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.

Oil Stoves

Some models of oil stoves do not require electricity to operate. They can be very efficient which reduces environmental impact, fuel cost and storage space. They make an excellent source of supplemental heat but can also be used as the primary heating system. Each oil stove can heat up to 3,000 square feet. See Fuel Storage for more information about storing heating oil.

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.

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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