my furnace just went and i can't afford a new one. What can I do?

Question

We live in the snowbelt and our furnace went. I cannot get financed for a new one. What can I do?

we had it tested and the furnace was cracked and it was shooting out carbon monoxide. plus the part that broke costs almost as much as buying a new furnace. we have to have a new one... its not something we can fix ourselves.
As for the person who stated about priorities... yes we own a computer that has nothing to do with priorities about getting financed for a new furnace. My credit isn't perfect. We had made mistakes in the past but my credit has improved. It just isn't good enough yet. But i guess it was good enough for me to buy this house 2 months ago. That is kinda funny if you think about it. I bought our first house 2 months ago, i bought a new vehicle last year, all the payments made on time and yet i cannot get financed for a $2500 furnance in the dead of winter. Go Figure!!!

Answer 1

he has a cracked heat exchanger, he really does need a new furnace, never tell someone to fix it themself, you need a licenced technician to do the work. if he were to do something wrong and blow up his house the insurance company wouldn't cover him. just get a couple of electric heaters that plug into the wall. I 100% recommend an Oil-Filled Radiator Heater ( http://www.rewci.com/deoilfirahe.html ) they work great. Everyone I tell about these love em. My brothers has to get a new furnace, and I let him borrow my Oil-Filled Radiator until the guys come out to install his new furnace, and he can't believe how much heat this thing throws off. I just seen one in a flyer the other day for $40. My brother put one in his living room, and it heated up his dining room and kitchen too. so he bought another one that is heating up most off his basement. you can throw a fan behind it too, to help spread the heat.

Answer 2

I am in the same situation right now and have been using my oven as a heater along with a couple of fans to move the warm air throughout the house(good thing it's a small house). I was told that if I contact my utility company, they will come out and fix the furnace and just add it to my utility bill. You can also go out and get a couple of space heaters(only if you don't have small kids running around) or some other type of small room heaters that use oil or something like that for fairly cheap until you can figure something out. But I'm pretty sure your utility company would do it, especially because it's winter time. Good luck cuz I know how you feel.

Answer 3

You can go to the library and start reading up on how to fix furnaces. For a start look for the "Readers Digest DIY Manual".
Even if you can't learn enough to fix it, you will be better informed at not get fleeced getting it fixed.
There's a good chance its either thermocouple or a loosewire.

If the prospect of fixing it yourself is too daunting and you cannot afford the cost, another option is to try trade services with someone who does - for example you could offer cooking and/or cleaning services to a bachelor contractor.

Answer 4

Our furnace went out one winter and we used the gas stove to stay warm-we were terrified it was history, then the gas man came and said 'I think if you take it apart and clean it, it will work' So, I came home from work, my hubby looked like a raccoon-soot everywhere, but he cleaned out the furnace. Then he redid the wiring and called an electrician who charged us only $35 to say yes you did it right. That furnace was 18 yrs old.

Answer 5

Priorities......you own a computer and are surfing the net and cant get financing for a furnace? Your mortgage holder will give you a loan if you tell them the pipes will freeze and everything will be ruined. Remember, its not your house its theirs.

Answer 6

Find out whats wrong and fix it yourself. Time we americans took control of our lives like our ancestors did.. Post on here what is wrong so advice on how to fix can be given.

Answer 7

your utility companty may provide one for monthly payments good luck