5 Alternatives For When Your Home Furnace Breaks
If you are looking for the perfect time to get a new furnace, this might be it. The average lifespan of a home furnace is about 15 years. However, when there are issues with your current one, it can cause some major problems in your life. If your home furnace breaks down and you don’t have any other options available to heat your house then here are 5 alternatives that will help keep you warm until you can fix the issue with the old furnace.
What To Do When Your Furnace Breaks Down
It’s always a good idea to stay on top of your home maintenance and keep an eye out for any issues that may arise. If you do notice any problems, it’s important to call the professionals as soon as possible so they can get everything taken care of before something more serious happens. One problem you don’t want to overlook is your furnace. If there are signs that it might be broken or malfunctioning, make sure to contact an HVAC company right away so they can come to check things out and see if repairs need to be done. When we’re cold and in need of heat, we’ll do just about anything. If you want to avoid a cold house and the high energy bills that come with it, here are five alternatives for when your home furnace breaks down:
1. Wood Stove
Wood stoves are an inexpensive alternative to electric furnaces, and they’re perfect for when you’re trying to cut energy costs. They need a firebox and chimney piping which can be expensive if your home wasn’t built with them in mind, but it’s definitely worth the investment if you want to save money on heating bills once winter rolls around. If you don’t have enough room in your house for one of these appliances though, this isn’t going to work out too well.
2. Space Heater
A space heater is a good alternative when your home furnace breaks. A space heater uses the same heating element to produce heat in enclosed spaces, so it will provide warmth for you and your family members if they are in one room of the house or apartment. There are several types of space heaters available on market today, electric radiant, fan forced, convection with built-in humidifier/dehumidifier features, infrared quartz tube (which provides clean air due to its lack of filters), and many more. Make sure that there are at least three feet between any combustible materials such as paper towels and furniture carpets because some models can emit flames. Also, remember that all models require an electrical outlet within three feet of the heater.
3. Portable Heater
A portable heater can be a great replacement for your furnace. They are easily moved from room to room, and if you have one with wheels, even better. Many of these heaters work by convection technology meaning that the air is pushed out at high velocity to help circulate it throughout an area quickly. The downside is that this style does not provide as much warmth as radiant heating devices like radiator-based or electric fireplace units do. If you need a temporary solution until someone can come to look at your furnace though, consider buying a small space heater for each room in which you’ll be staying during repairs instead of relying on central heating alone.
4. Fireplace
If you have a fireplace, it can be used to heat your home. If this is something that both works for your family and is doable with using up all of the firewood stocked away, then this may be an option worth looking into. Just make sure you are not burning wood treated with chemicals or insecticides as these fumes are known to be toxic. This strategy would only work if there was already a working fireplace in place before everything else broke down though. Make sure you also know how to use the fireplace correctly, otherwise even more damage could happen.
5. Temporary Heating Unit
If you need heat now and don’t want to wait for a furnace repair person, then the best option is to invest in a temporary heating unit. These units are designed specifically as an alternative if your regular system breaks down, so they will provide plenty of warmth until someone can come to fix it properly. The downside is that this may not be very cost-effective compared with other options on this list, but many people find them worth it because there isn’t any waiting involved.
We hope that this article has given you a few new ideas for how to stay warm when your furnace breaks down. If you’re not sure what the best option is, give us a call. Our team of experts will work with you to find a solution that helps keep your home at an optimal temperature throughout those cold months.
Do You Need a Home Furnace Installer You Can Trust?
Superior Mechanical Services, Inc. began in 1948 as a family-owned business with a vision to provide value-minded service with a down-to-earth approach to customers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. As the premier Commercial and Residential HVAC Service provider for Livermore, Dublin, and Pleasanton, Superior Mechanical can do it all, from heating and air conditioning services to boiler services, to plumbing services. Our technicians are certified professionals who will ensure every part of your project is done right using a careful checklist to guide and test each step. At the end of your appointment, we’ll show you how to get the most out of your new system and give you tips on maintenance so it lasts for years to come. Contact us today for amazing service tomorrow!
