Anyone know who to call on Xmas eve for a heat emergency?

Submitted by petalesdejuin t3_zuecgg in philadelphia

Our heat typically works but of course this morning our thermostat decided to shit out - we’ve done everything from trying to reset it to putting in brand new batteries. You can’t open it up to get to the exposed part it seems like it’s sealed shut somehow and now our heat won’t turn on.

We’ve called the landlord (Michael singer real estate ) and the emergency line - no answer (probably because it’s Christmas Eve)

311 can take weeks - any idea on what to do?

EDIT: - I’m not sure how but this thermostat decided to start working? And now the heat is working. Thank you all for your kind suggestions and support!! Happy holidays!

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Rare_Examination_674 t1_j1il4zs wrote

My advice is to invest in a few space heaters to ride out the holiday.

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liquidbluenight t1_j1im0mt wrote

If you’re using more than one, make sure each space heater is on a different circuit, otherwise you’ll keep overloading the circuit and tripping breakers.

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petalesdejuin OP t1_j1in39m wrote

Oooh thank you for this!!

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eapocalypse t1_j1iw7ck wrote

And do not use surge protectors or extension cords with space heaters, you'll start a fire.

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Zhuul t1_j1jwdt3 wrote

God I wish extension cords just said how many watts/amps they can handle instead of this asinine American Wire Gauge nonsense

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Cobra800089 t1_j1klllt wrote

They do. They have a tag on them that specifies how many watts they're good for if it's not molded into the plastic.

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youngbuck215 t1_j1jhk15 wrote

Damn I wish I knew this a few years ago... this is a great tip.

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ozzyg1262 t1_j1jb2di wrote

And make sure to save the receipts and have the landlord foot the bill if you have to purchase anything

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sunmi_siren t1_j1iob0u wrote

Notify your landlord in writing (text or email) so you have proof of when you first informed him. Chances are he won’t be able to get the heat fixed until Monday or Tuesday. Small space heaters can go a long way, I have one that’s maybe a foot tall and it can heat up the whole bedroom.

Maybe discuss him putting you up in a hotel - my landlord actually did that for us last week when our plumbing completely broke. He told us to deduct the costs from our next rent check.

Tenants in PA have a right to heat in the winter so don’t be afraid to be pushy about it

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eapocalypse t1_j1iwh4i wrote

They absolutely have a right to heat, but they also have to have a reasonable amount of time to get shit fixed you can't immediately start escrow or something. Given the holiday, it's going to be tough to get someone out for a repair.

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sunmi_siren t1_j1iymld wrote

Yes, that’s why I said to notify the landlord in writing so that there’s proof of exactly when they told him about the issue, and to get space heaters in the meantime. If you read the link I provided, a “reasonable amount of time” to get heat fixed is as quick as 1-2 days. So because of the holidays, they should not be afraid to push the landlord to get it fixed on Monday or Tuesday.

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mikebailey t1_j1jlfzi wrote

It’s going to maybe be expensive to get someone out (not OP’s issue) but there are absolutely people fixing heat in the holiday season

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barchueetadonai t1_j1kx466 wrote

In this weather, there’s no reasonable amount of time.

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eapocalypse t1_j1lrk55 wrote

That's nice, I mean the law doesn't specify weather conditions and honestly it sounds like op just had a thermostat problem which is easily fixable

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PhillyPanda t1_j1impn4 wrote

I’d rent a hotel room and send them the bill.

I wish I could help - my building has no heat/hot water currently and my building is offering to reimburse if we go to the Element on chestnut, I’m not home but can’t think of a good way for you to take my “spot.”

If you go there and your landlord doesn’t reimburse, I’ll send it to mine lol.

