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By Darren Rathwell

Supply chain issues hamper furnace repair in Medicine Hat

Jan 5, 2022 | 10:42 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Considering the ongoing frigid weather taking place throughout much of the prairies, local residents are being advised to take action with their furnaces.

A Medicine Hat plumbing and heating operation says the icy temperatures are taking their toll on old furnaces in particular, leaving staff to rush out to dozens of calls per day.

Supply chain issues have made the process of having furnaces fixed more difficult as well.

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“We’re trying to get every part we can. There’s not a lot of stuff in stock. The supply chain is kind of short so,” Craig Martineau, owner of Marvelous Plumbing & Heating said.

He says he tries to get to emergency calls within a few hours, but that hasn’t always been possible.

“There’s been a couple times where we got backed up that we couldn’t get to people until the next day. And they must have had trouble finding (another company) because they were still waiting for us (the next day).”

Martineau says the operation is usually called out 10 to 20 times a day, but they’re dealing with 50-plus calls each day during the cold snap.

His advice is to have your furnace inspected at least once a year by a professional.

“(Supply chain issues are) all the more reason to stay on top of things, make sure you’re on top of your furnace. And when you do replace it, replace (it) with parts that are easily available or have a good name,” he said, adding you may also want to get an electric heater as a backup, just in case you have to wait for help.