Do you have backup heat source?
Jan 12th 2017, 12:59 pm
#31
Nuther day in paradise.ca
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Ajax, Ontario
Posts: 7,263
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
Car batteries are not suited to running appliances as they are short boost power batteries. You would need a large amp leisure battery, as these have a slower more even discharge.
Jan 12th 2017, 1:13 pm
#32
Stand-up Philosopher
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Regina Saskatchewan
Posts: 16,344
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
When it's -30 it doesn't take long for a house to get cold without the furnace fan. I have heaters and a generator that I've only used a few times but I'd have to change the oil before using again as it's about 10 years old. There is a fireplace but it doesn't really throw a lot of heat, certainly not beyond the front room. A well insulated house with a properly installed radiant-floor heating system can stay warm for a few days after the power goes out, and obviously stay warm forever with a multi-fuel boiler. Pellet stoves have their proponents for similar reasons.
Last edited by caretaker; Jan 12th 2017 at 1:59 pm. Reason: + the cat, I forgot
Jan 12th 2017, 1:53 pm
#33
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
We have a rather splendid insert wood burner in our fireplace, but the fan associated with it is hydro driven. Likewise our oil fired forced air furnace is - i'm pretty sure - hydro driven (pilot light etc). I have been considering a backup generator for a while. Anyone know a good one? Not crazy expensive as would be in the garage or outhouse so doesn't need to be particularly quiet, I guess just powerful
Installing the patch panel to plug it in was about $2000.
Jan 12th 2017, 1:57 pm
#34
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
My stepson is in the same position.
He has a log burner in the basement (vented to the main floor) and lots of wood. He also has a sump pump and a well.
To compound problems, he's away a lot and for extended periods. A mate of his is keeping an eye on the place but you never know. Today would not be a good day for an outage. It's well above zero and raining.
I think I'll tell him to give his mate a nudge.
We should probably invest in a generator.
He has a log burner in the basement (vented to the main floor) and lots of wood. He also has a sump pump and a well.
To compound problems, he's away a lot and for extended periods. A mate of his is keeping an eye on the place but you never know. Today would not be a good day for an outage. It's well above zero and raining.
I think I'll tell him to give his mate a nudge.
We should probably invest in a generator.
Jan 12th 2017, 2:08 pm
#35
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
I may look into this a bit more. Just buying a unit. We have a network of beer & pizza tradesmen up there. Always handy.......
Jan 12th 2017, 2:30 pm
#37
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,837
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
Could you get one of those power packs for a back up for your aquarium, perhaps, and get a sheet of insulation that you could cut and put around the tank (stick it together with a bit of gorilla tape)?
MotoMaster Eliminator PowerBox® 600 | Canadian Tire
MotoMaster Eliminator PowerBox® 600 | Canadian Tire
Jan 12th 2017, 4:11 pm
#38
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2012
Location: Qc, Canada
Posts: 3,787
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
We were fortunate last night and didn't have the power go out, but many did as the winds were wicked fierce with some area's seeing gusts upwards of 90-100 km/h.
Overnight low was around -8C.
Got me thinking how many out there have back up heat sources that don't rely on electricity to operate.
So do you have any sort of backup for heat?
We are in an apartment so I doubt there are any options for apartment dwellers, since you can't exactly add a wood stove or fireplace to it.. And generators are prohibited due to noise/require gas to run and gas powered things are not allowed on the patio unless it's a propane bbq.
Overnight low was around -8C.
Got me thinking how many out there have back up heat sources that don't rely on electricity to operate.
So do you have any sort of backup for heat?
We are in an apartment so I doubt there are any options for apartment dwellers, since you can't exactly add a wood stove or fireplace to it.. And generators are prohibited due to noise/require gas to run and gas powered things are not allowed on the patio unless it's a propane bbq.
Way back when I lived in the back-of-nowhere we had wood stove & (eventually) a generator. Water supply, & keeping pipes from freezing was as great (if not greater than) a concern as heat.
I posted just last week about how a ~36 hr power cut affected me & mine when staying at my daughter's...
