Yup, that's right, this weekend – Saturday to be exact – by boyfriend's place lost heat. The furnace went "ka-put" and we came home to a condo smelling pungently of natural gas. Mmm mmm. Yum.
Like all normal people, we did all the "tweaking" we knew how to do. Shut everything off. Turn it all back on. Smells bad? Try once more. Still smells like ass? Call the gas company. In the city, that meant People's Heating and Gas who, lovingly, came out on Saturday night simply to tell us that we did not have a gas leak which we initially thought but that our blower had burnt out and that if we ran it any longer it would probably blow up. Awesome. Furnace 1: Humans 0.
Next thing normal, sane people do is sit on the internet until they find a 24 hour furnace service, because, let's face it, when it's 8 degrees outside you pretty much are willing to sell your left kidney for heating. The right one too, if desperate. That is when we found this magical little company called Four Season's Heating and Cooling - a 24/7 heating service! PERFECT! They even initially offered to come out at 3 in the morning, but we already felt like zombies and figured 8am sounded much better. When they showed up, they were great. Found out our blower and capacitor were both out and that was when we discussed pricing options.
***NOTE*** furnaces need to be cleaned and checked yearly, much like you get 5-10,000 mile oil check-ups on your car. Our furnace, a 2000 model, appeared to have not been touched since installation....brilliant. New furnace anyone? Because, here's what we learned, not only did we need a new blower, but the new blower meant it was no longer compatible with the circuit breaker / electrical set-up....aka more money. All this means that it might be time to just say "screw it" and man up to a new furnace. Some new furnaces even come with tax credits because they meet government standards of efficiency. Plus, the company amortizes the payments over four years, which is the standard payment option, and if you opt to pay in less, you get a discount. Might be worth rechecking the budget...
Otherwise, I have discovered the newfound puppy-love of a little thing called a space-heater. I always loved them, but it's amazing how wonderfully potent those little guys can be in a studio apartment! Also, although I don't have one, I imagine a snuggie would have also been highly welcomed. Mmmm warmth. So, here's to all you warm folk, basking in your furnace's capabilities and powerful hum, and may it keep working until next year.
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