Winter in Chile: Central Heating System and Roof Leaks

Winter in Chile (from May to the middle of September) can show you a beautiful view of the city of Santiago with mountains with snow on top, but also unique troubles: the headaches for the use of central heating system and roof leaks.

What’s central heating system?

Central heating system (called calefacción central in Spanish) is a unique heating system that uses hot water, which is circulated to each unit using a dedicated boiler and valve. (The structure of central heater and the calculation of its utility bill can vary depending on each facility.)

Pros:

-Warms your rooms up gently, unlike other kinds of heaters.
-Consumes less electricity comparing to electric heaters.
-Doesn’t contaminate the air.

Cons:

-It can take longer to warm your rooms up.
-Due to its structure, roof leaks can be caused.

Tips:

-Close the windows completely while it’s turned on, though don’t forget to open the windows to freshen the air once in a while (which prevents molds).
-When you go out for a long time, make sure that it’s turned off, and if you’d like to, ask the receptionists (first floor, concerjería) to close its hot water valve while you’re out.

Roof leaks?

In Chile, the rainy season is winter, and many troubles such as roof leakage and floods are reported every year.
In case of roof leakage in our lease apartments, please follow the steps below.:

1. Talk to your receptionists

First, let your apartment’s receptionists on the first floor that you have the leakage issue, so that they can check the situation as well and place some temporary treatments.
(At this moment, please try to take pictures of the parts with leakage.)

2. Let us know

After talking to your building’s receptionists, please let us know via email (operaciones@mitani-holding.com), as well.
After we complete the procedure (estimating the repair costs, determining who’ll be responsible to pay the costs, arranging tech personnels to repair, etc.) we will get back to you to arrange the visit (with our staff, if needed).

Also, for defects in general (exclusively in our lease housings), we provide post-sales services. For details, please check this page.

For further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.