PREPARATION FOR SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES
Today through Thursday we all will experience sub-zero temperatures and wind chills that our homes’ heating systems are NOT designed to handle. -20 to -30 degree temperatures with wind chills into -40 and up to -50+.
Newer homes will struggle to maintain temperature and older homes will NOT maintain temperature and the temperature WILL drop while the heating system is working at full capacity.
FOLLOW THESE STEPS TO PREPARE
- Please raise the temperature in your home 2 to 4 degrees above your normal setting.
- Take all programmable thermostats out of setback mode and set on a permanent HOLD.
- If you have a furnace; replace the filter.
- Keep garage doors closed.
- Limit opening exterior doors.
- Make sure air vents and radiators are not blocked or obstructed.
- Close all curtains and blinds to help hold the heat in and stop drafts. Seal all leaking windows and doors.
- If you have a 90%+ furnace and boiler: You must keep the intake and exhaust clear of ice and snow. During these cold temperatures, ice can build up. A 90%+ furnace and boiler have 2 white PVC pipes; (Click the Link to learn more) an exhaust pipe and an intake pipe that are generally on the side or back of your home. In some instances, they are on your roof, do NOT go on your roof to clear the pipe. Make sure to clear the snow off of your Gas Regulator as well.
OTHER TIPS AND INFORMATION
If the temperature in your home is dropping and your radiators are HOT with boiler systems or you have HOT air coming out of your vents with furnaces DO NOT PANIC. Please make sure that your heating system continues to operate.
If the temperatures drop in your home, it will not be able to recover until sub-zero temperatures rise and the windchill diminishes. Our heating systems cannot overcome temperatures -20 to -30 with wind chill up to -50+. Put your thermostat on hold 70 degrees or higher. Furnaces in our climate are designed to maintain 72 degrees at -5 below zero and does not include windchill and infiltration.
To help minimize temperature loss you can boil water, make soup, or stews; they help introduce humidity and warmer temperatures into your home. DO NOT USE YOUR OVEN or a GRILL TO HEAT YOUR HOME. Please check on neighbors and elderly residents during these extreme temperatures. Stay warm and safe this week and share this information with friends and family.
The key is do NOT panic with falling temps inside your home if you have heat coming out of your registers. It is doing all it can.
Reminder never run your car to warm up in your garage even if the garage door is open it is unsafe.
Stay safe, Stay warm and bring your pets inside.
Click HERE to watch the KCRG story featuring Colony Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning.
“Call the Guys you can Trust,” at Colony Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning for Emergency Service. We are available 24/7.
364-HEAT (4328).
