Winter power outage prep
Posted by jdnls87@reddit | preppers | View on Reddit | 48 comments
Last year, my town was hit by a snow storm, causing power outages in about a half of the area. Though we always keep water, canned food, candles, and flashlights on hand, it's not enough imo.
Here's what we've prepared so far:
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light/power: besides candles and flashlights, we have a small bluetti portable power station to power essentials like phones and small devices.
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heat: electric blankets, clothes, hot water bottles and a small tent.
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cooking: water and canned food, and we're thinking about other cooking methods if possible.
Anything missing? I'm considering getting a larger power station during BF so it can power my induction cooker and allow the electric blankets to run for longer. Any thoughts?
8Deer-JaguarClaw@reddit
I would put sleeping bags and extra blankets / throws / comforters on that list. It's amazing the amount of heat you can trap with a good sleeping bag.
incruente@reddit
Powered by what?
Capable-Owl7369@reddit
My thoughts exactly
renderanything@reddit
Me too. The amount of time that any portable Bluetti is going to run any electric heat generating device is going to be counted in minutes and not hours.
jdnls87@reddit (OP)
I'm thinking about getting a larger power station.
signpostgrapnel@reddit
Or you can get a generator. I use a hybrid setup with a Bluetti Apex 300 power station and a generator. By connecting them with a TT-30 charging cable, the generator can efficiently recharge the Apex 300 at its maximum input rate. I only need to run the generator for about two hours per day to get a full charge. This allows the power station to provide silent, clean power for my electric blanket and other essentials throughout the night.
jimoconnell@reddit
Invest in good winter sleeping bags or down comforters/duvets instead.
LowBathroom1991@reddit
They do make battery powered ones
charliewhyle@reddit
That's what I'm trying to figure out. In the event of a long power outage in winter, electric heaters and blankets need more power than I can reasonably afford.
Ysobel14@reddit
Having survived power outages up to 8 days long, I have a possibly unconventional tips.
When weather conditions suggest you might lose power, clean your clothes, your dishes, your floors, and yourself.
There is no misery greater than going into a long outage with less than clean hair and a sink or dishwasher full of dirty dishes and a lack of clean socks.
Led_Zeppole_73@reddit
Lower MI, end of grid so we lose power. A few winters ago we lost power 4 days because of the ice storm. I didn’t even break out the gas generator as for heating, cooking and washing we used the wood stove. I do have a small battery pack that stays charged to power phones and Ipads and what not. We had a 24’ pool and 1 acre pond for water needs.
fenuxjde@reddit
I have an 8.8kw solar battery that has 4 outlets capable of concurrent 2200w output so I can have a small space heater, a kettle, and a microwave going at the same time, not that I ever would.
I cannot recommend a solid battery backup enough. It has changed the entire way I see prepping.
Own_Exit2162@reddit
Have you actually tested out that battery? Electric heaters are incredibly inefficient; it will probably burn through your battery in a couple hours.
fenuxjde@reddit
Yes, it's an 800w heater, with a 1200w solar array, and I have an ultra insulated, basically panic room in my basement for emergency situations. I don't ever expect to use it, but I also have a backup gas generator that can run my larger 1500w pol.based heaters for extended periods of time.
Akira_Kaioh@reddit
Exactly! I have a 2500 Wh (LFP) portable capable of pretty high output, but even with a 200W heater it only lasts 2-3 nights (turning off during the day). Would need to spend 2-3K for a battery large enough for continuous heat and at that point a solid generator would make sense imo.
Ryan_e3p@reddit
Eh... They pull, what, maybe 150W on the highest setting? Assuming 8.8kw means 8.8kwh of capacity, that'll hold it for 50-ish hours (after conversion loss).
Though honestly, I'd rather use that energy to keep my food cold, since the human body makes heat. Just a matter of insulating it. I've slept in tents where it was 45F at night in a sleeping bag and thermals, and even with just that I was toasty. If it's getting so cold in a tent pitched in a house that someone is chilly even with a setup like that, there are likely going to be much bigger problems to be worried about (like freezing pipes!).
shikkonin@reddit
No, you dont. 8.8kWh maybe.
Space heater, kettle and microwave together are something like 4kW. Your 2.2kW output can't power that at the same time.
PrisonerV@reddit
Get Harbor Freight headlamps. This one - https://www.harborfreight.com/50-lumen-swivel-led-twist-focus-headlamp-63598.html - is often on sale for $3 or less.
