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Cold weather has increased the number of furnaces needing repair in Medicine Hat

Dec 27, 2017 | 4:00 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB. – The cold weather has caused a number of furnaces to stop working in several homes in Medicine Hat.

Debi Hoefling woke up Christmas morning to find her furnace had stopped working. It was only eight degrees Celsius inside her home. Since then, a gas fireplace in her living room has been her only source of heat.

“I have two pets, I was able to keep them warm,” she said. “The last couple of nights I have been sleeping in my living room by the fireplace.”

Hoefling also has a small space heater to offer extra warmth.

“I huddled around that with blankets, coats and socks on,” she explained. “That’s the way I spent Christmas Day.”

Baumann’s Ventilation and Plumbing is going to repair Hoefling’s furnace. Clayton Baumann said the company is responding to over 50 homes as of Wednesday experiencing furnace problems.

“As soon as the cold weather hits they work a little harder,” he explained. “Then all the little problems that don’t (normally) show up, show up when they’re working harder.”

Baumann said if homeowners notice any changes in their furnace, it could indicate a problem.

“Different noises that come from the furnace,” he explained. “You’ll hear belts or bearings squealing or grinding a little bit and that’s something to keep in mind, you might need to service.”

Hoefling said she did not have any indication her furnace was going to stop working during the coldest stretch of the year, but she is grateful it will be repaired soon.