Minnesota Winter, and the Furnace is Fixed!

Sometime between 5 and 6 this afternoon, the furnace started generating heat: after about seven and a half days of being on the fritz. Right now, it's a delightful 75 degrees at the keyboard.

We don't normally keep it so warm, this time of year, but one of the technicians told us to set the thermostat up there for some time, to 'let the carbon burn out.' I must admit, I don't mind following that advice. This is the first time since Monday last that I haven't felt at least chilly.

The furnace isn't actually fixed, quite: there are still parts that haven't come in, but the techs installed a few things that will work well enough until the correct equipment shows up.

From what I saw, the part that had failed - spectacularly - was a sort of heat exchanger. The region that's visible without tearing the furnace apart looked fine. The rest resembled a sort of mechanical version of "The Picture of Dorian Gray."

The techs told us that they've been replacing this unit in quite a few homes around here. Which probably explains why it wasn't to be found in Alexandria or St. Cloud. Thankfully, a place in the Twin Cities had it in stock.

Apparently we came out of this rather well. Some families waited around a month and a half for the right parts to show up.

A fixed furnace featured rather prominently in our prayers of thanks tonight.

Minnesota Winter and No Furnace: Day Eight, Second Entry

It's four in the afternoon, and about a half hour ago a technician started work on the furnace. The part had arrived. And, since then, so have some others that were needed.

I like to think that, before the day is over, we'll have warm air coming through the vents. It got up to 61 here at the keyboard, but that's only comparatively warm. #3 daughter handed me a scarf to wrap around my neck today. It's a real help in keeping warm.

Minnesota Winter and No Furnace: Day Eight

This morning it was two below outside, 53 above at my computer, and a balmy 59 in the kitchen.

I am sincerely looking forward to getting the furnace fixed.

Later

It is now barely 56 at the keyboard, and I wish to make this perfectly clear:

I want to look at a thermometer and see a number that's higher than my age.

I want to see the family huddling together as an affectionate gesture, not as a heat-conservation tactic.

I want that furnace fixed.