It is 7 degree and my furnace broke

[cluckcluck42]

We ran out of oil a few weeks ago during a freak warm spell. Boy did I feel lucky! Right now it is -12032932, it is so flipping cold.

 

[Redcatcher]

If you run out of heating fuel in an emergency, you can go to the local gas station and get diesel No. 2. Same thing. 5-10 gallons can get you going for awhile.

 

[Redcatcher]

Last year about this time, a tropical front came in and it was 70* F for a night. 30's is normal for here for this time of year.

 

[MyKidLuvsGreenEgz]

I feel for you! Just last week we got a cord of firewood for when the elec goes out (we get lots of snow here in Colorado so yeah, it'll go). We also have propane, and electricity. The well is an electric pump so when the electricity goes out, we're without water AND heat ... both run on electricity. Stupid.

Gotta love the fireplace tho! Can't wait until we can afford solar panels, a wind turbine, and put in a wood stove in the basement. (heat rises!)

Meanwhile, lots of layered clothing. Good fire. Bake bread (wonderful excuse to run the oven). Crockpot of soup (warming inside and out). YOU should sleep in the fireplace room too. Forget privacy .. think of how families survived winter 150 years ago! Padded toilet seats help that frozen hind-end thing.

You'll be fine.

 

[PineappleMama]

Wow, not to put too fine a point on it, but your A/C guy sucks.

Our furnace gave out, only in the 30-40 range here, and our guy had it fixed the next day... including a special trip to get a specific part because our POS old and cheap system can't work with the 'universal' parts that he had with him. These guys (and also my Uncles both in A/C in different companies) do NOT mess around when it comes to a family freezing or overheating in summer either. They do their job and they do it fast. Seems crazy to me that you've been freezing for three days. Is there any other A/C company in the area you could possibly call? Seems so weird to me. When our system crashed I called Uncle and he walked me through the troubleshooting, easy peasy it's the ignitor. Not that I had one of those lying around, but I felt better knowing it was a simple thing you know? When we first moved in, first time it got cold we tried turning on the furnace and... NADA. Nothing. Zilch. So called Uncle and he walked me through trouble shooting. Nothing found. So 'we' took apart the thermostat and lo and behold someone had removed the copper wire that (basically) connects the switch to the furnace... without that wire you can flip the switch all day long but the command never makes it to the furnace so no heat. I'm guessing it was our dear landlord, securing the house while empty, and forgetting to let us in on the joke... but we got it fixed, I stripped some wire from another source, wrapped around the posts, and done. Pop the face back on the thermo and we're good to go. Didn't have to freeze overnight, didn't have to call the landlord and hope for an A/C appointment. Yuppers, very nice having uncles in A/C, even if they are too far away to come running to help.

So anywho, that's why I'm wondering how it's possible that this guy hasn't figured it out yet. I mean, there are basic troubleshooting steps (assuming you've been trained that is) that lead you to the problem. Shouldn't take more than a couple hours MAX to run through them... so how's he still bumfuzzled after three days? That's making me very nervous.

 

[booker81]

Hugs!

Our furnace conked out in October or November (dead circuit board), so it wasn't too bad out. We used space heaters in the bedrooms and moved them around with us. Make sure to unplug unneeded stuff to keep from tripping breakers.

Our furnace guy had a new furnace installed and the old one out in about 4 days. We now use less than half the propane we used to, so it will pay for itself this year, after the tax credit. Well worth it.

 

[Mattemma]

Repair guy is here.Fingers crossed. My livingroom is down to 53 now.And I broke the handle to the shower this am trying to turn it own.Water is frozen in drip at the shower head.Should have looked at that first..Ooops another repair.. I can't wait to crank up the heat!!!!! 7 outside.

 

[annaraven]

Hope the furnace is fixed for you now!

Stay warm!

 

[Mattemma]

I finally have heat after 4 days of cold!

Yesterday my repair guy tried for 2+ hours to find the problem,because it wasn't the main circuit board. I asked the age of it(18),and said," I know you will keep trying,but lets just put a new one in." Dh wasn't too happy,but OMG me and the kids were! Dh can claim the furnace on tax rebate next year.

My repair man was at the house from 10am.He satarted installing the furnace at noon,and he was done by 6 or 7pm. He never charged for coming out Saturday.Never was so happy to hear those gas burners fire up!

Final temp in my bedroom was 38 degrees and 53 in the living room! We would not have made it another night.I still have to fix the shower,lol. I am just happy we have heat. The kids and I were just smiling all night long.And yes I cried again...with joy.

Turned out it was my furnace guys birthday. I gave him some eggs ofcourse and a $25 gas card.

Only old thing we have left(that might break) is the stove and AC unit. I can live without the AC

Thanks everyone for your posts!

 

[Orchid]

Quote:
I own an HVAC/Plumbing company and I agree - you need a different repairperson.

I'm glad you finally have heat, though!