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
SumsumBiene9 Aug 2022 10:48We have a wood stove in the living room and an old wood-burning stove in the kitchen. So heating and indoor cooking are possible. For outdoor cooking, we also have two Dutch ovens. We also have plenty of candles.
...oh yes... and a potato cellar. That's where we would store the items from the refrigerator.
However, I am optimistic and will not stockpile food by the kilogram. At most, two or three crates of water.
...oh yes... and a potato cellar. That's where we would store the items from the refrigerator.
However, I am optimistic and will not stockpile food by the kilogram. At most, two or three crates of water.
An important step is to discuss practical ways to save energy with friends, neighbors, etc. Lower the temperatures in the living area and clarify with the landlord what can possibly be adjusted on the heating system (flow temperatures, etc.)—or, as a homeowner, what should be done—to prevent a complete system failure from occurring.
SumsumBiene9 Aug 2022 10:54Power outages are not enjoyable in the summer either. Last year, an important overhead power line was cut during construction work. The entire northern district was without electricity for almost two hours (that doesn’t sound long, but it was enough for the refrigerated counters... a lot had to be thrown away). Almost all stores had to close because the cash registers didn’t work either. Phone, internet, fuel stations, and so on—nothing worked anymore.
When we built the house, I decided against installing a fireplace or masonry heater. My parents’ house next door has one, and there is a sufficient supply of firewood on their property. In an extreme situation, such as a multi-day power outage, we would probably move over to my parents’ house.
However, in that case, you would likely need to shut off the main water supply valve right at the street to prevent the pipe from bursting before the main shut-off valve if everything freezes. Water in the basement would be, for me, the ultimate disaster.
Matthias
However, in that case, you would likely need to shut off the main water supply valve right at the street to prevent the pipe from bursting before the main shut-off valve if everything freezes. Water in the basement would be, for me, the ultimate disaster.
Matthias
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xMisterDx9 Aug 2022 10:54I find it somewhat strange to get worked up about the concerns of gas customers while having an oil tank in the basement that is probably full, and even considering a backup diesel generator...
I bought electric heaters because I have a very small child and a small child at home... and I want to keep their rooms at a comfortable temperature no matter the cost.
Regarding the price question:
Gas prices for new contracts, including this new surcharge, are now around 30 cents/kWh. Even if electricity soon costs 40 or 50 cents/kWh, I don’t see a huge difference that would stop me from turning on an electric heater...
Toilet paper and pasta were never in short supply. They are temporarily scarce because continuous production without significant stockpiling simply cannot absorb panic buying.
I bought electric heaters because I have a very small child and a small child at home... and I want to keep their rooms at a comfortable temperature no matter the cost.
Regarding the price question:
Gas prices for new contracts, including this new surcharge, are now around 30 cents/kWh. Even if electricity soon costs 40 or 50 cents/kWh, I don’t see a huge difference that would stop me from turning on an electric heater...
Toilet paper and pasta were never in short supply. They are temporarily scarce because continuous production without significant stockpiling simply cannot absorb panic buying.
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