Keeping Warm without Electricity or Fireplace

As some know I have moved to Connecticut, and after watching "Perfect Disaster:Solar Storm", I figure I should ask now. Since I've gotten here, I've been thinking of things I'm going to need to get or do to expand my prepardness gear. I thought I would be good with Natural Gas for the steam radiant heating in my apartment. Then a coworker told me his stuff was all controlled by electrical controls. I checked my, and so am I. So, if I have no electricity, I won't have heat of any form.

Any suggestions on other alternatives for keeping warm without electricity, natural gas, or fire place? The only option I see is making an igloo in the living room, but I think that might damage the wood floors.

My coworker did notice that his basement temperature is rather stable since it is dug in, as is mine.

You could get a Mr. Heater portable propane heater. We have the Big Buddy model ourselves (http://www.mrheater.com/productdetails_extended.asp?catid=41&id=116). We use it a lot while boondocking in our motorhome when we don't want to use the generator or drain our battteries. They run about $120 or so. Get a bunch of the disposable one pound propane cylinders at Costco or Wallyworld, and some D batteries to power the fan. As long as you don't put it on HIGH it will run a long time on two cylinders, and will keep at least one normal sized room pretty warm...

When thinking about preparedness for emergencies where services such as water, gas, electricity, etc. may be shut off or otherwise unavailable, you must think back to about 100+ years ago. How did they control their indoor temps? My suggestion is to install a wood burning stove where your fireplace is located (they make good inserts). They also have free-standing models available. This uses readily available flamable fuel and can be used to cook with.

My grandparents and brother-in-law have a wood burning stove insert and a freestanding one (respectively) and they can heat their whole house (keep doors open to all the rooms).

The other (cheaper) option would be to invest in a kerosene or propane space heater. I'm not familiar with the larger ones but Walmart and their ilk sell a cataiytic propane space heater (uses the small disposable cartridges) for about $30 dollars. It won't heat your house, but it might help take the chill off a smaller room in your basement. Of course with all improvised methods of heat, remember to have a carbonmonoxide detector (battery powered) and fire extinguishers handy. You also would have to worry about storing containers of fuel in your house with this method.

Look here for examples (I neither endorse nor sell these products so use at your own risk)
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/subcategory.asp?CategoryID=3000

Or something larger like this:
[Link didn't work] go to www.homedepot.com then in the search bar, type in portable propane heater.

Thanks. I didn't know about the portable propane heaters. I do live in an apartment and don't have a fireplace. I am going to get a mummy sleeping bag. Figure I can just camp inside!

BTW, I do, and think everyone should have at fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector. ESPECIALLY if you are burning anything indoors.

You are fairly limited when living in an apartment. A kerosine heater may work OK and be fairly economical. We have had one for years (bought at a yard sale). Does anyone know how long kerosine can be stored? I have some that is 20+ years old. I should dig it out and fire it up to see if it still works. I am ashamed to say that I am not as prepared as I should be with that item.

I have heard of some propane heaters that can be used indoors, but do not have any experience with them.

I have used a fireplace insert as my main source of suplimentary heat. It is a triple walled Buck stove with a thermostat for the fan control. A marine battery and power inverter keep the fan running when the power is off. When the battery runs out (hasn't yet), I can open the doors and put the screen in. With the doors closed and the fan running I can heat the house. With the doors open, I can heat the 12 feet in front of it. I try to keep the battery charged!!

For what it's worth, I am preparing to move into a rental house from an apartment building. The power is out, but the gas is still on. I cannot light the stove or turn on the furnace, but my hot water heater's pilot is still lit. We were inside the other day assembling some chairs and moving some boxes in - it was pretty cold inside, so I filled the sinks and bathtub with the hottest water we could make and it did make a noticeable difference.

I can second an endorsement of the Mr. Heater. It has an internal carbon monoxide detecter that automatically shuts it off if room oxygen gets too low.
We are under construction in our house and use it all the time.
It runs even if the batteries run out. Not bad for a good sized room.

Seriously, -and I *Am* speaking from Direct Personal Experience here, -

All you need Rock Bottom, -if you have Nothing Else, is-

Several Blankets, Sweatshirts, etc. A Sleeping Bag can be thrown into the Mix too.

The Right Amount, Type, and Arrangement of these does the Job like a Charm!

On the Coldest Winter Days and Nights of Last Season (many days 18 to 22 degrees Fahrenheit, -several at a few degrees above Zero), -I was *Perfectly Toasty Warm!!!!!* With NO other Heater, Fire or Fireplace, or Heat Source or Device of any kind! (Truth is that about half such nights, -I built an "Augmenting Fire" anyway. But on all the other half, -*I did Not!*).

If it Works so Well in a Tent or Tarp Shelter, -as it *has* for me, -Then it should Work just as Well, -in any given room of a house!

Other Options as mentioned in this Thread are of course Excellent and Advisable! But this is All one Really Rock Bottom Needs!

(Again, -in case anyone's Forgotten the Point I opened with, -I here speak only from Direct Personal Experience!). [color:"black"] [/color] [email]ki4buc[/email]

Kerosene will go bad in less than a year without some type of fuel stabilizer in it. I'm told algae will grow in it. (Kero is close to diesel fuel).
Also, check you tenants contract, a lot of apartment buildings don't allow any type of extra heater.

