Below Zero Weather

Tuesday through Thursday we all will experience temperatures and wind chills that our
homes’ heating systems are NOT designed for. -20 to -30-degree temperatures with wind
chills into -40 and up to -50+.
Newer homes will struggle to maintain temperature and older homes will NOT maintain
temperature and the temperature WILL drop while the heating system is working at full
capacity.

1. Please raise the temperature in your home on Monday, 2 to 4 degrees above your
normal setting.
2. Take all programmable thermostats out of setback mode and set on a permanent HOLD.
3. If you have a furnace; replace the filter.
4. Keep garage doors closed.
5. Limit opening exterior doors.
6. Make sure air vents and radiators are not blocked or obstructed.
7. If you have a 90%+ furnace and boiler: You must keep the intake and exhaust clear of ice
and snow. During these cold temperatures, ice can build up. A 90%+ furnace and boiler
have 2 white PVC pipes; an exhaust pipe and an intake pipe that are generally on the side
or back of your home. In some instances, they are on your roof, do NOT go on your roof to
clear the pipe.

If the temperature in your home is dropping and your radiators are HOT with boiler
systems or you have HOT air coming out of your vents with furnaces DO NOT PANIC.
Please make sure that your heating system continues to operate.
If the temperatures drop in your home, it will not be able to recover until temperatures
rise and the wind-chill diminishes. Our heating systems cannot overcome temperatures
-20 to -30 with wind chill up to -50+. They are sized to operate at 0 degrees outdoor. Put
your thermostat on hold 70 degrees or higher.

To help minimize temperature loss you can boil water, make soup, or stews; they help
introduce humidity and warmer temperatures into your home. DO NOT USE YOUR OVEN
or a GRILL TO HEAT YOUR HOME. Please check on neighbors and elderly residents during
these extreme temperatures. Stay warm and safe this week and share this with any of
your family and friends.