How to Prepare for Power Outage in Apartment (Heat-wise)

[MaxStravinsky]

If I owned my own place I'd be all over getting a generator and getting prepared for anything. But in a rental, what can I do to be prepared for a cold weather power outage?

Thanks.


Apartment house (1/3 of a large structure) with my own fenced in back yard.

 

[noxin]

Apartment building? apartment House?

a small generator to plug your fridge and an electric space heater into isn't a bad idea IF you have someplace safe to put it. Ie : balacony, backyard, etc. Obviously do not run it indoors

 

[chaser001]

you could buy a large ups system if you don't have a place to run a small generator: IndoorGenerator - Backup Power and Renewable Energy System Sales and Service in Arizona

 

[EJFudd]

If I owned my own place I'd be all over getting a generator and getting prepared for anything. But in a rental, what can I do to be prepared for a cold weather power outage?

Thanks.

Apartment house (1/3 of a large structure) with my own fenced in back yard.

Key words here: "with my own fenced in back yard"

If you have access to a back yard, then you should be able to run your own ~3,000 watt generator (2,800-3,200 watt continuous rating, 4,000 watt peak rating). The Chinese-made ones are relatively inexpensive. The most important thing is to get one with wheels. I own and recommend the Champion brand. They weigh about 100 pounds dry, somewhat more when wet. Some come with weather covers, for some you would have to buy one or, better yet, store it indoors if possible. If you have someone who can help you move it, that is a big plus. Gasoline storage might actually be your biggest challenge.

There are plenty of other small generators available, many a lot lighter and easier to deal with than this one. But one this size will run any refrigerator and will run a 1,500 watt space heater too... although I don't necessarily recommend running both at the same time. It will even run a gas or oil furnace, but you'd need to wire it in temporarily, which can be a little tricky if you haven't done it before and may be slightly illegal too.

 

[MisterHappy]

First: What do you NEED to power?
Second what do you want to power?
Third: how reliable is the local grid, both WRT frequency of outage, and time till the lights come back on?

If you just need it for lights and fridge, then you really may not "need" it - candles/lamps and a cooler outside will do for winter.

Do you have electric or gas stove for cooking? If electric, you'll need an alternate cooking method, as running an electric stove off your genny may not be best.

except in dead winter, 24 hours or less, a generator may be overkill. Not saying don't get it, but think before you buy.

 

[MaxStravinsky]

First: What do you NEED to power?
Second what do you want to power?
Third: how reliable is the local grid, both WRT frequency of outage, and time till the lights come back on?

The local grid is pretty reliable. I'm thinking big winter storm where we might be out of power for days or even weeks. I'm really only confused about how I would keep warm in that scenario.

 

[dlarge]

How is your apartment heated?

I think you were really asking how to keep *warm*.

 

[Terrys]

How is your apartment normally heated?

 

[MaxStravinsky]

Gas heat with floor vents.

 

[dlarge]

How about kerosene heaters?

Amazon.com - Sengoku CV-2230 KeroHeat Convection 23, 000-BTU Portable Kerosene Heater

 

[coastie]

The local grid is pretty reliable. I'm thinking big winter storm where we might be out of power for days or even weeks. I'm really only confused about how I would keep warm in that scenario.

What is the longest your area has been without power in the last 10 years? Have you asked your landlord what they do if the power goes out?

Is the heat a common system or individual to each apt?

 

[Riddermark999]

Try this - Amazon.com - Mr. Heater MRHF273400 Buddy Portable LP Gas Heater

or it's bigger cousin...

This - Amazon.com - Mr. Heater MH18B, Portable Propane Heater

Just make sure you keep your apartment ventilated while using them.

Also, for those mentioning generators and the problem of gas storage you can get a add on part here; Type 4 Tri-Fuel Kit

... that allows your generator to run on propane & natural gas & regular gasoline, all with the flip of a switch.

If your house runs on natural gas you can hook a line up from your house to your generator and for example run your generator 24/7 for a month for probably a $100 or less. That's a whole month round the clock.

