Bad things happen when you least expect them. Everything is fine and dandy when, all of a sudden, the boiler stops working. You’re left with no heating or hot water, which can be a serious problem if you’re in the middle of the winter. The boiler is likely to break down during the coldest months of the year, but there’s no guarantee that it won’t cause problems at any point of the year. It might be a few days until the local boiler technician comes to fix it. So, what do you do in the meantime? If you don’t want to freeze to death, consider the following solutions. Chances are that you haven’t even thought about them. This blog will teach you about how to stay warm during a boiler breakdown.
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Add some layers
You can almost feel the cold air on your skin. If this is the case, you should put some clothes on. Until the boiler is fixed, you have no choice but to put on an extra set of clothes. This way, you’ll keep warm and avoid a nasty cold. Wear good-fitting gloves and put on a pair of long pants. Toss a hoodie over the t-shirt you’re wearing and don’t forget about socks. This should make you feel comfortable and warm. The extra layers will help you regulate body temperature, having insulating properties that trap the warmth the body generates.
With no central heating available, the only thing you can count on is insulation. It’s also a good idea to get out the blankets and towels. They’ll come in handy as you can cozy up and warm yourself. After you get over the initial feel of coldness, the blankets and towels will do their job and you’ll take advantage of their benefits. Indeed, you’ll feel colder when you first step outside, but don’t worry because the clothes will keep the cold air away from your skin. If you master the basics of layering, you’ll be warm inside and outside.
Get an electric heater
Since you can’t possibly get hot water from your boiler, get an electric heater. The temperature in your home will slowly begin to decline and you’ll soon feel the chill in the air. Instead of experimenting with alternative heat sources, go and buy an electric heater. This type of heating is relatively easy to install and it can work independently. You have complete control over the room temperature and energy usage, unlike a boiler. Indeed, you have to make an upfront investment, but how else are you going to protect your home from freezing?
Make sure the windows and doors are shut at all times so that the warm air doesn’t escape. When the warm air escapes your home, you pay for the energy to go to waste. Plus, it will be harder to warm up the home. Don’t place the electric heater in a high-traffic area because it poses tripping hazards. Carefully inspect the device to make sure that the connections aren’t loose. If the components are worn or damaged, don’t use the heater at all because you’re putting your life and that of your loved ones at risk.
Rent a mobile boiler
Stay calm so that you can solve the problem faster. If you didn’t contact your insurance company by now, don’t waste any more time. The boiler has broken down and only an experienced engineer can fix it. While the heating appliance is being repaired, get a temporary replacement. Temporary boilers provide great cost savings. There’s no upfront cost, meaning that you won’t be charged for the installation. The cost depends on the size, brand, and payment duration. There’s no reason to threat because you won’t be digging deep into your pockets. The temporary boiler will allow you to maintain heat and hot water supply throughout the crisis.
As a rule, temporary boilers range in heating capacity. They integrate with the existing piping and plumbing networks, so the heating system will be up and running in no time. If you’re living in rented accommodation, it’s the responsibility of the landlord to make temporary arrangements while the situation is being taken care of. They should at least arrange for temporary boiler rental. The heating appliance should be up to date and function properly; otherwise, it won’t ensure a constant and reliable source of heat. With that in mind, get in touch with your landlord and discuss the situation.
Is boiling water the answer?
If it’s impossible to get hot water from the central heating system, don’t worry because you can still boil water into a bottle and slip it under the covers. This might not be what you hoped for, but what else can you do? There are serious dangers associated with boiling water, you know. If you’re not too careful, you can hurt yourself. The burn is very dangerous because it destroys the affected tissues and cells. If you attempt to use it for washing or bathing, make sure to combine the hot water with cold water. There will be a transfer of energy from hot to cold. Some people say that drinking hot water is good for your health, but you shouldn’t pay attention to that nonsense.
All in all, you hope that the boiler will last a lifetime and it won’t ever let you down. Boiler breakdowns aren’t uncommon and, more often than not, they’re caused by age. Arrange for an engineer to come take a look at the heating appliance. Maybe you don’t have to buy a new one. If there’s a problem with the thermostat or the condensation pipe, it can easily be fixed. It’s just that you’ll have to wait a little while. If you do experience a boiler breakdown, it’s recommended to abstain from fixing it yourself. You don’t know what you’re doing, not to mention that it’s illegal.
Do your best to retain the heat in the home. Keep windows and doors closed, use draft excluders, and make sure to cover all the gaps. Layer yourself up. This is the best time to use your thermal undies. Most importantly, don’t despair. Life will get back to normal soon enough. Until it does, learn to protect yourself from the cold.
