Hello everyone,
we heat our house with geothermal energy and are very satisfied with it. When we built the house, we included a chimney, but we never installed a fireplace. By now, we are not really keen on having one. The house stays evenly warm due to its relatively good insulation value, so there is hardly any desire to cozy up by a fireplace.
However, the reports about power outages make me somewhat uncertain. We could probably manage through a 1- or 2-day outage. But if the power went out for a longer period in winter, we have no alternative heating option. Therefore, we are considering installing a small wood stove. Prices for them are, of course, very high, and availability is sometimes ridiculous. It would also need to be connected properly. Do you think it still makes sense?
we heat our house with geothermal energy and are very satisfied with it. When we built the house, we included a chimney, but we never installed a fireplace. By now, we are not really keen on having one. The house stays evenly warm due to its relatively good insulation value, so there is hardly any desire to cozy up by a fireplace.
However, the reports about power outages make me somewhat uncertain. We could probably manage through a 1- or 2-day outage. But if the power went out for a longer period in winter, we have no alternative heating option. Therefore, we are considering installing a small wood stove. Prices for them are, of course, very high, and availability is sometimes ridiculous. It would also need to be connected properly. Do you think it still makes sense?
I also sleep better knowing that I can somehow manage through a blackout lasting over two weeks. Being fully equipped is expensive and time-consuming, but having enough water, maybe getting a water filter, and making sure you can cook or at least eat something—that’s not so bad…
When it really happens, the question is what exactly will be going on, and then I’m not sure if a generator will still be useful for you (-;
When it really happens, the question is what exactly will be going on, and then I’m not sure if a generator will still be useful for you (-;
HausiKlausi22 Oct 2022 22:44In recent years, I have often experienced situations that I did not really consider likely to happen, such as a global pandemic, energy prices reaching extreme levels, empty store shelves, war in the middle of Europe, and so on. Therefore, I would not underestimate the importance of having something for emergencies. In the end, this is not purely a cost-benefit decision, which currently works against having a fireplace. But...
In my view, a fireplace is always an add-on that is relatively easy and still reasonably affordable to implement but can be quite helpful if needed. Even if it is just a small 4 kW stove. You can install it yourself, with acceptance then by the chimney inspector (sweeper). For safety, schedule a preliminary appointment beforehand. Even so, it can be done within two weeks.
(P.S.: Of course, if the power outage lasts a LONG time, a fireplace won’t help much anymore because the issues then are different—food, gasoline, water, etc. At that point, it’s already too late, and we would be talking about completely different conditions).
In my view, a fireplace is always an add-on that is relatively easy and still reasonably affordable to implement but can be quite helpful if needed. Even if it is just a small 4 kW stove. You can install it yourself, with acceptance then by the chimney inspector (sweeper). For safety, schedule a preliminary appointment beforehand. Even so, it can be done within two weeks.
(P.S.: Of course, if the power outage lasts a LONG time, a fireplace won’t help much anymore because the issues then are different—food, gasoline, water, etc. At that point, it’s already too late, and we would be talking about completely different conditions).
T
Traumfaenger23 Oct 2022 00:02K a t j a schrieb:
Hello everyone,
we heat our house with geothermal energy and are very happy with it. When we built the house, we included a chimney, but we never installed the fireplace. By now, we’re not really keen on having one. The house stays evenly warm thanks to the relatively good insulation, so there’s hardly any desire to cozy up by a fireplace.
However, the news about power outages is making me a bit uneasy... If you don’t really need a fireplace, I wouldn’t buy one. If you just want a backup heating solution, an 11-liter (3-gallon) gas cylinder plus a 4.4 kW gas heater for around 100 USD will be enough. You won’t get that kind of heating power at this price with a stove. And once the emergency is over, you can return the gas cylinder and easily accept the 27 USD cost for the gas heater... There’s a lot of money being made at the moment from panic, with emergency ration stocks for a family of four for two weeks being offered at nearly 1,200 USD, bug-out bags, and so on. I wouldn’t let that unsettle you.
Traumfaenger schrieb:
An 11-liter (3 gallons) gas cylinder plus a 4.4 kW gas space heater is also enough for around 100 EUR.For indoor use? I’m curious to see an example of where you can buy that…
schubert7923 Oct 2022 05:48I recommend the popular prepper websites on the internet. Just try searching on Google. They used to be laughed at, but nowadays these sites are highly sought after!
ypg schrieb:
For the interior? I'm really curious to see an example of where you can buy something like that… Using a gas cylinder also adds humidity to the house, which a new build definitely won't appreciate 😳
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