Good day!
Currently, many people are buying various electric heating devices. It seems these are mostly individuals who heat with gas and fear that the gas supply might be cut off during winter. Or they believe that heating with electricity is cheaper than gas, which is nonsense and would remain so even if gas prices continue to rise. If people start using all these devices they are buying now, utility providers will face serious problems.
My oil tank is full. However, my oil-fired central heating system would also fail in the event of a power outage, because suddenly many gas customers would want to heat electrically. Therefore, I wonder: How should one realistically prepare to at least keep the heating system running? I have a small power generator, with enough capacity to supply electricity to the heating system. But the system is not designed to simply plug into a socket; it is permanently wired.
Would it be a good idea to have an electrician modify the system so that, if necessary, the plug can be unplugged from the outlet (which must be located behind the heating emergency switch) and connected to the generator, which could be placed outside the heating room window with the cable fed through the window?
I have several cans of Aspen fuel stored for this small generator. Aspen is chosen to ensure that even after years of non-use, nothing clogs and the device remains ready to operate. But I would need to significantly increase my fuel supply.
What kind of preparations have you made?
Matthias
Currently, many people are buying various electric heating devices. It seems these are mostly individuals who heat with gas and fear that the gas supply might be cut off during winter. Or they believe that heating with electricity is cheaper than gas, which is nonsense and would remain so even if gas prices continue to rise. If people start using all these devices they are buying now, utility providers will face serious problems.
My oil tank is full. However, my oil-fired central heating system would also fail in the event of a power outage, because suddenly many gas customers would want to heat electrically. Therefore, I wonder: How should one realistically prepare to at least keep the heating system running? I have a small power generator, with enough capacity to supply electricity to the heating system. But the system is not designed to simply plug into a socket; it is permanently wired.
Would it be a good idea to have an electrician modify the system so that, if necessary, the plug can be unplugged from the outlet (which must be located behind the heating emergency switch) and connected to the generator, which could be placed outside the heating room window with the cable fed through the window?
I have several cans of Aspen fuel stored for this small generator. Aspen is chosen to ensure that even after years of non-use, nothing clogs and the device remains ready to operate. But I would need to significantly increase my fuel supply.
What kind of preparations have you made?
Matthias
Phew, checking winter clothes... and buying a few packs of pasta and sauce, plus an 11kg (24 lb) gas bottle for the grill 😳
Seriously: Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that scenario, because if everyone starts prepping, it will only lead to shortages of already limited supplies. And if the power goes out, nothing can be produced anymore! Refrigeration in stores will fail, etc.
Seriously: Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that scenario, because if everyone starts prepping, it will only lead to shortages of already limited supplies. And if the power goes out, nothing can be produced anymore! Refrigeration in stores will fail, etc.
There are still some questions:
- How long can the generator run continuously?
- What is the noise level like at night?
Bonus (more relevant for extended outages):
- Do you possibly have a sewage lift pump that also requires power?
- What about refrigerators?
- How is your water supply from the network—can the utility provide it?
- Can you support your neighbors? 🙂
- How long can the generator run continuously?
- What is the noise level like at night?
Bonus (more relevant for extended outages):
- Do you possibly have a sewage lift pump that also requires power?
- What about refrigerators?
- How is your water supply from the network—can the utility provide it?
- Can you support your neighbors? 🙂
Yes, I admit that this is a very complex topic and, of course, it would be best if such situations did not occur. We live in a highly complex society that depends on many systems functioning properly.
My house is built with very good building materials, so even if the heating fails, it will still not fully cool down for several days. However, it is crucial to prevent water pipes from freezing, as that would cause water damage. I don’t see refrigerators as much of a problem in winter since you can simply keep items outside. I also don’t expect a water supply outage because the Berlin water utility has large diesel generators at their water treatment plants.
Overall, I’m not concerned with “luxury” but only with maintaining the essential basic functions needed for survival. I don’t need to watch TV or make tea then. I wouldn’t be able to work anyway because none of my equipment would operate without power.
Until recently, I would have considered such concerns exaggerated, but until two years ago, I couldn’t have imagined that toilet paper and pasta could become scarce.
Matthias
My house is built with very good building materials, so even if the heating fails, it will still not fully cool down for several days. However, it is crucial to prevent water pipes from freezing, as that would cause water damage. I don’t see refrigerators as much of a problem in winter since you can simply keep items outside. I also don’t expect a water supply outage because the Berlin water utility has large diesel generators at their water treatment plants.
Overall, I’m not concerned with “luxury” but only with maintaining the essential basic functions needed for survival. I don’t need to watch TV or make tea then. I wouldn’t be able to work anyway because none of my equipment would operate without power.
Until recently, I would have considered such concerns exaggerated, but until two years ago, I couldn’t have imagined that toilet paper and pasta could become scarce.
Matthias
driver55 schrieb:
Sorry, but you can also overdo it with precaution/fear. You can overdo anything. But what is wrong with people thinking things through? Everyone should take some time to sit down calmly and consider scenarios. Whether and to what extent someone wants to take precautions depends on their personality.
In any case, I don’t think it’s appropriate to criticize this.
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