Get a small propane heater like Mr. Buddy that's designed for indoor heat.
Get a duel fuel camping stove. It uses the same propane canisters as the heater.
I'd get the power station (I did) and hook it up to solar permanently and now you can run the refrigerator basically forever.
Spiley_spile@reddit
I dont know if you'd find these helpful for your own area. But I keep a pair of slip-on microspikes for ice, as well as snowshoes, trekking poles with snow baskets, and a polk sled. (Polk sleds hook up to a belt-harness. I can pull an injured person or supplies behind me in the sled if I need.) It can take a couple days for the snow plows to reach me after a big storm. And the ice storms are getting worse.
I made some wool shoe inserts for both pairs of boots. They make a big difference. Easy enough to make if youve got some wool fabric. But folks can buy them pre-made too for $20 ish.
Speaking of boots, if you plan to double up your socks, size up your winter boots and socks. When shoes and socks are too tight, it restricts blood flow, which defeats the purpose of doubling up socks. That constriction also increases risk of frostbite.
A way to heat water without electricity is nice. The hot water is good for rehydrating freeze dried meals, and importantly, broth. Even chicken bouillon cubes dissolved in hot water. Upping callories and staying hydrated with a good electrolyte ballance supports our core temperature maintenance, reducing risk of hypothermia.
In terms of first aid, keep a guide handy for how to prevent, recognize, and treat cold emergencies like hypothermia and frostbite. These can happen faster than one might expect. Ive had both hypothermia and frostbite. Not fun. Your cold emergency treatment kit shoukd include some sugary drink mix you can add to a cup of hot water. Drink it cold if you cant heat the water. The sugar provides energy for your body to produce heat and the water supports hydration.
Speaking of hypothermia, things like caffeine, alcohol, as well certain other prescribed and unprescribed substances increase chance of hypothermia and frostbite. Sometimes by a LOT. During a disaster, substance use tends to increase as a coping mechanism. People who use these, I encourage to take extra precautions and self-monitor to stay adequately warm.
Circling back to water, if temperatures in your place have a chance of dropping below freezing, I recommend keeping your water storage containers filled to 75%, rather than 100% full. Water expands when it freezes bursting storage containers. The water expands 15-20% when frozen. But reducing container fill by only that much still leads to warping and sometimes seam damage. So, I recommend a 25% allowance.
Good luck and stay safe!
TXSyd@reddit
We have a kerosene heater for backup heat, it also works in a pinch when the heater just can’t keep up, you might want to look into some non electric options. Since you already have the tent, maybe look into the portable mr buddy. It runs on those 1lb propane tanks and is considered indoor safe.
For cooking we have a camping stove which also runs off those 1lb propane tanks, when not in use it’s stored at the bottom of my pantry under a shelf.
If you can a portable generator is always a good investment, they’re generally much cheaper than the battery systems and while the battery systems have their place, a generator I feel like is more reliable. We have some small power stations, but a generator means I can run a window ac in the summer or a heater in the winter if I run out of kerosene.
At the end of the day you want all of your peeps to have a backup if possible. Batteries die, gas stations run out of fuel, the sun doesn’t come out for your solar panels if you can help it don’t put all your eggs in the electric basket.
jdnls87@reddit (OP)
Sorry, I have a buddy heater. I just forgot to add it (already edited). My primary concern is the safety when it's on for a long time, let alone overnight.
Homely_Bonfire@reddit
On you second point (heat): Have a focus area in mind where you would concentrate heat, rather than trying to keep the whole house warm. Have some heavy blanket set up on hand to further insulate that room if possible. This can stretch the resources you got further. And of course don't keep the batteries in a freezing environment.
jvsp99@reddit
Your setup already covers many basics. If outrages last more than a day in your area, adding low power heating options and ways to keep one room warm could make things much easier.
Cute-Consequence-184@reddit
Lights. Get a rechargeable, omnidirectional camp light that has a solar panel, dynamo crank and also takes standard batteries. They last 6-8 hours per charge.
Each person ideally should have a headlamp
Candles are good for burning down houses. Buy a fire blanket.
Warmth in power outages
Some ideas that might help. I've been homeless and I've lived off grid on and off for years.
First off, light is easier to produce than heat.- remember that.
Insulate your windows. They are often the place that allows the most heat to escape.
You can get UV blockers that also help with insulation. They also help keep out the heat in the summer.
