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With winter come’s nasty weather. You hear about it every year, “Local town has lost power during this Ice Storm”, “The whole region is out of power with no word on how long it will take to repair the line’s”.
How many of you rely solely on electric for heat? Although it does seem easier to just use space heater’s or have an HVAC system installed, they just wont do you any good during a power outage.
That is why this week I wanted to tell you how to heat your house when the power goes out!
Wood burning stove
The most effective heat source would be a wood burning stove. They require no electricity. What they do is radiate the heat outward.
I remember growing up with a wood burning stove, they were excellent for heating the house up, sometimes too excellent. They can sure put out some heat!
The only downside to a wood burning stove is having to store the wood. Now, if you have the ability to cut down trees on your own property to use for the stove, you’ll be better off.
I know some places the price for a rick of wood is outrageous. The price can vary depending on the type of wood and if it is seasoned or not.
It is best to stock up on the wood before there is a big need for it. You can also use wood pellet’s in place of wood, but a log of wood burns longer than pellet’s.
Gas range
If you have a natural gas or propane range in the kitchen, you can just crank the oven up and leave the door open. It won’t help much with circulating the heat throughout the house since that requires a fan, but it will put out some heat.
On a side note, If you do this with an electric stove when your house is cold and you still have electric but just cant warm the house up, use the above method for the gas stove’s sparingly.
If you do it a lot with the electric stove, you will shorten the lifespan of the heating element and will cost you more in repairs. Now I have done that before, years ago it seems and I ended up burning through the elements fast.
That is why I don’t suggest using an electric range to heat the house up when you have electricity.
Block access to parts of the house
If you don’t have a wood burning stove, there are other ways to keep warm. You will want to close off area’s of the house that won’t be in use. This will help keep heat in where it is needed.
One thing that you can do is use a thick blanket and pin it up any open walkway’s like a hallway entrance or doorway. It doesn’t have to touch the floor, but if you can make sure you cover the top part and get it as close to the floor as possible, you’ll be better off.
You can also use some plastic sheeting. You can buy rolls of it at most superstores or hardware store’s. I would also buy some small, thin but long stick of wood. This would help create a better seal.
If you have drafty window’s you might want to cover them up with the plastic.
Mr. Heater Indoor propane heater
This portable indoor propane heater will heat up to 225 square feet. It is clean burning and almost 100% efficient. The auto shut-off will activate if the unit is knocked over, if it detects decreased oxygen levels, or if the pilot light goes out.
Hot water!
Depending on the situation, you might be out of power but the pump station’s that pump the water to your location, might still have power. If so, you can use hot water.
Now this work’s best with a natural of other gas powered water heater, but even electric water heater’s will maintain heat for some time, depending on how high you have it cranked up.
What you can do is fill the bath tub up with hot water. You can also do this for the sink’s as well. This will help to maintain some heat in the house.
You can also drink that water if need be, I would either clean the tub and sink’s out before you fill them up, or filter the water before you drink it.
Terracotta pot and a candle
I’m sure you have heard of this trick before, but it is often over looked. Although it isn’t the most effective heat source, it can still put out some heat.
What you do is get a small candle and a large terracotta pot that you would use for your plant’s, and a small brick or cinder block.
You will want the small brick or cinder clock to act as a buffer from the carpet/floor and the flame. Remember that anytime you use an open flame you can create dangerous level’s of carbon monoxide.
You will light the candle and place the terracotta pot upside down over the candle, making sure that you don’t let it rest all the way to the floor because this would starve the fire.
Let the sun shine through!
If you didn’t have to cover your window’s because of extra breezy draft’s then you can open up your blind’s and let the sun shine through.
You can use dark colored blanket’s to help catch the heat from the sun. You know how it is if you wear a black shirt out to work in the summer heat, you get hot fast.
This will also do the same, it will help maintain some heat in the room/area.
These are to help you stay warm
Drink warm liquids
If you can drink some warm liquids like fresh tea, hot cocoa, soup or even just warm water it will help you to stay warm. Try to avoid any cold drink’s.
One thing that you want to avoid all together when you are in cold environment’s is alcohol. Alcohol makes you feel warmer, but it actually thins your blood and you can lose more body heat that way.
Layering your clothes
This is something that won’t necessarily keep your house warm, but it will help keep you warm.
Put an extra pair of sock’s on. You know that when your feet turn cold, it is harder for you to maintain your body heat.
Another major heat loss is through your head. If you can, wear a cap or beanie to help keep the warmth in.
Cuddle up to mans best friend!
Dog’s have a higher normal body temperature than us human’s. They range from 101°F to 102°F. So if you do in fact have a dog, they can help keep you warm in time’s of need.
Cat’s on the other hand, their temperature ranges from 99.5°f to 102.5°f. Some cat’s like to cuddle, but other’s don’t.
I’ve never seen a dog that didn’t want to cuddle.
Hand warmers
These can be good if you feet or hands get cold and you don’t have any other way to heat them up. I have used them numerous time’s myself and they are great to have!
You should also have some in your winter vehicle kit.
Exercise
When you get that blood pumping, it helps circulate the warmth. Now if you are in poor health and are not able to do much in the way of exercising, then I wouldn’t.
The last thing you need in a bad situation is to have a medical emergency.
I’m curious as to what you have done to heat up the house when the power goes out? Be sure to leave a comment below so I can maybe learn a thing or two from your experience.