Could you build a small 'room' in the basement with well-insulated floor, walls and ceiling? Stocked with cots, blankets, sleeping bags, etc? (and some food, water, lights, radio, batteries, past-times (books, playing cards, etc?). Your families body heat might keep it fairly warm. It could even be some type of 'safe' room, in case of a bad storm.
I have 2 kerosene heaters I bought at the end of the season from Home Depot. They cost me $77 each. They won't heat the whole house, but I figure they'll at least keep the pipes from bursting. I store my kero in my garage, with a stabilizer called Pri-D. So far, it's worked great.

Try "Tom Brown's guide to city and urban survival". It has plenty of good info for staying warm in the city.

Be aware there are two types of kerosene heaters, convection and radiant. The convection heaters are designed to heat air and are ideal for small to modest sized enclosed areas (house, garage). The other type is radiant and is most efficient at producing infra red heat. These heaters heat objects and people that are in front of the reflector. These are optimized for outdoors or areas so large that heating the air is impractical (such as a large warehouse). You will see radiant style heaters above the cashiers at Home Depot in winter. Portable electric and propane heaters also fit these same categories. As a general rule, radiant heaters have polished reflectors in the rear.

I learned these lessons the hard way. When I was going to school I lived in a small travel trailer. I had a portable electric radiant heater that ran at all times I was in the trailer in winter. I froze unless I was sitting directly in front of the bloody thing all the time.

Later as an adult, I bought a radiant kerosene heater for my garage to make it more comfortable to work in during winter. Again, I had the heater running for hours, but never really did much good unless I was standing in front of it.

I finally did a bit of research and figured out I was using the wrong tool. I dumped the kerosene radiant heater and purchased a kerosene convection heater. Amazing! The garage was toasty warm in 20-30 minutes. I dislike the smell of burning kerosene, so I later picked up a convection propane heater. Fifteen minutes and I am sweating. No more odor either. I typically end up turning the heater off now so I don't overheat.

I will say that it typically takes a bit more leg work to find convection heaters, but the difference is profound for indoor use. For outdoors, the typical solution is a radiant heater. Everyone just huddles in front of it and gets warm on one side. On a winter Cub Scout hike last year I drug along my propane convection heater. It is quite small, only about 1 square foot. I fired it up on low and allowed the cubs to warm their hands on the warm air rising above it. I performed this job superbly.

Make sure you use the right tool for the job.

Cheers, TR

Wool blanket + cat = warm.

Heh, someone had to say it.

Something to consider is a battery backup for valve and ignition control circuits. Typical 24 volt DC control voltage doesn't take hardly any current. Thus, a small battery supply would be sufficient. Likewise with electrical ignition sources. Of course, forced air (fans) furnace or inserts require significantly more power, so battery backup for those systems may be impractical.

As someone else alluded to, a couple good dogs to snuggle with can be pretty handy, provided you can get them to lay still long enough. The colder it gets, the more willing they are to huddle up.

One thing about the Mr Heater heaters. If you decide to use one with a refillable propane bottle (like the ones you have on your BBQ's outside), BE SURE to get one of their little in-line fuel filters before you do it, or you will RUIN the heater. You don't want to know how I learned this. They are hard to find, but can be ordered from the company, or sometimes on e-bay, for about $10 each. GET ONE!!!

Thanks for the tip. The directions are not clear; It seems to imply that when you buy the connector hose the filter is built in. Is this not the case?

Jon Davis

Thanks again; I have ordered the filters from Mr. Heater and also called their corporate office. Perhaps what I learned will be useful to others.
Lowe's does not carry the filter although they do carry the hose to attach the heater to a bar-b-que type propane tank. According to the company; fuel is left in the connector hose when you turn the heater off before you turn off the tank. The next time you start the heater after opening the hose a dose of oil can be squirted into the heater from the previous left over fuel in the hose. When you ignite the pilot light..... Well you can imagine. I did not know this and am grateful to the earlier poster for warning me. I have ordered the parts but it takes a minimum of 6 days to receive them.
In the interim, Anyone who has this type of setup can be ok if they just turn off the propane tank first and let the heater run out of fuel.

Thanks again for the tip.

Jon

And if you have to evacuate quickly because of a terriorist attack, etc. the warm clothes & good sleeping bag are very portable. Plus you don't have to worry about your fuel running out. <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Couple years ago for Xmas the wife & I both asked for a good pair of ski pants as gifts with this thought in mind. Unless you are out in the wind a pair of boots, ski pants, coat, hat & gloves will keep you warm indefinitely. Only real concern is getting too hot & sweating.

The heaters would be good for short term situations though.

I'm not sure, since I bought my hose from a RV supply place, not from Mr Heater. But I assume, from their manual, that you always have to buy the filter separate. And I have NEVER seen a filter in a store, so I guess you have to order them from the company, or from a supplier on e-bay (where they seem to be a bit cheaper). I ruined a Big Buddy by not using a filter (didn't think abuot the turning the tank off first thing)...

I didn't think of turning the tank off either. Was told by the company.
I was also told that I would void my warranty if I used the hose they sold at Lowe's without a filter I had to order from the company. It all sounds like a scam to me. I suspect they discovered the problem after they started selling connector hoses, and came out with the filter afterwards to correct it.
At any rate; I am pleased with the heater.
Thanks again for the heads up. Jon

Keep warm the easy way. KEEP MOVING. walk around, take advantage of this opportunity to do that house keepping you have been putting off. Dust, sweep, go thru old stuff and decide what to throw out or donate to goodwill.

It will keep you warm, keep your mind occupied and the time will seem to pass quicker than sitting in the corner wondering when the power is coming back on.