I am looking for alternative ways to heat a home without power? I have looked into Kerosene but am concerned it may not be safe due to emissions (is this true?). I have also considered a wood stove, but they are fairley expensive.

-- Bill Silvius (silviusfamily@juno.com), October 13, 1998

Answers

Kerosene heaters can be dangerous just like like any other combustion heating source. However, it is reasonably safe to store the fuel. Its a reasonable alternative for 2 - 4 weeks of heat. If you are thinking longer, consider getiing a woodstove. A cheap (but fairly well made ) one can be had for $150 from Harbor Freight Tools http://www.harborfreight.com . I bought this stove and I am happy with it. Remember you need a way to accomodate a chimney (can be metal).Harbor freight also sells generators (including diesel). The catalog is a great tools source.

-- R. D..Herring (drherr@erols.com), October 13, 1998.

Wood.....if you live in (or near) an area in which wood has been used for heating for a long time.

This summer I bought a small coal/wood stove at auction for $15. [The coal/wood combo means the stove is built to take the greater heat put out by coal, but it will burn wood quite well.]

I went to 4 auctions and saw a total of 6 stoves auctioned. The most expensive one was $35.

The key is that in this area (West Virginia) you can drive the ridges on a cold winter morning and see smoke rising from the 'hollars' because wood is a standard fuel.

A lot of used stoves are avasilable. I'm going to an auction this weekend that has a Majestic wood cook stove. Bet you it goes for under $100. If it goes over $150 I don't want it. That's for a cook stove that will also heat a portion of the house.

If you're willing to take a little time, find areas like this near you, subscribe to a local paper, and watch the auction ads.

These are used, of course. So what? Especially if you're prepaining on a limited budget.

rocky

-- rocky (rknolls@hotmail.com), October 14, 1998.

IN THE AREA WHICH WE LIVE WOOD HEAT IS KING. THE FUEL (WOOD)IS CHEAP. BE SURE TO CUT AND STACK YOUR WOOD IN THE SUMMER AS IT WILL NEED TO CURE. I PREFER WOOD HEATERS WHICH HAVE ASH DRAWERS UNDER THE GRATE. IF YOU DO NOT GET THIS TYPE OF WOOD HEATER YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE FIRE GOES OUT BEFORE YOU CAN REMOVE THE ASHES. THIS IS A REAL HASSEL IF YOU LIVE IN A COLD AREA.

THE ONLY REASON MY FIRE EVER GOES OUT IN THE WINTER MONTHS IS TO ALLOW FOR THE CLEANING OUT OF THE STOVE PIPE. CREOSOTE WILL BUILD UP AND YOU MUST CLEAN THIS STUFF OUT EVERY SO OFTEN AS IT WILL CAUSE FLUE FIRES. HEATING WITH WOOD IS SAFE AND EFFECIENT IF DONE PROPERLY AND ITS GOOD EXERCISE TOO. ENJOY

-- WAYNE WITCHER (WWITCHER@MVTEL.NET), October 19, 1998.

Wayne, thanks for the info. But, just to let you know, using all capitals is considered yelling. On the Internet, it is known as "bad netiquette." :-)

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), October 20, 1998.

Yes, teacher.....

-- Robert A. Cook, P.E. (cook.r@csaatl.com), October 20, 1998.