If you were to use gasoline then every 10-12 hours you would need to run to your local gas station (if they are able to pump gas because gas stations need power too) with a 5 gallon tank. At lets say $3.50/gallon x 5 gallons = $17.50 x 2/day in 24hr period = $35/day or $1,050/month using regular gasoline.

< $100 or $1,050 ? Choice is clear there.

 

[MaxStravinsky]

Each of the 3 units has its own furnace. We're on our own when we lose power, landlord doesn't do anything.

From what I've read so far, I'm thinking maybe a small kerosene heater would be best. I could store a can of extra fuel in a metal garbage can in the back yard (I'm thinking that's safer than keeping it in the basement with 3 furnaces).

FYI - I'm a female who's pretty good with guns, but no electrical or wiring type skills of any kind.

 

[Steve Marshall]

Why not have a roundtable with the other tenants. Enough electricity to power 3 furnaces? Should be feasible with even a small generator.

 

[fencer]

Be careful. A kerosene heater in a confined space could kill you.

 

[daveyburt]

If in a situation where it may be a few days before power is restored, would you be able to limit yourself to just a room or two in the apt?

I've got a large Mr. Buddy heater. It works well and is rated for ~400 square feet. The Mr. Buddy would (depending on outside temp, and how much you're willing to bundle up inside) probably keep you warm in a limited area for 24 hrs on a small disposable propane tank; such as the walmart 4 packs. By "warm" I mean, ~55 deg / only turning it on when your 'frikkin' cold. You can also feed the Buddy with a larger tank with their hose kit. Though it is a catalyst type heater, there is some open flame and ventilation is a must.

I have a small apt and would feel pretty comfortable with the MR. Buddy, one of those nice Honda inverters for a TV and charging electronics, and camping gear to cook with for a few days without juice. I'm not sure you could run a small fridge on the inverter (start-up load) but, maybe you can.

 

[Terrys]

Gas heat with floor vents.

So, gas forced hot air furnace. I assume there's one for each unit. If it were me, I'd be asking the landlord if he'd allow a professionally installed furnace only transfer switch. Search for GenTran FTR151; cost is about $150. Have an electrician mount it outside. Get yourself a Honda EU2000i; cost is about $900. Plug it into the transfer switch when the power goes out and you'll have heat. When you move, you'll still have the generator.

 

[MisterHappy]

Be careful. A kerosene heater in a confined space could kill you.

and ( as with everything) they're illegal in Mass:

Keep Warm, Keep Safe this Winter 2012 - 2013

Just for heating:

Coleman - ProCat Catalytic Heater with InstaStart Technology

though, those are not shipped to Mass....

 

[Tyke]

When mine went out last winter I made copious use of blankets and a very cold rated sleeping bag (0? -10? -20? I forget the exact rating). That doesn't help with ambient, of course, but if a generator is not an option...

 

[Jamie]

You've answered all the pertinent questions asked. The big one though, is what is your budget? If you can afford a Honda inverter generator, that's the way to go. Quiet, clean, efficient power.

 

[xtry51]

Kerosene heater. Done.

If you want electricity then get a generator.

 

[Palladin]

So, gas forced hot air furnace. I assume there's one for each unit. If it were me, I'd be asking the landlord if he'd allow a professionally installed furnace only transfer switch. Search for GenTran FTR151; cost is about $150. Have an electrician mount it outside. Get yourself a Honda EU2000i; cost is about $900. Plug it into the transfer switch when the power goes out and you'll have heat. When you move, you'll still have the generator.

Good idea, id go for something cheaper. Get a 3000w unit for $400, switch the entire panel so you have lights, heat, etc. Do the entire thing for less than $900 including the generator.
send me a pm

 

[Metalhead]

Try this - Amazon.com - Mr. Heater MRHF273400 Buddy Portable LP Gas Heater

I have one of these. Ended up using it last year when we had no power. It was enough to keep from freezing to death. My house is very poorly insulated. I also use it as a space heater to keep the part of the house we are in a little comfier. That way I can keep the regular heat a bit lower. I refill the one pounders from a BBQ tank.

 

[n1oty]

I'd recommend avoiding kerosene or gas fired unvented space heaters and simply run a couple of electric heaters off a generator. It is certainly much safer.

