What do apartment dwellers do in cold states when they lose power?

[raccoon]

I live in upstate SC. Yesterday we lost power. I live in an apartment if there is no power there’s no heat.

Luckily, we got it back after eight hours. The house cooled down somewhat but wearing my layers it wasn’t bad.

What do you do if you are in an area where the temperature can go down to -20 or colder and you don’t have power?

[janterry]

1. Not an apartment dweller but I have a woodstove

but it is small and I don't use it much. I'm thinking of replacing it with a larger one.

I keep the heat at 50 degrees (day and night) - so, I'm used to the house being a bit cool. In the daytime, if there is sun - I open all the curtains. It warms the house quite a bit. Yesterday the house was at 53 degrees during the day, despite the temps outside (low 30's).

ETA: Have you seen these? I sure wouldn't use them at night - but if I were up and watchful, I'd give this a try

[Sherman A1]

4. Looks like a good idea

When we lost power years ago in an ice storm. I stayed with the house to keep water running a bit to protect the plumbing and the wife went to her brothers. I used some tea candles as a source of heat. This however looks more effective than just putting them on a plate as I did.

[trof]

9. That looks neat.

Gotta try it.

[raccoon]

14. If anybody tries it, let us know how it worked. I wonder if you need to use

Old copper pennies, as opposed to the pennies we have now which I think might be made out of recycled beer cans.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Unfortunately the desperate search for heat can often lead to tragic fires.

Many people turn on their stoves and ovens. Some may die because of carbon monoxide. Some may have things near the stove catch on fire and spread to the unit and then throughout the complex.

[eShirl]

3. the Ice Storm of '98 (January in Maine)

We were lucky; our downstairs neighbor invited us to use their gas cookstove while they took off for Grandma's. It was so cold that food didn't stay warm very long, but I'd fill my good steel thermos from her teakettle and we had plenty of tea, instant cocoa and instant coffee. Hot drinks are the BEST!!!

We spent most of the time, however, in our big queen-size bed, under several layers of blankets topped with a heavy 3-season sleeping bag unzipped like a comforter. (This was a magnet for our two cats, making it nice and toasty for everyone.) I think we also kept a few candles burning in one of the metal double sinks for a while, where they couldn't catch anything on fire.

[PJMcK]

5. From my boating days

When I did a lot of sailing and cruising, I had one of these alcohol heaters:

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/origo--heat-pal-5100-alcohol-heater--171306?recordNum=4

I've used it a number of time in the house when the power has gone out.

When used safely, it is an amazing source of heat. Plus, it doubles as a single-burner stove!

[bif]

6. We have a gas oven.

So we crank it up and keep the door open when we lost power in the winter.

[smirkymonkey]

7. Lots of sweaters, layers and blankets!

Lost power one winter in my apt. building for about 4 days. They put the condo owners up in a hotel, but I rent so I would have had to pay for myself. No water either because electricity was needed to pump the water up to my floor. It kind of sucked.

[aikoaiko]

8. Yiffing

[raccoon]

10. Elucidate, my dear Watson. Nt

[whistler162]

11. Goto the roof and sit....

'cause everyone knows heat rises.

[jpak]

12. Buy some of these

Each one puts out 1400 BTU

Six will keep you lit and warm.

PS - buy the low-odor kerosene and learn how to trim wicks.

[cwydro]

13. I don't live in an apartment, but I have a small propane heater that is safe for inside use.

I bought it a local hardware store, but I think even Walmart has them. About $70.

Small propane bottle lasts almost six hours. Great little heater.

[jrandom421]

15. For me

It'a an Eddie Bauer down comforter and a Little Buddy propane heater with a CO auto shutoff