A furnace is one of the most important appliances in our homes, yet we don’t think about it until it breaks.
The average furnace lasts between 20 and 30 years. But, it’s not unusual for your furnace to start needing more repairs around the 15 year mark.
While regular tune-ups can keep your furnace in better shape, your furnace can still wear out over time. It could fail suddenly leaving your family cold and shivering.
Is your heat not working and you’re not sure what to do? Keep reading to learn how to stay warm while you wait for furnace repairs.
1. Bundle Up
When the heat is out, one of the easiest ways to get warm is to put on more clothes. It will help you retain your body heat. It’s best to use layers so you can easily take pieces off if you get too warm.
Start with a snug-fitting under layer like leggings or a long-sleeved running shirt. Then add a thick sweater and sweatpants, cozy socks, and your slippers. If you’re still cold, put on a hat or a scarf.
If you’re still cold, make a blanket fort. The warmth from your body and breath will create a warm shelter. Plus, it’s a fun activity that the kids will love.
2. Seal Off One Room
Another way to stay warm is to limit you and your family to one room of your house. The smaller the space, the easier it will be to keep the warmth inside. Plus, since you’re combining your family’s body heat the room will feel warmer.
Pick a room with lower ceilings that has a door you can close. Think a master bedroom, a guest room, or a den. Bring extra pillows, blankets, games, or books to keep your family entertained and comfortable while you wait for heating repairs.
To make the room even warmer, cover the floor with rugs or blankets. It will keep your feet warm as you walk across the floor and it will help insulate the room.
3. Light Some Candles
Candles aren’t just for when the power goes out. They also give off heat and add a sense of coziness, which is perfect when you’re trying to stay warm.
Just make sure to keep the candles out of reach of kids or pets. Don’t place them near curtains or blankets either. Plus, you should never leave candles unattended.
If your home has a fireplace, use it! If it’s a wood burning fireplace, make sure the flue is open and you stick to dried wood. Remember that some items like magazines, cardboard, or treated lumber aren’t safe to burn in a fireplace.
4. Cook a Meal
Your stove and oven give off a lot of heat that can keep you warm. Plus, eating a comforting meal will warm you from the inside out. That’s why cooking a meal or baking is a great way to warm up your home.
Gather your family around the kitchen and let everyone help with the preparation. The activity will keep your mind off of the temperature. As the food cooks, the cozy aroma will warm everyone up.
If you used the oven, turn it off but leave the oven door open. The warmth will fill the kitchen for at least an hour.
5. Get Moving
If you’re still shivering, try to move around to get your blood pumping. Movement will help to raise your core body temperature so you’ll feel warmer.
Play some music and have an impromptu dance party. It will lighten the mood and help everyone feel a little warmer. Plus, the extra body heat will warm up the room
You can also do some light exercise to warm up. Try doing some yoga, a few pushups, or just jogging in place. It will help relieve some stress and warm up your muscles.
6. Use a Hot Water Bottle or Heating Pad
Hot water bottles and heating pads aren’t just for injuries and pain relief. They can also help warm you up when your heater is not working.
If you don’t have a heating pad or a water bottle, you can also make a rice warmer bag. All you need is some fabric, thread, and dried rice, beans, or corn. Once you’ve sewn a pouch, put it in the microwave for a few minutes and you have a DIY heating pad.
In a pinch, you can use an old pillowcase instead. Make sure to secure the top so the rice doesn’t come out.
7. Block Drafty Windows and Doors
If you’ve ever sat near a drafty window, you know how cold it can feel. If your heat’s not working, blocking drafts around doors and windows can make a huge difference.
You can use spare blankets or bath towels to block the draft at the bottom of a door. You can also do the same thing for your windows. Roll up a towel and place it on the window ledge.
If you have a spare plastic shower curtain, you can hang it in front of the window. During the day, the sunlight will warm the room but the shower curtain will keep cold drafts out.
Is Your Heat Not Working? Call for Repairs Right Away
Waking up to a cold house is one of the most frustrating issues a homeowner can deal with. You’ve lost your sense of security as well as your comfort.
You might wonder, ‘Is my heat not working?’ and feel a sense of panic set in. It’s even worse when it’s in the middle of the night or on the weekend.
Luckily, we can help. At Anton’s Plumbing, Heating/Cooling and Energy Experts , we offer 24/7 repairs to the St. Louis area. Contact us today if you’re in need of St. Louis heating and HVAC repairs.
