Main > Everything Else
Poll: Emergency power and heating
ChadTower:
--- Quote from: shardian on December 12, 2007, 10:35:11 am ---It can get pretty cold, but lately the winters have been fairly mild. Right now it is in the 60's. Two weeks ago I was waking up to 16 degrees though.
On average in the dead of winter it usually stays around 35-40 degrees, with weeks here and there below 30.
--- End quote ---
So it's not even really that much of an emergency there in terms of the cold. When it is still 30 outside you can get by wearing your coats and with 3 blankets and such. It's a pain in the ass and it is unpleasant but you'd be safe with reasonable care. We lived in a 150 year old house in NS way out in the woods - when a storm knocked down some lines it sometimes took a while to get power back. That was dangerous as it got cold there. We had a fireplace, though, and could all sleep in that room when there was a problem. Wood is definitely a great backup source.
--- Quote ---Our house came with a new furnace, and our bill in a cold month is usually right around $100.
--- End quote ---
That's not bad. 1998-2001 we lived in a basement apartment with electric hot water and waterborne baseboard heat. We had several months where the electric bill was $500 and that was with us keeping the thermostat at 65. At today's energy prices that would easily be a grand.
XyloSesame:
This poll needs to have a few more options...
I pile on the blankets and extra socks
I freeze ---my bottom--- off
Most of the folks I know are either at a relative's house (with heat), or the two options above...
My family is mainly in the blankets-and-socks category; we've got a fireplace that effectively heats a two-foot radius directly in front of it. Not complaining, though. It's warm and is being shared by friends and family without anything.
shardian:
--- Quote from: ChadTower on December 12, 2007, 10:46:51 am ---So it's not even really that much of an emergency there in terms of the cold. When it is still 30 outside you can get by wearing your coats and with 3 blankets and such. It's a pain in the ass and it is unpleasant but you'd be safe with reasonable care. We lived in a 150 year old house in NS way out in the woods - when a storm knocked down some lines it sometimes took a while to get power back. That was dangerous as it got cold there. We had a fireplace, though, and could all sleep in that room when there was a problem. Wood is definitely a great backup source.
--- End quote ---
Well sure a normal winter is nothing serious, but if a storm that hit like out in Oklahoma hit here and was followed by a big cold front, there would be ALOT of people in this state would be in serious trouble.
Odds are I'd buy a generator and never use it. But if there ever came a need for it, which is possible, then I'd like to be prepared. Hence the term "emergency". ;)
ChadTower:
--- Quote from: XyloSesame on December 12, 2007, 10:52:24 am ---My family is mainly in the blankets-and-socks category; we've got a fireplace that effectively heats a two-foot radius directly in front of it. Not complaining, though. It's warm and is being shared by friends and family without anything.
--- End quote ---
When the fireplace is your main backup source you have to pretty much block off that room. We had doors on all room doorways for that reason.
For an emergency generator you have to have gas on site already or be able to get it before the emergency arrives. Like tommy said - it gets real ugly at gas stations when people are dependent on gas in an emergency. Keep that in mind.
shardian:
--- Quote from: XyloSesame on December 12, 2007, 10:52:24 am ---
I pile on the blankets and extra socks
I freeze ---my bottom--- off
--- End quote ---
That ain't gonna cut it with a baby in the house that HATES blankets. Hate simply isn't a strong enough word I think. :laugh2:
Back in college, I briefly lived in the Co-ed dorm. The majority of the rooms had a broken heater, and a big picture window right above it. We had an ice storm that semester and the temperature was in the teens with skin piercing humidity in the air and a windchill at around 0. I slept with a hoodie, two pairs of thermal socks, two pairs of sweats, four blankets and still froze ---my bottom--- off.
So no, piling on the blankets is not a viable long term emergency option. That's what you do when the power goes out for mere hours.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version