Exploring Alternative Heat Sources to Stay Warm This Winter

Wood burning fireplace

Power outages are not uncommon here in the Ogden Valley but what if there is an extended power outage in the middle of a hard, bitterly cold winter? What would you do?

Planning ahead can make a big difference in staying warm in such a situation.

First off, what can you do to make your home more draft proof and energy efficient?

Start by identifying and sealing common sources of air leakage. Visible light under doors and windows, rattling or whistling sounds during windy conditions, and feeling moving air around fixtures are clear indicators of drafts. Use a flashlight at night to check for light leaks around doors and windows, or use a dollar bill to test for gaps under doors—pulling it out easily indicates a significant air leak. For detection, you can also use incense or a thermal leak detector to pinpoint cold spots.

Seal gaps around doors and windows using draught-excluder strips, foam, metal, or plastic seals, and brush seals for sash windows. Apply weatherstripping or a door sweep at the bottom of external doors. For larger gaps, use expanding foam or caulk, particularly for cracks less than 1/4 inch (caulk) or between 1/4 inch and 3 inches (spray foam). Ensure that all penetrations through walls, such as those for plumbing, electrical outlets, and cables, are sealed with expanding foam or wall-filler.

Some other ideas are:

• Check exhaust fans in all areas of the home and seal them with draft stoppers if necessary.

• Check fireplace and wood stove chimneys for drafts.

• Check attic hatches and seal with weatherproofing strips.

• Add insulation to areas of the home if there is none or inadequate amounts.

Now on to alternate heat sources -

A fire place or a wood stove are the two most obvious sources. If you have not already cleaned your chimneys or stove pipes it would be a good idea to have it done before winter hits. If you cannot afford to have someone come do it, there are kits that allow you to do it on your own and there are creosote logs that you can burn in your fireplace that help clean everything out. Both can be found on amazon.

If you do not have a fireplace or wood stove and do not plan on adding one to your home in the near future, there are other options.

• Mr Buddy heaters run off of the small propane canisters and can be safely used indoors. You might want to be over prepared and have a good supply of propane cannisters just in case.

• VESTA Self-Powered Indoor Space Heater & stove by Instafire is another option. This stove comes with canisters that provide 6 hours of heat per can and you can purchase three of them for about eight dollars.

• One more option is an alcohol cooking stove that uses solid fuel tablets.

• If you decide to use a Kerosene heater, use only clear 1-K grade kerosene from reputable dealers. Make sure to ventilate your home as kerosene heaters put off carbon monoxide. It might not be a bad idea to have a carbon monoxide alarm either.

  
  

Other tips-

• It may be a good idea to use blankets, tarps, or whatever else you have to block off one room in your home so that there is less space to heat.

• If you have elderly or disabled family members, consider planning ahead to either make it easy for them to stay warm in their own home or to come to your home.

• This one almost goes without saying - have firewood split, stacked and covered ahead of time. If you need assistance with this we have so many wonderful people in our ward and valley that would be willing to help with this.

• Right now is a great time to invest in more blankets and warm socks as there are all kinds of sales going on.

• Layer clothing to help keep warm.

Lastly, be resilient and please do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Hopefully we will not have to face any scenarios this winter that would cause us to have to take the above actions, but it what a relief it is to be prepared ahead of time in case we need it. Being prepared also gives us the ability to be a blessing to others in need.