Now that the coldest temperatures of the season are here, or will be here soon, you need to understand how to keep your family warm and cozy. While you may think your home’s heating system will be able to withstand the brutal temperatures, it’s critical that you to have a back-up plan in case your system fails.
Here are the top three reasons why you shouldn’t rely solely on your furnace or boiler in extremely cold temperatures.
- When the temperatures outside drop significantly, sometimes your furnace or boiler just can’t keep up with the demands being set by your thermostat. Sure, you want your home to be toasty and warm, but if it’s -10 outside, your heating system may have a difficult time keeping the inside of your home as warm as you’d like.
- Winter weather has the potential to cause power outages. If the power goes out during a snow or ice storm, and if your heating system runs on electrical power, your family will be stuck in the cold indefinitely.
- Lasting cold weather and dangerous temperatures can put a lot of strain on your heating system, and this extra use may cause a breakdown. Then, you will be waiting in the cold for a heating professional to come to your home to take care of the problem.
What’s your back-up plan?
It’s a wise idea to consider one of the following options to make sure that your family stays warm in case your heating system breaks:
- Have a generator installed.
- Make use of a space heater. (When using a space heater, be sure to turn it off when leaving the room or when going to sleep. Read the heater’s instruction manual carefully to ensure its safe use.)
- Have extra blankets available.
- Bundle up in extra layers.
NEVER rely on your stove for warmth! It’s extremely dangerous. These tips should help you understand why it’s important to never rely solely on your heating system for warmth during the dead of winter.