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petalesdejuin OP t1_j1in2bi wrote

This is honestly so sweet thank you very much!! We have space heaters that are running currently my biggest fear is tomorrow we won’t be home and we have 2 cats that will be left in the apartment - I’m worried about leaving them in the cold :(

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liquidbluenight t1_j1iws5d wrote

It seems like you’re already considering this, but just in case, please don’t leave space heaters running unattended, especially with cats around, as this is a fire risk. Hope you find a safe and warm solution! Sorry you’re having to deal with this over the holidays…

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Fshtwnjimjr t1_j1jr6ia wrote

If the cats are a worry I'd put several blankets on a box or over a chair and stick their water or food in or nearby. Cats tend to love hiding anyway so they should cave up in there. Blanket or their cat bed on the floor too if they have one

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actualcorpse t1_j1kaz08 wrote

If you’re in a facebook group for your neighborhood, you might be able to find someone to watch the cats. I would offer if I was in town this weekend :( best of luck

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blowjob215 t1_j1jr63r wrote

Here’s a WILD idea: maybe, just maybe, change your plans for the holiday and stay home with your cats so you can keep the space heaters on and they don’t freeze. Or, you know, just carry on as normal, and leave the cats to freeze to death in your place instead. Happy holidays?

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petalesdejuin OP t1_j1jri90 wrote

The name checks out it seems.

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[deleted] t1_j1js689 wrote

[removed]

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petalesdejuin OP t1_j1jse9p wrote

Lol either way i have no idea what the fuck you’re talking about i don’t care about what dick you suck or how many dude

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porkchameleon t1_j1j8j9l wrote

> I’d rent a hotel room and send them the bill.

That's what renter's insurance is for, and I am pretty sure they require tenants to have it (don't remember the lease terms from the top of my head, but I had it for years).

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willacceptpancakes t1_j1ikc5b wrote

Ah that sucks you’re totally fucked. At least you don’t own the place to deal with the frozen pipes.

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thecw t1_j1iryxm wrote

Go buy a $20 thermostat at Lowe's and swap it

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petalesdejuin OP t1_j1iudug wrote

We were thinking of doing that but it looks like they painted or caulked it into the wall

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thecw t1_j1j069v wrote

Get a razor blade or a knife and cut it, it's not impenetrable, it's just lazy landlord work. The thermostat pops off its base, and there will be a plate underneath with wires going into it. Take a photo. Put the wires in the same place on the new thermostat.

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12kdaysinthefire t1_j1j99dw wrote

Who cares it’s like -8 degrees outside cut it off the wall and rip it out. You only have a small window to go and buy a new one before stores close.

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BearPhilly t1_j1j95l9 wrote

Are you sure it's the thermostat? The thermostat could be powered from the heater so that means if the breaker to the heater trips then the thermostat will be off. Check your breakers for any in the tripped position.

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porkchameleon t1_j1j96hd wrote

MSRE maintenance should be your first and last stop, since they are your landlord.

Keep blowing up their emergency line. Did you leave a message? They had dispatch back in the day that would take care of things on weekends/during holidays, but - touch wood - I didn't have to call it for years; otherwise it'd prompt you to leave a voicemail.

Do you have a phone number of the agent through whom you signed your lease (I had mine since day one)? Give them a call, they should have more info on how to contact maintenance.

Renter's insurance - do you have it? It could cover situations like that and have a hotel sorted out for you.

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rrfloeter t1_j1jhvhd wrote

Are you sure it’s just the thermostat? The furnace may be old and need replacing

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Browncoat23 t1_j1kx2ql wrote

[laughs in former Michael Singer tenant]

If their seemingly lone maintenance guy, Angelo, is still alive (he was in his 80s when I was a tenant a decade ago), he’ll MacGyver it with some chewing gum and paper clips.

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AdministrationNo9238 t1_j1mmgg9 wrote

If you have access to the furnace, you can wire it on(bypass the thermostat). Ask how on the askanHVAC (or something like that) sub

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alittlemouth t1_j1mbvab wrote

Glad it started working! Make sure you still have someone come look at it to hopefully prevent this from happening again!

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hbcadlac t1_j1k8fh4 wrote

Use the oven for some heat

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Thecrawsome t1_j1lu7xi wrote

There's posted materials about this saying it is not a good idea. Your house may become unbreathable, and you might suffocate in your sleep if you do this.

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