Put bubble wrap, if you can, over the windows. It really does help. I buy rolls off Amazon or from Walmart. This also helps in the summer heat.
Put plastic sheeting over windows either outside or inside. I have cats, so I put greenhouse plastic on the outside using removable gaffer tape. Then I mark the plastic so it can be taken off in the spring and put back on that same window in the fall.
If you can afford it, you can make rigid panels for each window with Reflectix. They have tutorials for use in RVs but they work even better in a house.
Use towels and sheets over curtain rods to further insulate the windows. Remember light is easier and takes less energy to produce.
I use curtain rods over each door to hang blankets. This insulates the doors. You can also isolate cold hallways so you aren't heating empty space.
I put blankets over the exterior doors to prevent heat loss. I close the door before I push aside the blanket. This seriously helps with heat loss.
Have an off grid way to heat at least 1 room. This one room will need to have room for everyone to sleep and eat.
Have sleeping bags and wool blankets. A wool blanket can take a cheaper 3 season bag up to a 4 season bag. Fleece bag liners also help and are easier to wash than a full sleeping bag.
Have wool socks. They have the ability to be damp and still keep you warm. Have long johns. If you don't have long johns, panty hose can help keep your legs warm. But seriously invest in at least 1 pair of long johns.
Have a pair of wool mittens. If you ever have to sleep without heat, they can keep your fingers from frostbite. Your fingers being together and share heat better than in individual gloves.
Have ear protection in the cold. Cudos if it is wool.
You can also put up a tent as it will help contain body heat. It is best for 2 people to share body heat and invite in the family pets as their temperatures are several degrees higher than that of humans.
Have an off grid way to cook. A BBQ grill will work for most of the year but not necessarily in heavy snow... Unless you are from places like upper Wisconsin and can BBQ in shorts in the winter. (My roommate did this!)
So have something like a portable propane camping stove or a butane stove. Even a small kerosene stove will work for a short time inside. Cooking will also really heat a room.
For off-grid heat, there are several choices. The cheapest is a single burner tank top propane heater. It can heat about 80-100 sq ft. If you already have a 20lb tank, they work really well and can heat steadily for 3 days or 5-7 intermittently. Menards had no name brand ones last year for under $20 on black Friday. So if you don't have emergency heat, definitely shop the black Friday sales.
It is best if you have a battery powered CO detector or better yet, an explosive gas detector/CO detector when using propane and butane indoors.
There are larger ventless propane heaters that are more expensive and you will need large tanks for those. So purely for emergency heat, names like Mr. Buddy and Mr Heater are your best options. They really only have the no name brands on the small tank top heaters AFAIK.
There are also kerosene heaters. Although some Western and Midwest states have outlawed their use inside, they are a viable way to heat inside. I used one for 10 years and now a friend is using one at a cat sanctuary. The first burn needs to be done outside as "burning in" the wick produces smoke. (YouTube videos) But after that, it is just a smell you deal with. They have kerosene treatment that helps with the smell. 5 gallons can last 4-5 days. And if you don't have children, you can take off the safety grills on some models and use the flat top as a cooking surface for Dutch ovens and cast iron. It gets extremely hot, so a diffuser plate is recommended even with a heavy bottomed Dutch oven. And again, you need a CO detector and functional fire alarm to be safe. There are even vented kerosene heaters used in places like Alaska that work with large kerosene tanks outside.
Next is diesel heaters. They originated with Naval use in various countries and transferred over to long haul truckers for use in their sleepers. Now they are popular in Van lifers and in RV groups. They must have DC power source to run the pump but they are very cheap (most of the time) to use. There are specific FB groups that can explain all about diesel heaters. But if you have a farm with large diesel tanks, they are a very cheap way to have emergency heat. Bonus as they also can burn cleaned cooking oils or various other oils in emergencies.
BEWARE of trying to produce heat with candles. If it's very dangerous. They need to be on a fire blanket at the very least. WITH NO PETS AROUND. Not only that but they provide minimal heat, only enough for a very small (closet) room.
jdnls87@reddit (OP)
So informative! Thank you so much. I'll check them out one by one.
XilodonZ@reddit
You are already well-prepared. Add a propane or butane stove for cooking and insulation materials. A larger power station is smart, especially for running blankets and essential devices longer.
Capable-Culture917@reddit
Kerosene heater?