 

[EJFudd]

Be careful. A kerosene heater in a confined space could kill you.

and ( as with everything ) they're illegal in Mass.

I'd recommend avoiding kerosene or gas fired unvented space heaters and simply run a couple of electric heaters off a generator. It is certainly much safer.

I've got a kerosene heater, but the amount of ventilation needed to keep me from falling ill (or worse) defeats the whole purpose of keeping me warm. Now it is for garage use only. For interior household use, day or night, no thanks.

 

[fubar]

Field expedient emergency fix.

Insulated sheet metal snips to furnace power feed.
Strip insul from furnace side of cut wire.
Jam bare ends into generator socket , one on each half. Or the power inverter in your running truck , with an extension cord.

Should work , probably get you evicted later on.

 

[EJFudd]

Field expedient emergency fix.

Insulated sheet metal snips to furnace power feed.
Strip insul from furnace side of cut wire.
Jam bare ends into generator socket , one on each half. Or the power inverter in your running truck , with an extension cord.

Should work , probably get you evicted later on.

Ha!!! My approach too!!!

Well, not exactly (no cutting on my part) but otherwise identical.

Done it several times at different locations. Kept everyone warm and cozy. Haven't been hauled off to jail yet.

 

[coastie]

I am going to go back to the question of what is the longest your area has been without power/heat in the last 10 years? I ask because while it may be nice to be prepped for several weeks, if the area has never experienced an outage of more than a day then many things are overkill.

Probably your best option would be one of the Buddy heaters. Use it to heat a single room. Hook it up to a 20-30 lb BBQ tank and run thelline up through a window into the room. Make sure that the heater is off before going to bed and have a functioning CO monitor/alarm. Keep that room warm and dont worry about the rest of the house. Is your cookstove gas or electric? If it is gas most can run at least one burner without electricity so you will be able to cook. For extra heat you can heat water on the stove and use a hot water bottle in your rack or sleeping bag for a little extra warmth. Get good quality blankets, sweaters etc and you really can be quite comfortable in cooler temps.

Kerosene lamps can provide a fair amount of heat as well as light. Same with the propane ones but I dont like 1 lb bottles.

 

[Another_David]

When mine went out last winter I made copious use of blankets and a very cold rated sleeping bag (0? -10? -20? I forget the exact rating). That doesn't help with ambient, of course, but if a generator is not an option...

This is your answer. Forget the gas/liquid space heaters in an apartment. You can use them (illegally) to take the chill off for very short periods but it's more of a tease than anything. I don't think it's worth the hassle, danger, and expense.

It is nice to have something to heat up foods, like soup, coffee and tea. Do you have a gas stove--will it run without power? Just boiling some water will warm up the place dramatically but you don't want to try and heat the place with a gas stove because eventually the fumes can build up and kill you. Fill the largest pot of water you have and bring it to a boil every 4 hours.

Get whatever you'd use at least occasionally under normal circumstances. That's rule #1 for budgeting and practicality. You need experience with these gadgets.

If you're into camping, get a good sleeping bag and portable gas/alcohol stove.

If you hate camping get a couple wool blankets and some sterno fuel cans, which are cheap and can be used indoors, outside (for camping too actually), at parties, whatever. A gas grill (used outside) is good to have too if you're into grilling, which you can get them in tailgating size or full size of course.

AND a nice wool hat is priceless. 10 years ago when my apartment heat failed I slept like a baby with my wool hat, sweat pants, and a few blankets. I ran the faucets to a slow drip to prevent the pipes from freezing and it was so cold I had to break up the ice dams in the sink. but the pipes never did freeze and I was fine.

If you still have money to burn a good, portable generator is a luxury at $1k. The Honda ones are whisper quiet and again can be used camping--you see them in Boston all the time powering food carts and most people don't even know they're there. The cheaper generators will wake the dead so they won't work in an apartment situation.

 

[mg42doc]

Boiling water will heat things up a bit. It gets pretty warm in here when I make corned beef and cabbage for st. Patrick's day..

A simple answer would be to get a good sleeping bag and a tent. Set the tent up in your apartment. Your body heat should keep it plenty warm in there. It's probably the cheapest solution. You can spend all day in there if you wanted to...