Cromwell, CT — As extreme cold temperatures continue across Connecticut, the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (CEMA) is urging residents to take proactive steps to protect their homes from frozen pipes, heating system failures, and costly damage.
According to CEMA member, John Bowman of F.F. Hitchcock Plumbing, Heating & Cooling in Cheshire, one of the most common mistakes homeowners make during severe cold is misusing their thermostats.
“A lot of people think the thermostat is like a gas pedal—the higher you turn it up, the faster the house will heat,” Bowman said. “That’s not how heating systems work. When temperatures drop below zero, your system may only be able to get the house to 60 or 65 degrees. If you turn it off while you’re away, it may never recover.”
Bowman emphasized that extreme cold is not the time to cut back on heat.
“These are not the days to save oil, electricity, or natural gas. We’d rather people be warm and safe than dealing with frozen pipes,” he said.
CEMA also advises homeowners to ensure heat can circulate freely throughout the home by keeping furniture, rugs, and drapes away from radiators and vents.
“If a radiator is blocked by a couch or a vent is covered by a rug, you’re heating the furniture—not the room,” Bowman said.
Frozen pipes often go undetected until temperatures rise and water begins to leak.
“Most homeowners don’t realize their pipes are frozen until things start to thaw,” Bowman explained. “Calling a professional early can often limit damage by isolating affected areas and preventing additional pipes from freezing.”
Additional preventive steps include flushing toilets, running sinks before bed, leaving the furthest fixture on a slow drip overnight, keeping interior doors open to allow warm air circulation, and ensuring primary heating systems remain running—even when using secondary heat sources such as wood or pellet stoves.
“Moving water freezes much slower than still water,” Bowman said. “Your primary heating system should always work in conjunction with secondary heat—not be shut off.”
CEMA reminds residents that early action can prevent thousands of dollars in damage.
“A little extra fuel now can save a lot of money and stress later,” Bowman said.
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BEFORE EXTREME COLD HITS
☐ Set thermostats to a steady temperature
• Do not turn heat off when away
• Avoid large temperature setbacks
☐ Check your heating system
• Look for leaks, drips, or unusual noises
• Address problems early—don’t wait for failure
☐ Clear heat pathways
• Move furniture, rugs, and drapes away from:
• Radiators
• Baseboards
• Vents
☐ Shut off outdoor faucets
• Turn off interior shut-off valves
• Drain remaining water if possible
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DURING EXTREME COLD
☐ Keep heat running continuously
• Systems may only reach 60–65°F in subzero weather
• Turning heat off may prevent recovery
☐ Keep interior doors open
• Allows warm air to circulate into bedrooms and bathrooms
• Helps thermostat sense true house temperature
☐ Use water daily
• Flush every toilet
• Run every sink briefly, especially before bed
☐ Drip the furthest faucet
• Leave on a slow, steady drip overnight
☐ Watch rarely used spaces
• Guest baths, spare bedrooms, finished basements
• Pipes often run through exterior walls you can’t see
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IF YOU USE SECONDARY HEAT (WOOD / PELLET STOVE)
☐ Keep primary heating system ON
• Baseboard and boiler systems rely on moving water
• Secondary heat should supplement—not replace—primary heat
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WARNING SIGNS OF FROZEN PIPES
☐ No water or reduced flow from faucets
☐ Frost on exposed pipes
☐ Unusual smells or sounds near plumbing
☐ Leaks appearing as temperatures rise
“Most pipe damage shows up when things thaw—after the cold snap.”
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IF YOU SUSPECT FROZEN PIPES
☐ Do NOT wait
☐ Call a licensed professional immediately
• Valves can often be isolated
• Systems can be drained to prevent further damage
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KEY TAKEAWAY
“A little extra heat now can prevent frozen pipes and thousands of dollars in damage later.”— John Bowman, F.F. Hitchcock, CEMA Member
About CEMA
The Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (CEMA) represents thousands of family-owned and local businesses that provide heating fuels, motor fuels, HVAC services, and energy solutions to homes and businesses across Connecticut. CEMA members are committed to consumer education, safety, and reliable energy delivery—especially during periods of extreme weather.