In freezing weather, our bodies work hard to stay warm. We shiver when we’re cold and our body temperature drops. To maintain body heat, it is vital to dress in layers and to keep moving. Layers of clothing help trap body heat and keep us warm. Movement helps circulate blood and body heat. So, even if you can’t generate heat to keep your house warm, you can still preserve body heat by staying active.
When a winter storm hits, it can knock out power for days or even weeks. That’s why it’s essential to have a plan for staying warm without electricity, especially if you do not own a backup generator. Some safe and effective ways to stay warm during a power outage include maintaining and producing body heat, dressing in layers, and using alternative emergency heat sources.
What you’ll need to keep your body warm during a winter storm
A few key things to remember when dressing to stay warm without heat. The first is to dress in warm clothing and wear layers. Layers of clothing help trap body heat and keep us warm.
The second is ensuring that your clothing is made of warm materials. Wool, cotton, and fleece are all excellent choices for winter and cold temperatures.
The third is to make sure that your clothing is properly fitted. Tight clothing can help trap body heat, while loose clothing can allow body heat to escape.
The fourth is to ensure you cover as much of your body as possible. Wearing a hat, scarf, warm blankets and gloves will help keep your body heat from escaping.
Winter weather can be brutal, but you don’t have to suffer if your power goes out. There are ways to stay warm without electricity. Some safe and effective methods include using body heat, dressing in layers, and using alternative heat sources. By being prepared, you can stay comfortable even when the temperature dips.
Tip!
Several alternative heat sources can be used when power is out. Candles, lanterns, and oil lamps can provide heat and light. However, it is vital to use these devices safely. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Be sure to keep candles and lamps away from flammable materials.
Another option for generating heat is to use a wood-burning stove or fireplace. If you use a wood-burning stove, be sure to vent the stove properly and install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. You can also use a camp stove for cooking and heating. Just be sure to use it in a well-ventilated area.
Focus on home insulation first, to retain heat in the home.
It is difficult to maintain heat during electrical outages without insulation. Similarly, your heating option could no longer work. Before using alternative heat sources in an emergency, ensure your house has adequate insulation.
There are several ways to keep the heat in during extreme cold and the power is out. The first is to make sure that you cover windows and doors are correctly sealed. You can use insulation, plastic, and weather strip doors to help keep the heat in.
The second is to use thermal curtains. Thermal curtains help keep the heat in by blocking out the cold air.
Use insulation with foam board inside for less heat loss. Check for air leaks in walls or ceilings and seal them by applying sealing agents.
Install a draft stopper at the bottom of the doors and on the sash and window frame. Make a comfy environment using the room’s insulation, shades, and carpeting.
Best emergency heat sources during winter storms and winter weather advisory
Go for Catalytic Heaters
Catalysts are generally electrically charged plates coated in platinum. Catalytic heaters require either gasoline or propane for their operation. These heaters work without electricity, they are wasteless as they generate no carbon monoxide. This is because they simply accelerate the chemicals within rather than burning fuel.
Catalytic heating devices can be used indoors because their energy output is controlled by a heat exchanger, without burning. To enhance safety, they are placed in front of half-open windows for proper oxygen. Catalytic heater use is an alternative heat source that requires regular maintenance.
DIY Your Heater
If your heating needs are not covered, make your own heater. If you have a material in your house it is easy for your heating system to operate in your house without electricity. DIY candle heater can help warm your home. It’s a great heating source for emergencies and is also very effective.
This heater requires lighting candles and terracotta containers. The lamp absorbs the energy from the candles inside the clay pot. The clay is porous, displacing heat from its surroundings and warms up the room. Alcohol heaters are an alternative way of heating an area without electricity. This helps heat food in an emergency.
Choose a propane heater
Modern propane heating systems can be used in rooms without electricity, and the older models boast up to 95% energy efficiency. Aside from providing a backup energy saving solution, the boilers can be used for backup purposes for various purposes.
Besides oxygen-depleting features, look at the overheating characteristics of propane heaters. The heater can quickly heat a large area by burning liquid propane for fuel. When using the propane heating system, take precautions and ensure that it is stored correctly in the tank and adequately ventilated during operation.
Make a Designated Heating Room
Pick one room or area and create a living space available if power outages occur. Install weather stripping on doors and windows and cover them with rugs to minimize heat loss.
Once your insulation is finished, add your alternative heating source like a wood stove and a gas heating system to remain warm if you lose power. Please do not use the heater when a person is sleeping. Besides a couch or blanket, you’ll also have additional beds and mattresses in case you need them.
Camping Cooking Bags
You cannot cook food without the proper heating device during a power outage. Consider a camping kitchen bag. Heat packs can generate heat for boiling water and cook it for cooking. This cooking bag has a heated pack and an inside plate for your food like pasta or rice. Place this heating bag inside your lunchbox. Bring water in. Place the dish into the heat pack and close the lid. After ten minutes, you get an excellent hot breakfast!
Use Burner Canned heat.
The ability of a biofuels burner is helpful if there hasn’t been an electricity outage. Use it for heating up the wood or just leave it in for a while to heat up your room. Keep it in a safe place and keep it away from children and pets. Use a fuel-burning burner as they are natural products and do not produce harmful emissions.
Insulate Your Plumbing
It’s not an alternative heat source but mainly a method of securing our homes from electrical power outages during winter. During winter storms, pipes can freeze or even rupture, and your homes will flood.
Insulated pipes are essential to prevent water damage and insulated pipe covers are standard. Various kinds of insulation are provided in different materials like foam-and PVC pipe insulation, bubble wraps, or rubber pipe insulation.
In Conclusion
Staying warm without heat can be a challenge. You can stay comfortable even when the power is out during winter storms by dressing in layers, using body heat, and using alternative heat sources. Still, it is essential to have an emergency supply kit and emergency heating plan in place. Be sure to watch weather reports closely during a winter storm warning and it’s always best to prepare for the worst in advance.
