up.
Try an Easy Furnace Repair Task
Sometimes, a seemingly major furnace problem can be caused by something as minor as a clogged air filter. Although a dirty filter won’t cause a furnace to completely stop working, it can significantly restrict airflow, making it harder for the furnace to heat your home and eventually lead to bigger problems if left too long.
Locate your furnace filter and check its condition. If it’s visibly dirty or clogged with dust and debris, replace it with a new filter of the correct size. This simple step can sometimes improve your furnace’s performance, even if it doesn’t fully resolve the issue.
Dress In Layers
While it might seem obvious, adding extra layers of clothing is a very effective way to stay warm. Encourage your whole family to do it, too.
Start with a base layer of thermal underwear or long-sleeved shirts and leggings. Add sweaters, fleece jackets, and even coats if needed. Don’t forget hats, scarves, and gloves – a significant amount of heat can be lost through the head and extremities.
You can even wrap up in your warmest blankets while you wait. Make it fun for younger children with hot chocolate and a movie.
Use Safe Space Heaters With Caution
Space heaters can provide a localized source of heat while you wait for furnace repair, but use them with caution.
- Never leave a space heater unattended, and place it on a stable, level surface away from flammable materials like paper, curtains, or furniture. Your space heater should be more than three feet away from any of these items.
- Only use space heaters that have safety features like automatic shut-off if they tip over or overheat.
- Regularly inspect the cord for any damage, and never use an extension cord with a space heater.
Considering other sources of warmth? Never start an open fire in your home without proper ventilation. Never use your gas cooking appliances for heat. Both can cause a build-up of deadly carbon monoxide.
Gather Your Family and Pets In One Room
If possible, close off unused rooms or areas of your home. This concentrates the available heat into a smaller area, making it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature. Choose a central location that is well-insulated and has fewer windows or external walls while waiting for furnace repair.
Some people make their living space even cozier, by setting up a camping tent in the middle of the room. This smaller space with your family in it feels warmer than the rest of your home because your body heat is consolidated. Your younger kids might even find it fun!
What If I Need Professional Furnace Repair Services?
Contact Blue Heating and Cooling at the first sign of furnace trouble, and you may not even have time to try these tips! We understand the urgency of a furnace breakdown, and we’ll send a technician to you as soon as possible if you have a true heating emergency.
We provide expert furnace repair in the Kansas City metro area and can work on all makes and models of heat pumps, furnaces, and boilers.
To get emergency help with your heating, call Blue Heating and Cooling at (816) 719-1099.