Adorable_Dust3799@reddit
I gave up on candles quick. It's impossible to cook well and they make me cough. I got a little mr heater that is safe indoor with a 1 lb propane canister, and I'll run that in one room only. I have some good wool base layers, they can be worn a disgusting amount of time if absolutely necessary. Cheap LED light strips can ruin off a phone power bank and are quite bright. I have a down comforter from ikea that was pretty affordable, with a blanket under and a sheet on top it really holds heat. I bought a kindle paperwhite on sale for 60 bucks last year and loaded all my ebooks on it. On airplane mode a charge lasts a very long time. Solar patio lights are amazing. Fortunately i have a gas stove and water heater.
AlphaDisconnect@reddit
Iwatani epr-a. And all in one butane stove unit. Butane can freeze so keep warm enough. This can be a warm room. Sit on the can.
Blankets to block off door ways. Everone goes into one room.
Coleman quad lamp. The old d cell one.
Marine corps waffle tops and bottoms. This is your new base layer. Keep adding layers. Rei or smart wool socks. Camp shoes. Can't live in boots. More blankets. Oh forgot to mention. More blankets. Something tonget you off the ground. A pretty girl also in just the waffle tops. Keep em close. BThe pointy scrooge sleeping cap. A monocle. And a lump of coal to shake.
If you can get a cast iron stove put in. Yes, it will draw air from outside. Cooling other rooms. But the room you have chosen. It while be just shiny.
Free prep. Sweat is the enemy. Don't do this. Have extra base layers for this reason. Pee before bed. No cold pees. Less water you don't need to keep warm.
QueerTree@reddit
Multiple power banks / batteries that we keep charged and that can be charged with solar panels (we’ve found that having multiple sizes is more convenient for different purposes).
House has a pellet stove that requires electricity can run on one of those power banks easily if temperatures fall dramatically. Stockpile of stove pellets before storms.
Lots and lots of blankets. We tend to cuddle up as a family when the power goes out and stay warm that way.
General purpose essentials (eg OTC meds) because if the power is out from a storm we know we’re fully snowed / iced in and not going anywhere. Related, de-icer / rock salt, sand, snow shovel, tire chains, etc in case we have to get to town (ie medical emergency).
Capable-Owl7369@reddit
Lights/Power: battery bank is good. Generator with fuel is better. In addition to standard battery flashlights I'd also get some hand crank ones. And some glow sticks/chem lights that don't require any power to light.
Heat: best option when the power is out is a fireplace but hard to make that work when you don't have one. There are propane heaters you can get too just be very aware of where you put it for ventilation.
Cooking: wood stove, camp stove, solar oven. It's easy to stock dried goods that need water and heat but it's good to have other options. Canned soup can be eaten cold. MREs can be cooked with just a little water.
winston_smith1977@reddit
Used generators are cheap and commonly available where I live. If you have a patio or balcony or side yard to run it and a place to store gas, it's a cheap way to solve the heat and electricity problems.
Capable-Owl7369@reddit
On that note I would also suggest a large gas can with a hand pump. Nothing that needs power to refill the generator. The one I use is 15 gallons with wheels like a hand truck. Good thing too because it's a heavy SOB when full. But easy enough to pull out and top off the generator without having to turn it off using the hose and hand pump.
RredditAcct@reddit
Mr buddy indoor heater for heat.
20 pound tank. 1 pounders don't last long.
sabotthehawk@reddit
Get a big buddy heater with the 20lb grill tank adapter. If you have blankets put them up in doorway and over windows to minimize heat loss to whatever space you actively heat.
Have a way to cook safely indoors.
Put your fridge and freezer goods outside if cold enough and out of power long enough for things to spoil.
If you have multiple tents set them up inside each other to retain heat.
Have water on hand. No power can mean no water depending on how your water is delivered. (No well power or no pump power for municipal water)
When doing stuff remove layers. You don't want to get wet by sweating.
TechFreeze@reddit
Mylar blankets and chemical had warmers.
Own_Exit2162@reddit
Neither are effective in this situation. Chemical had warmers are a short-term comfort item, and mylar blankets are useless here unless you're using them to insulate a room.
winston_smith1977@reddit
Mylar blankets can make a big difference if you really screw up.
Akira_Kaioh@reddit
They make the 12-24 hour large warmers, used them camping a few times around 30F next to a lake with a mylar and just one kept me comfortably warm for longer than the time stated on the bag. Some you can even adhere to your back etc.
