Your furnace is essential to getting you through the cold Ohio winter. What happens if a power outage shuts down your system and leaves you without heat? Here are a few alternate heating methods to get you through until power can be restored.
- Kerosene and propane heaters. When the electricity goes out, you need a heater with an alternate power source. Kerosene and propane fuel are both great alternate heating methods, burning efficiently and providing plenty of heat. You just need to be sure to use them properly and safely. Get a ventless model that won’t spout harmful exhaust fumes into your home. Also, place them next to an open window just in case. Finally, be sure to get a model with safety features that protects against overheating and oxygen depletion.
- Pellet stove. Similar to a fireplace, these stoves run on wood pellets that are typically made from sawdust, which burn without harmful exhaust. Pellet stoves are also simple to install and, once set up, will vent their smoke either through the roof or an exterior wall, making them one of the best alternate heating methods.
- Soapstone heater. Simple yet effective, soapstone is great at absorbing heat. Keep it near the furnace or other heat source, and if there’s a power outage, bring it in and it will slowly radiate that heat throughout a room.
- Catalytic gas heater. While these require a propane tank, the heat is produced through a chemical reaction using a catalyst. The reaction combines the propane with oxygen to produce water vapor rather than harmful exhaust. With regular maintenance, this makes a catalytic gas heater a clean, cheap, and effective alternative heating method.
- Solar heating. Requiring no electricity or other fuel source, solar air heaters use the sun’s heat to warm the air. The fan that circulates it through your air is solar powered as well. The drawback is that they don’t store energy, so they don’t work at night. During the day, though, this is a great, clean, and inexpensive option.
For more alternate heating methods for your home, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We provide home-comfort solutions to Lorain, Elyria, and Oberlin.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area