Jan 12th 2017, 4:27 pm
#39
Listen to the Music
Joined: Mar 2013
Location: Fraser Valley BC
Posts: 4,722
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
Does this power a plug in kettle or even a pop-up toaster? I keep reading contradictory reviews about its capabilities
http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Cana...id=225&hei=225
http://s7d5.scene7.com/is/image/Cana...id=225&hei=225
My two slice toater is rated at 850W and most kettles will be at least that.
'Built-in 120 W modified sine wave inverter powers one AC outlet to run electronics, small-to-medium appliances, and tools (refer to the specifications label of your appliance to confirm it's power consumption)'
Jan 12th 2017, 5:06 pm
#40
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,129
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
We have oil fired radiation so I suppose the backup would be a couple of elec plug in heaters in the event of a boiler failure. A power outage would be more troublesome as we lost both heat and water (we're on a well). It's also relatively straightforward to protect against as we'd need a gennie and a transfer panel. I recently got a quote for the latter of around $650 installed. Truth to tell we've only had one power outage in the winter thats lasted more than a few hours so the need doesn't seem that pressing.
Jan 12th 2017, 5:10 pm
#41
Dive Bar Drunk
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 8,649
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
Last summer when we had our endless power outages in Downtown Toronto I found solitude in the bars and pubs of the city.
In fact I did that before and after the power outages too.
In fact I did that before and after the power outages too.
Jan 12th 2017, 5:29 pm
#42
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
Jan 12th 2017, 6:06 pm
#43
Account Closed
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
That inverter would provide enough power. I'm not sure how long a battery would stay charged but practically over the long term you would probably really need a battery charge; ideally a "smart charger" that you could just leave connected and forget about until you need a charged battery. The first question you need to ask yourself is how long would you want to be able to run the heater and also would you want to be able to run a light or anything else etc off it as well? Once you have a rough idea of demand you can then try and calculate your battery needs. To give you an example a 100 watt heater running for 40% of the time would flatten a decent deep cycle battery in about a day.
Really never thought of it until this winter since it's been colder then average, and this apartment retains little heat, so once the heat is off, the temp drops quickly when cold out.
Easiest way to keep oxygen levels up and good gas exchange is using a battery operated air pump and air stone. They run about $15 and run on D batteries (sometimes C batteries depending on brand)
The one in the link is useful as it comes on automatically in an outage.
Aqua Top AC/DC One Battery Powered Air Pump
Good to know.
Last edited by scrubbedexpat091; Jan 12th 2017 at 6:09 pm.
Jan 12th 2017, 6:35 pm
#44
Oscar nominated
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,837
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
No. The rated output is only 120W at 110V or 1amp....
My two slice toater is rated at 850W and most kettles will be at least that.
'Built-in 120 W modified sine wave inverter powers one AC outlet to run electronics, small-to-medium appliances, and tools (refer to the specifications label of your appliance to confirm it's power consumption)'
My two slice toater is rated at 850W and most kettles will be at least that.
'Built-in 120 W modified sine wave inverter powers one AC outlet to run electronics, small-to-medium appliances, and tools (refer to the specifications label of your appliance to confirm it's power consumption)'
It will run "small to medium appliances" but not a kettle or toaster.
What are these small to medium appliances that are smaller than kettles and toasters?
Jan 12th 2017, 6:44 pm
#45
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Re: Do you have backup heat source?
We were fortunate last night and didn't have the power go out, but many did as the winds were wicked fierce with some area's seeing gusts upwards of 90-100 km/h.
Overnight low was around -8C.
Got me thinking how many out there have back up heat sources that don't rely on electricity to operate.
So do you have any sort of backup for heat?
We are in an apartment so I doubt there are any options for apartment dwellers, since you can't exactly add a wood stove or fireplace to it.. And generators are prohibited due to noise/require gas to run and gas powered things are not allowed on the patio unless it's a propane bbq.
Overnight low was around -8C.
Got me thinking how many out there have back up heat sources that don't rely on electricity to operate.
So do you have any sort of backup for heat?
We are in an apartment so I doubt there are any options for apartment dwellers, since you can't exactly add a wood stove or fireplace to it.. And generators are prohibited due to noise/require gas to run and gas powered things are not allowed on the patio unless it's a propane bbq.