When heat would go out in our home as children due to winter storms we would always stay in one room and seal it off/insulate it best we could, so it may be reasonable to assume OP and fam would be in one room that they want to insulate.
But also there are those rechargeable heated vests, pair those with a quality portable power station. May work better longterm , I would still throw in a couple packs of the 24 hour large hot hands though. They do also make the heated blankets that you can hook up a portable battery to, but the cheaper ones aren't worth it, I've tried a few. Probably need to spend $100/blanket for one that would work well enough to heat over 45F uniformly.
OutlawCaliber@reddit
I live in an apartment. I got a portable wood stove with a window adapter kit, a Jackery with two panels, and all the rest of the stuff you'd find normally(I think).
Dapper_dreams87@reddit
Replace the electric blankets with wool blankets. They are the best for keeping you warm. We have two kids and everyone can sleep on the same bed for warmth. I recommend making sure that the tent you have can fit over your bed... Makes things a lot more comfortable and of course keeps the heat in.
ratcuisine@reddit
Using electricity for heating things up (HVAC, hot water, cooking, clothes dryer) is ok when the power is on, but a terrible idea when you're running off of a battery. I have 123 kWh of battery backup from my electric truck and I still would never use it to heat things. Have to save that for lights, refrigerator, and devices and it'll last a few days. Propane is good for cooking and heating if you don't have natural gas. Much cheaper than a beefy battery that you'll never use otherwise.
EnergyLantern@reddit
I found outdoor solar lamps that take a lithium 14550 battery at Lowes. The solar lamps have to be placed in an area during the winter that get the sunlight for the full day or it won't really be enough power for the whole night. These solar lamps can be brought inside if the power is out. I know there is another solar powered outdoor lamp that has bigger replaceable batteries, but I have to investigate it.
The problem is that these lamps can be stolen if people figure out what you are doing because you would have to guard them outside.
Outside_Simple_217@reddit
If I know that’s power outage is more than likely I:
Own_Exit2162@reddit
2: Heat. You need to start over on this one. Electric blankets are inefficient relative to any power source you may have, hot water bottles are a comfort item but aren't going to be an effective source of warmth, and tents don't provide heat or insulation.
Instead, start by inspecting your home's current insulation. Now is a good time to look for drafts and fill gaps in doors and windows. Second, find an effective heat source that's not electric-dependent. If you don't have a fireplace, you're probably talking about an indoor-safe propane heater like a Mr Heater. I'd recommend you also pick up an extra battery-powered carbon monoxide detector, just in case. Third, it's inefficient to heat the whole house, so identify a smaller, isolated room or space in your home that you can block off, insulate and efficiently heat with the heat source. Buy some thermal curtains or sheets of insulation and whatever supplies you need to super-insulate the room. Figure out how to sleep in that room. Don't use an air mattress without any sort of insulation underneath. Regardless, you should buy a couple closed-cell foam sleeping pads with a decent R-value. Finally, test it out - turn off your heat for a day or two and see how warm you can keep the room with just your emergency supplies.
Mysgvus1@reddit
I recommend head lamps for hands free movement in the dark and thick wool socks as a morale boost. Both these things made life better during the Texas Snowpocalypse years ago.
Reasonable_Action29@reddit
Heat get a big buddy heater. Can run on a 1lb tank for around 10 hours. I keep around 10 of them around. My house was built in 1900 so it has pocket doors separating each room so I use it to cut off half my house and keep it warm enough.
Cooking if you have a gas stove all you need is a match.
eflask@reddit
where I live we can expect short outages ( a few hours) several times a year, outages of about a day once or twice a year, and multi day outages every few years. we've only been out for a week two or three times in my adult life.
I do not burn candles because they WILL leave soot buildup. I have one method of heating that does not rely on electricity.
for decades our water was dependent on electricity so I am in the habit of keeping enough water for several days containered. these days our well system has a backup generator, so we have to be dark for a LOT of days for that to matter. if I need to purify I have ceramic filters and a portable RO system.
I have camping stoves: two burner, one burner, isopro, butane, alcohol.
have more rechargeable lamps and headlamps than one person should reasonably have.
but here's the thing: I am a camping enthusiast, and I regularly winter camp. My house is better than any camp shelter I've ever been in. and I have lovely, lovely down quilts.
advice: don't use your battery to run electric blankets. sleep under better insulation. you are an endotherm. you can make your own heat.
oh. and boardgames. you cannot overestimate the effect of boredom on you as the hours wear on.