How to Stay Warm When the Power Goes Out

The effects of climate change are more apparent as severe weather such as snowstorms and hurricanes have become more frequent in the United States. These natural disasters cause blackouts or power outages across the U.S. which makes preparing for emergencies all the more important. Climate Central notes that there is roughly a 78% increase in the number of weather-related power outages from 2011-2021 as compared to the previous decade, 2000-2010. The practical question for homeowners now is this: How do you stay warm when the power goes out?

Preparation is Key

Planning ahead is essential to ensure the safety and comfort of your household during power outages especially if there are frequent occurrences of short or prolonged power interruptions in your area. You can prepare an emergency kit with enough potable water, canned, dried, or preserved food, a first aid kit, and solar or hand-powered communication devices.

You can also invest in a reliable solar generator as backup during blackouts or even other emergencies. Nature’s Generator Powerhouse Gold System offers a whole-home power backup system that is expandable depending on your budget and energy needs. It is designed to provide power to essential appliances such as heating or cooling systems during a power outage.

Alternative Heat Sources

If you don’t have a power backup yet, you can keep a pile of firewood that is safely kept in a dry location. This would work best if you have a fireplace or a wood-burning stove that can safely maintain the warmth indoors during an outage. Just remember to never leave an open flame unattended and all the things that are flammable are kept away or at a safe distance. There are also other portable heaters like propane and kerosene heaters but both require proper ventilation especially when they are used indoors.

Always prioritize safety when using alternative heat sources without electricity. Ensure proper ventilation, keep flammable materials away from heating devices, and be on the lookout for carbon monoxide risks. Additionally, follow manufacturer instructions and safety guidelines for each heating option you choose to use.

Seal Windows and Doors

If you find yourself in a sudden power outage with no immediate access to heaters or firewood, you can maintain the warmth indoors by sealing your windows and doors. Make use of what you have by using thick blankets and bubble wrap for insulation to seal the warmest room in your home that your whole household can stay in during the blackout. However, if you have the time to prepare ahead of time, you can inspect your windows and doors to see if you need to apply, weatherstripping, caulk, or plastic sheeting. Doing so will help conserve heat and keep your living space warm when the power goes out.

Wear Layers and Stay Together

If you have family, housemates, or pets at home during a blackout, it would be best to stay in a room upstairs with proper insulation. Keep in mind that staying warm is not only about heating your living space but also about keeping your body warm. You can effectively retain body heat by wearing layers of clothing from socks, scarves, coats, and sweaters. Fleece-lined tights or pants can also help keep your body warm without electricity. If you have kids in the house, you can use the opportunity to set up camp indoors. The tent, sleeping bags, and shared body heat can be incredibly useful during a power outage. 

As you can see, there are a lot of low-tech and practical things that you can do to stay warm without electricity.  Nonetheless, the best way to ensure the safety and comfort of your household during power outages is to have the proper equipment on hand. Nature’s Generator offers starter kits all the way to home backup systems that are made for heavy-duty and longer use.

Eat Hot and Easy Prep Meals

Hot meals and drinks can also help regulate your body temperature. Just remember to be wise in using the resources that you have while the lights are out. Prepare ready-to-eat foods or soups and stews that can be cooked quickly on a gas or camp stove. Hot drinks like cocoa or tea can also go a long way in staying warm and cozy indoors.

Stay Active

Another practical way to stay warm when the power goes out is by moving or doing light physical exercise. You can use your free time by doing the chores or housework that you have been putting off for a while. Clean out your closet, and organize, or rearrange things in your living space during day time to generate body heat and stay warm. If you don’t want to do that, you can opt for a quick yoga or stretching session just to get your blood flowing. You can also spend this time at home together with your loved ones to do fun group activities like board games, and charades while waiting for the power to be restored.

Important Reminders

There are a number of important things that you can do in case you experience a power outage during the winter. You can start by unplugging appliances to prevent damage or electrical issues when the power is restored. You can also wait a few minutes before plugging your devices back in to allow the electrical system to stabilize when the power comes back. You can also maintain communication with family or neighbors and be informed by monitoring local news for emergency broadcasts for updates on the situation.

As you can see, staying warm when the power goes out is not easy but it is entirely possible. Having the right knowledge, supplies, and strategies goes a long way in ensuring that you and your family are able to stay warm, safe, and as comfortable as possible despite having no power from the grid. However, if you want to lessen your dependence on the grid and harness renewable energy at home, please contact our support team and we would be happy to help you choose from our wide range of products that meet your needs.

* We want to give credit where credit is due. Professional writer, Shobe Cruz, contributed research and content to this blog titled: How to Stay Warm When the Power Goes Out Thank you, Shobe, for your contributions!