As you probably know if your boiler, furnace or hot water heater fails this winter Arctic Air KC technicians are on hand day or night to rush to rescue. But what happens when these units are all functioning just fine but a power outage knocks them out instead? In that situation we aren’t able to be quite so helpful, but we can offer you these tried and tested tips for staying warm – and safe – should this happen to you this year.
Add to Your Emergency Kit
You probably already know that you should keep a winter emergency kit on hand to prepare for power outages but not everyone remembers that in addition to light – from candles and torches usually – and ready to eat, non- perishable snacks you should have a few provisions for warmth. Keep a few blankets downstairs where they will be easy to locate in limited light, extra sweaters (including for pets) and the fuel you need for any alternate heat sources.
Consider Adding an Alternate Heat Source
The number of alternate heat sources that can be operated – or operated safely at least – during a power outage is, admittedly, limited. Parafin or propane heaters can get the job done but can also be very dangerous to operate in the dark when the chances of them being knocked over are pretty high. Wood stoves are safer – as long as they are properly vented – but still a little on the expensive side. On the other hand they also make excellent additions to your home decor so may be worth a look next time you are at the home store.
Things you should never use as an alternate heat source in a black out situation? Standard gas stoves – as in putting the oven on and leaving the door open – portable grills or camp stoves. Not only are these easy to knock over but they can emit carbon monoxide at levels that, in the confined space you’re ‘working’ in, could prove life threatening.
Protect Your Home
With no heat, there is a risk that your pipes will freeze and freeze fast. To help prevent this, let each faucet drip a little, so that the continual flow keeps things moving. You should also try to block as many drafts as possible, under doors especially, as that will really help keep what residual heat remains in your home inside it.
An After Power Cut Check
Once the power is back there are several things you should check, especially if the outage was a long one. One of thee things is your heating system itself. Sudden power outages can cause shorts that knock HVAC systems and boilers out altogether, so if the power’s been back for a while and the house is still cold, or the water still icy then yes, that’s when it probably is time to call Arctic Air KC so that we can head out to see what might have happened and put it right ASAP.
If you have any questions about our range of services, please do not hesitate to contact us on 816-436-1000 or email us: service@arcticairkc.com. One of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will be happy to assist you in any way they can and answer all your queries.