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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsUPDATE....I am sooooo damned cold.. Furnace broke Saturday..54 in my house
Last edited Tue Feb 5, 2019, 01:56 AM - Edit history (2)
I called a bowling buddy of mine and her son's BFF is a HVAC contractor..She gave me his number... I called him @ he came out at 2PM today.. My NEW 120K BTU furnace will be installed TOMORROW at 10AM.. He jiggled things a bit and managed to start the old beast up.. It's been running since he left and the temp is much improved..almost 64 already...
AND he carried in two heavy boxes from CHEWY that FEDEX dropped off in my narrow carport..Bless him!!!!
Best part only 2630.00 all in
My two "furnace grate" kitties are sprawled in front of their favorite vent
...........................................................................................
This next week is supposed to be the coldest yet..
We have had our furnace fixed 3 times since May, and apparently it's got to be replaced..
I am so afraid of being ripped off.. My husband was always the one who knew enough about everything..
I am afraid of trying to fix it again.. It's already cost $1400..motor..blower..gas jet thingie...some relay switch..
This what sucks about being new somewhere.. In SoCal, I would know just whom to call..
Pray for me
Liberty Belle
(9,535 posts)warming a stone and putting it at the foot of your bed to help keep your feet warm.
Take a hot bath or shower and then bundle up. Warm clothes in a clothes dryer if you have one.
Keep your feet and head warm to avoid losing body heat -- so extra thick socks, boots or slippers, and a stocking cap.
Open the oven door when done cooking and let the heat help warm the kitchen.
If you have one of those microwaveable wraps to put around your neck, use it.
Snuggle up with pet dogs, cats or both.
Keep some hot liquids in a thermos - soup, tea, etc.
Take a drive in your car and crank up the heat.
If you have a down comforter or jacket, use them.
Exercise will warm you up -- running in place, jumping jacks, etc.
A heating pad or electric blanket can help.
You can buy a portable room heater but be careful not to put it on or near anything flammable.
When our heater went out a few years ago for a week or two until we could get a new one, we used many of these tricks.
SoCalDem
(103,856 posts)and I have on a flannel nightgown and a big ole sweater
I'll pretend I'm camping
sdfernando
(4,945 posts)Used electric oil heaters (like steam radiators) in 2 rooms until we got it fixed.
Used ASI Hastings for repair. Good experience with them.
still_one
(92,422 posts)work or who know for recommendations.
In the meantime, to get you through the night you might consider an electric blanket, double layering, etc.
You have to be careful with floor electric heaters. I think it is required now if they tip over they automatically shut off, still you have to make sure they are not close to anything that can easily catch fire.
The decision you need to make is continue to try to fix the current furnance, or buy a new one. Either way you should get recommendations from friends and associates, and ideally get at least a few estimates.
Until this gets resolved you may need to consider staying with friends, relatives, or motel.
Sorry what you are going through
I wish we got off that easily.
We got 5 estimates. 4 of them were within about 1000 bucks of each other. We're well over 10K on this project. On the plus side, we're saving 80 cents a day on gas.
still_one
(92,422 posts)seems pretty excessive to me
https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/heating-and-cooling/install-a-furnace/
still_one
(92,422 posts)akraven
(1,975 posts)Start with undies, add long johns, add flannel, add jeans, and up top? Silk is a terrific insulator then add tank and flannel shirt. On top, a fleece vest. Then a good parka. At least 3 pair of socks.
HUGS SoCalDem from Alaska. If all the above isn't effective enough, blankets and quilts help, especially if they're wool.
I've slept outside at 30 below in just what I described.
NutmegYankee
(16,201 posts)I kept a 1500 sq ft house bearable in New England for two days till the new control board arrived. Most are rated for indoor use - Japan uses them extensively since most homes do not have central heat.
philly_bob
(2,419 posts)which will pay for accommodations and increased food costs -- after deductible.
Big decision whether to keep fixing or simply replace furnace. After $1400, I would tend toward replacement. $3K or $4K sounds about right.
Don't forget to close off all but one or two rooms, shutting doors and hanging blankets.
You can do it. My building went through a 9-day heat outage after a boiler fire -- during recent winter storm. It was livable.
Good luck!
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)getting ripped off. Where are you located now? What is the temp there and inside your house? If you have a landlord, they have to take care of it for you.
My place is pretty cold too, but I like it like this. I just use lots of warm blankets and down comforters. I like the cold air at night.
SoCalDem
(103,856 posts)Chilly !
diane in sf
(3,919 posts)Theyre available on Amazon with cute flannel covers for around $10. You can put in your lap in the daytime and your bed at night.
Fla Dem
(23,765 posts)Also I believe you mentioned you've had some contact with your neighbors. Would you ask any of them for references?
SoCalDem
(103,856 posts)to be nearer to our only grandchild. Her Mom & our son are no longer a couple, so we don't get to see her that often....
A friend did offer me a warm place to stay, but it's bearable, so I'm staying with my kitties.
Bundling up is working so far...My friend's son is sending someone by at 2PM..
fingers crossed
My husband was always in charge of fix-it projects.. Now that he's gone, it;s up to me, and is a bit daunting..
Fla Dem
(23,765 posts)IcyPeas
(21,910 posts)Or an electric throw. I lay on my sofa with a cozy warm fleece electric throw and it's delightful. Use that bed bath and beyond coupon.
haele
(12,681 posts)Whenever we have problems, we have the gas company come out and look at it.
Seriously, they're usually able to identify minor issues up front, and if nothing else, can take care of any obvious issues, like a dirty pilot component or something like that free of charge - if there is nothing that needs replacement. If they can't do a quick fix, they'll at least ensure your furnace is safe, and the gas guy might know who's reputable in your area.
I've also had good recommendations from HomeAdvisor. com; the local HVAC company we found through them has been working with us over the past two years on our furnace and AC units, (both desperately needed replacement themselves) and has proved honest, reliable, and very reasonable - even if they don't come on time and miss their own appointments occasionally.
Make sure they check the controller circuit cards, and check the surrounding locations for open area or leaks that may be affecting that; in our situation, our furnace is situated next to our laundry room, and the dryer vent had to be re-routed because it was blowing hot, moist air against the furnace return and feeding through the HVAC system, affecting our circuit board.
If you were in the San Diego county area, I'd recommend our repair people.
Haele
NutmegYankee
(16,201 posts)I have an 80K in Connecticut.
SoCalDem
(103,856 posts)3224 up and 3224 down...counting baths (5), there are about 20 rooms (most closed off)..
Looking back, it was probably a mistake to buy this enormous house..but my husband collected pre-WWII model trains for 50 years and this was going to be his retirement project..the whole finished basement was to be train-land.. Unfortunately he died (Oct 26) before he could get it done and now I'm left with 3 rooms downstairs with train stuff to get appraised and cataloged ( our grown sons are in charge of that project)...and I basically live in 3 rooms upstairs
NutmegYankee
(16,201 posts)My Grandfather was a huge HO railroad hobbyist and had an entire Pennsylvania Railroad train yard modeled in the garage. When he died Grandma had someone take most of it away and we got the rest to keep - she wanted a warm place to park.
912gdm
(959 posts)Don't sell yourself short. You ended up doing exactly the right thing by finding someone using close personal connections. people are far more willing to help by not padding a bill when it's your friends friend.
And there is a DIY/home improvement topic where you can ask advice and describe problems like if furnace repair 3 times since may seems a little hinky.
I keep a little oil radiator in the closet in case I ever run out of propane or my furnace has issues, you can get em at Lowes for about 60 bux. They eat electricity but it's better then nothing.