Despite all your best intentions and staying on top of maintenance, your heater can suddenly die one day. If it is a cold day, you may have to take measures to keep your home warm while waiting for heating repair in Grand Rapids, MN. These five suggestions will help maintain a comfortable temperature in your home until your HVAC system is up and running again:
- Close curtains and blinds: Closing your window treatments can add another layer of insulation to help keep the warm air inside. If your curtains are merely decorative or very thin, consider covering the windows with blankets to keep the drafts out. Windows are an access point for cold outside air, even when they are closed, so cover them as much as possible.
- Stay upstairs: If you have a multi-story home, remember that heat rises. Your top floor is likely to stay warmer than your bottom floors. Spend most of your time there until your heater is working to enjoy the most comfortable indoor temperatures. If your bedrooms are upstairs, this adds an additional advantage if for some reason you need to wait for repairs until the next day.
- Build a fire: If you are lucky enough to still have a wood-burning fireplace, now is a great time to build a fire. You can get cured firewood at many stores, and it will be a good way to keep your home cozy while also providing a new center point for your household to get together. Even if you do not have a wood burning fireplace, you still have options. Gas fireplaces will sometimes work even if your heater doesn’t—unless your heater’s malfunction also involves the gas line. If you don’t have any type of fireplace, light candles. Not only do they add ambience, but they will warm your home, too.
- Use alternative heating appliances: Space heaters, electric blankets and even hot water bottles can help keep you warm as you wait for repairs. Be careful with space heaters and consider buying the models that turn off if they are knocked over. Even then, never leave them unattended. Electric blankets and heating pads also provide a good source of outside warmth if you are willing to stay in one place.
- Cook and bake: During the summer, the last thing you probably wanted to do was turn on your stove or oven. Now, in this situation, these appliances heat your home rather nicely. Some people heat up their oven and open it up an inch to help warm up, but that can be dangerous. Instead, do something a little more fun that also meets your need for heat. Consider this the perfect time to simmer a stew, bake cookies or perform any other cooking or baking extravagance so you can warm your home and satisfy your appetite.
Rapids Plumbing & Heating Inc is available for heating repair in Grand Rapids, MN anytime during the day or night. Get your home warmed up quickly by calling us for maintenance or repairs.