If you live in a moderate to cold climate, having the ability to heat your home during a “grid down” scenario becomes critical yet
it’s one of the most overlooked aspects of disaster preparedness. The vast majority of U.S. homes require electricity for heat so
that leaves a few options for emergency heat. Never use a gas oven to heat your home because of the risk of carbon monoxide
poisoning.
The heating needs for your home can be addressed by focusing on a portable source of heat, which you can take with
you if you are displace or by modifying your home with an installed primary or alternative heat source that is capable of running
off of your backup power source or no electricity at all.
Portable Heat Sources
Although, a portable heat source may seem like the most desirable option, it is not likely that you will
be able to have enough portable sources to heat your entire home without having to store large quantities of fuel. This fact
makes it unsustainable for extended periods of time, but it is still a viable option for short term emergency heating solutions.
During an emergency when you and your family are in desperate need of heat, it may be necessary to create a smaller heated envelope
within your home in which to use your portable heater. You can choose a single room to heat where you keep your supplies, and
everyone congregates. You can also use plastic sheeting to seal off a heated area so your portable heater can keep up or you
can even pitch a tent that houses the heater inside your home.
BE SURE THAT YOUR PORTABLE HEATER IS SAFE FOR INDOOR USE!
Most portable propane heaters are not suitable for indoor use so be
sure to buy one that is rated and safe for indoor use. These indoor heaters burn more efficiently and create less carbon monoxide. Most indoor safe heaters use small 1 lb propane canisters. This is important because larger canisters have an emergency
relief valve that vents propane gas if the pressure within the canister becomes too high. Placing a large propane tank inside your
home is very dangerous because the propane can vent at any time, especially as the environment heats up. This will vent explosive
gas directly into your home or shelter where it can easily be ignited by the heater or any other spark. So, its best to stay
with the small 1 lb canisters unless your heater is equipped with an adapter and hose that makes it possible to attach to a canister
that is outside the home.
If you choose to go with a more permanent installation of an alternative heating source, be sure to have at least one portable heater
and fuel on hand in case you are forced to leave your home. These heaters can be used in a tent or other emergency shelter.
Off
the Grid Heating
The ideal heating system for a home is one that requires no grid power with an efficient method of fuel storage. In some cases, depending on your current heat source, you may be able to solve your heating problem by installing a backup generator
to supply the needed electricity to run your current heating system. However, this greatly depends on the type of system you
currently have and its energy requirements. Some heating systems require more electricity than a realistic backup generator
system can produce. This is not to say that you can’t install a large generator system, but one has to consider fuel economy
and longevity in a sustained “grid down” scenario.
Wood Stoves
An efficient wood stove may be a reasonable solution for a backup heat source, but you’ll have to check with the
EPA and your local regulations since there’s been a crack down on burning wood for heat. If you are allowed to have a wood stove
it’s wise to install one that is sealed and very efficient. Not only does this help to meet some of the EPA and local standards
but, it cuts down dramatically on the amount of wood you need to burn to heat your home. Firewood takes a lot of room to store
and it cost money unless you have the opportunity and time to cut your own so burning it efficiently is a real plus.
If you have
a fireplace, then you know that its pretty much useless in heating your home. You might want to consider installing a fireplace
insert that provides more radiant heat.
Vent-Free Propane Gas Stoves
These units are a great option for heating your home or as an emergency backup. They are ventless
so installation is simple (just install a propane line and tank). They can heat about 1,500 square and will operate without
electricity. See Fuel Storage for more information about safe handling and storing propane fuel.
Heating systems with low electricity requirements
If you do intend to use an alternative power source for your emergency preparedness,
you may want to investigate heating systems that require only a small amount of electricity that your backup power system can easily
generate. The draw back is the potential for a cascading failure, i.e. if your power system goes down, so does your heat.
Toyo and Monitor Stoves
These are direct vent oil stoves that draw air in from the outside to help with combustion and then exhausts
to the outside. They tend to be very efficient but do require power for combustion and to operate the fans. They can be
vente through a side wall and do not require a roof penetration.
Pellet Stoves
Pellet stoves also require a small amount of electricity to operate. They contain a high-tech circuit board
and fans to vent gasses to the outside. They are efficient and most models only require feeding the stove once per day and the fuel
is compact and requires less space to store. If you intend to run a pellet stove on generator power, you should invest in an
inverter generator that produces more consistent power (less variation) that is safer for electronic devices.
Heating must be carefully considered when developing your preparedness strategies. If you are building a new home or are interested
in retrofitting your existing home with emergency backup systems, you can contact the folks at Spire CM to receive a consultation
or complete systems design that will ensure your readiness. They provide services all over the U.S.
Kerosene heaters can be used indoors if you take the appropriate precautions. They do produce carbon monoxide and can be dangerous
if used in a small unventilated area. Be sure to open a window slightly and it is not recommended that you burn a kerosene heater
while sleeping. For these reasons, kerosene heaters may not be your best choice for extremely cold areas because you will be
more likely to not provide adequate ventilation for fear of letting the cold in. The safest kerosene heaters are equipped with
an oxygen depletion sensor that automatically shuts the heater down when it depletes oxygen to dangerous levels. You can buy
kerosene in many locations but steer clear of using red kerosene because the dyes cause dangerous fumes when burnt