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Our state’s harsh winters can bring extreme cold, heavy snowfall, and power outages. So for Mainers, having a secondary heat source is the only way to make sure your home and your family stay warm and safe when temperatures plummet. Here’s why every household should have a backup plan when it comes to heating.
Winter storms in Maine can bring heavy snow, ice, and high winds. We’re no strangers to power outages that can last for hours or even days. If your primary heat source relies on electricity – such as a heat pump or electric furnace – you could be left in the cold when the lines go down.
Maine is no stranger to subzero temperatures, and prolonged exposure to the cold can lead to frostbite and hypothermia, especially for young children, the elderly, and pets. We usually think of these maladies as problems from being outside in the cold, but sadly, every year people die in their houses in Maine from hypothermia. When your primary heating system fails, indoor temperatures can drop rapidly. Within 24 hours, it can be freezing, making it uninhabitable for people and pets, and lethal for water and heating pipes. A secondary heat source is essential for keeping your home liveable and safe.
Furnaces, boilers, and heat pumps are mechanical systems that can break down – often at the worst possible time. A malfunctioning control panel, clogged fuel line, or a broken blower motor could leave you without heat, without warning. Repairing or replacing a heating system in the middle of winter can be costly and time-consuming. Having a backup heating option in your home guarantees you can stay in your home, nice and warm while waiting for repairs.
Many Maine homes rely on oil or propane for heat. During particularly harsh winters, fuel deliveries can be delayed due to demand, road conditions, or supply chain issues. Sometimes, financial issues make ordering a tank of oil impossible. If you run out of heating fuel and can’t get an immediate delivery, a secondary heat source can provide temporary warmth until your tank is refilled.
Heating oil and propane prices fluctuate, sometimes dramatically. If prices of the fuel you are using soar, having an alternative heat source to use – like a wood stove – can help reduce heating costs and ease the financial burden during peak winter months.
Mainers are resilient and prepare for the unexpected. Just as people keep emergency kits, stock up on food, and have backup generators, having a secondary heat source is part of being ready for whatever winter throws your way. Knowing you have an alternative way to heat your home provides peace of mind and safeguards you from something as disruptive as a broken heating system.
If you’re considering adding a backup heat source, we can give you a few reliable options. We talk more about this in our BLOG, Don’t Gamble with the Cold: Why a Backup Heat Source is So Important or you can just CONTACT US with questions or for a FREE quote!