Loss of Power/Home Heating- Are you Prepared?!

Well I didn't list it because frankly I'm not sure what to call it but I have a version of one. Saw the street vendors in Thailand using them and was impressed how they could cook all day on just a few bits of charcoal or scrap wood, so when I found some at the local Asian market I got it. The thing is pretty cool, made for a wok to set down in it just right but easy enough to throw a pot on it too. Basically a clay lined bucket that you can set a grate on or set your wok right on top of.

I have about fifty cinderblocks lying around too.

 

My doublewide was equipped with all-electric, and the Fridge, Stove/Oven, and Central Air/Heat have all failed after some twelve years. So, my 'back up' is now my daily standard. I cook with microwave and larger toaster oven, with gas camp stoves as back up. My AC is now a couple smaller and more efficient window units, and heat is by two larger room type electric portable heaters with Big Buddy propane heaters to back them up on the really chilly days/nights. Here in northern Florida, it commonly hits the upper teens and low twenties in January - we have already had this happen this year in mid November! More to come I am sure.
Overall my electric costs are much lower than when I had the big whole-house Central unit - it wasted a lot of cold/heat in the under-floor ducting and in unused rooms.
I also have an electric blanket, and a couple good sleeping bags, one is 0 degree, the other 15 degree - sufficient for local conditions.
I keep a forty and four twenty pound propane tanks filled for the Buddies. And yes, I do make sure to vent the house. ;-)

 

I sit here with the light blinking and the snow falling at about an inch per hour.
Barrel heater in porch with 5 gal can of K1, propane lanterns just re-mantled and ready.
Generator had a test run yesterday. Both vehicles topped off today & 5-5gal gas cans in shed.
Haven't had a power outage at all since the Great Ice Storm of '08 but we're ready !

 

There are companies that offer conversion plan for your gensets like gomowpropane. Propane helps a lot during emergency since you can store them safely for long

 

I remember those , man were dating ourself's ..

I remember a guy who had clay flour pots & small candles that lasted 4 hours . it would heat rooms for pennies
tea candle heater - YouTube

 

Everybody will poo poo my experiences in no power down south, because they think it never gets below 70 here. LOL. But when we lived in IL we had a fireplace on every floor. In a one room cabin in MN, it was a coal burning stove. In the woods it's 2 fire reflectors and lotsa firewood.

 

because of the more then normal rain storms we been having here in e-tex.. we've been having more then normal outages as well...last one lasted 20 1/2 HR'S...so i've been stocking up on more items for them.in which most of the items i been getting.i not only consider as camping items.like a camping stove and 2 propane bottles for it.and a 8 cup percalator for coffee..but i also consider them as good power outage items as well..mainly the 8 cup percalator for coffee..pluss i started saveing plastic bottles.then filling with water.in which i keep in the freezer.some,if not most of them,wil go into the fridge during a outage.i still need a back up genarator for the fridge n freezer thoe.in which i'll run it long enough to cool of the fridge n frezzer.then shut it down for a while.

 

You are headed in the right direction.

 

oh yeah..just taking my time.and getting whats needed...

 

Now, look into a water filter. Your drinking water (and coffee water) could be polluted. You need to be able to tell, and do something about it.....right now. Can you cover that need now? it is a basic and vital one.

 

i do plan on getting life straw(s) when i can.not sure what type of everyday filtration system i'll be going with yet.been leaning in the direction of a 10 gallon still,just for purifying water only....and been buying 1 gallon store bought water.in which i have 14 or 15 gallons in my home at this time.and another 2 gallons in the vehicle..

 

For the short term, you might pick up one of those Brita-pitchers, that filter water. Relatively cheap, and easy to find.

 

we do have one.but i think it was put in with the yard sale stuff..thanks of reminding me of it.it only needs cleaning.and new filters..

 

we're having some serious rain moving through.so i did one thing i should of done before now.i went through some plastic jars with lids,that i have.cleaned them..then filled them with water,and put them into the freezer.there,they will stay untill a power outage.then will be moved to the fridge when the electric goes out..plus i also have 2 plastic bottles that some sort of flavored wat came in.they'll go into the freezer as well,once refilled with tap water..

 

Homemade Berkey Water Filter | Survival Forums

 

Be much better served with the Berkey than the Brita...as far as actually filtering the bad stuff out.

 

True, but berkleys are expensive, and if he does not even have life straws yet, (with a limited life span) brita's are pretty cheap. Not the top of the line, but better than the current version.