Alternative Heating—How to Deal With Extreme Cold

CHATTANOOGA, TN (WDEF-TV) – You may spend some time staring at your thermostat tonight.
You adjust the controls, but its still too cool in the house.
It could be the way your heater works.
And some may be tempted to use alternative heating source…and that can be trouble.

PETE COPPIT, HEATING SPECIALIST, TOTAL COMFORT HEATING & AIR "Heat pumps are designed to really work around 45-50 degrees at their peak performance.

And for residents of the Tennessee Valley, chances are that’s the kind of heating system you have.

PETE COPPIT "Once the temperature drops below that…you start losing the BTU factor in them…so by the time you get down to the weather we’re getting ready to have ..Heat pumps are almost gonna be useless."

But there’s an alternative…according to Pete Coppit who’s been in the business for more than 25 years.

PETE COPPIT "I tell people when the temperature turns off like this..they are better off to turn it over to emergency. Emergency heat…and let it run like that. They will actually use less energy that way."

TVA and local power companies are urging their customers to conserve as much power as possible tonight.They expect a record load.

PETE COPPIT "I would suggest have some sort of backup heat…this house here, although it has a heat pump …It has a propane set of gas logs…you know they can run these and actually supplement the heat pump itself."

But don’t forget the safety aspects of using propane.

PETE COPPIT "Any form of gas..natural gas, propane..needs to have a carbon monoxide detector…no more than 5 years old.. And change the batteries every year."

And keeping out the cold air to start with is still a major factor in keep your family warm this week.

PETE COPPIT "…you should close all foundation vents..to save your pipes from freezing and keep the cold air out from under your house."

That’s what’s going on with your heating system. So put on that extra sweater and make the best of it for the next couple of days—its why we call this winter.

Oh, don’t forget your outside pets. They need shelter tonight–and water that isn’t frozen.