Winter heating?? Portable Kerosene as a backup heating method? Your thoughts

[Bufford]

I use a Honda 2500 watt and it will power most things in the house during power outages that come frequently around here. It is great to take a shower, run the airconditioner and fridge knowing that there are many others who will have to dump out their fridges after the power finally returns.

One thing should be pointed out here, many of you have fine generators, but make sure there is plenty of fresh gas available. I keep several jerry cans full, and I rotate them regularly, and when in doubt use the fuel for the truck and then refill them to keep the supply fresh. Don't store gas and forget about it as it does go stale, and gas goes off faster in hot weather than in winter. Use fuel stabilizer for any fuel remaining in the generator, keep it full for storage, or drain it it out and the run the generator to empty the carburator for long term storage. For many this is not usually a problem as the power goes out several times a year.

 

[messer454]

I have a kerosene heater and 2 jugs of kerosene in the shed. If I lose power for an extended period of time here in Ohio, my plan was to set the tent up in the family room, open the window partway, fire up the kerosene heater while we are up and around, and turn it off at night while we sleep in the tent. Just like camping without the wind. i have never had to do it though so I can't say how well it will actually work. Figure I could get by for a couple of days.

I also have a small propane heater, propane cook stove, and enough hose to get it from outside, through the window into my kitchen or into the garage to cook if I have to.

 

[LoveTheBlade]

Invest in a diesel generator, we have three to four outages a year where we live in NY. And it always takes a while to get the power back. I've had several gas generator's, but they burn alot of fuel. I invested in a diesel 20kw, and a transfer
Switch. The diesel runs cool, and I used about 10 gallons in about 30 hours which is quite good considering we had everything in the house running. I'm in the process of building a shed where I'm going to stick the generator, vent it through the roof and run it off of a 55 gallon drum.

 

[soapboxpreacher]

If I were to stay at this house I would actually do a generac natural gas and power part of my panel. Big bucks! But quiet, reliable energy. Maybe in the next house

 

[Kiah]

Before I switched to wood I used a kerosene heater all the time when the power would go out. Never had any problems, though this place isn't exactly air tight.

Don't know about where you're at, but here clear Kerosene can be pumped at most gas stations for a lot less than the hardware store tins.

 

[Kiah]

I believe a 10K might cover the job (1.2 gallons for 15 hours on high), They are cheap around $100 just not sure if I should do a Omni directional or a directional.

I prefer the omni, but have both. Might wanna check around junk stores and such as well. Kerosene heaters aren't very high tech and people tend to dump 'em if an ignition wire comes loose or the wick clogs. I can find 'em for around $10 pretty commonly. A used heater plus a new wick wouldn't set you back much. Just watch for rust in the tank and missing parts if you go that route.