Why should I keep my building heated if it's not being occupied because of COVID?

2/23/2021 (Permalink)

If you experienced a water damage due to a frozen pipe, Call SERVPRO of Arnold/North Jefferson County at 636-296-6813.

In February 2021, the country experienced some extreme winter weather and bitterly cold conditions. Jefferson County was no exception. With the wind chill--and even regular temperatures--in the negative digits for days, along with ice and snow, we dealt with some hazardous conditions.

Nonetheless, our crews did as best as they could, due to road conditions, to serve customers with emergency services. 

The cold weather is the culprit of frozen pipes bursting and causing water damages throughout residential and commercial structures. Because a lot of commercial buildings are not occupied by employees or customers on a regular basis due to COVID restrictions, it makes sense to try and save on the heating and electric bill by turning the heat down or off, in some cases. However, doing so, exposes the structure to even colder weather than it would normally endure with heat running. Therefore, pipes freeze and burst more frequently.

Why should I keep my building heated if it's not being occupied because of COVID?

By keeping the heat in your structure at a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit, it aids in keep your pipes warm enough not to freeze in most cases. However, there are always variables like the material of the pipes, location to exterior walls, and amount of insulation that play a factor. Even if the building is unoccupied, keep in mind that your heating bill for keeping the structure properly heated will be much less than a water damage caused by frozen pipes. So do your part, and keep the heat running.