There are many ways to stay warm without electricity. If you live in an area where power outages happen often, make sure your house is well insulated and invest in a wood stove or propane heater for backup heat.
If the possibility of winter without heat worries you, or if your home’s heating system has broken down during the cold months already- this article will help keep you warm through the season!
Whatever the case may be, there are plenty of options to stay comfortable during the winter months.
1. Block any gaps or crevices
You might not notice (especially when there’s enough heat in the house), but little gaps around doors and windows let in a decent amount of cold air.
Use some towels or thick blankets to cover any drafts. You can also use tape to make them more secure. It might not be a pretty sight, but it will help keep you warm.
Towels or thick blankets are dense enough to reduce the amount of cold air that can pass through it.
This helps to keep your house warm.
2. Wear a lot of layers
If you happen to be inside your house without power, you should be able to keep warm by putting on more clothes. However, don’t just wear a coat or jumper – insulation is important here.
Layering your clothes is an easy way to keep warm.
By wearing a lot of layers and putting on some (thick) socks and gloves, you will trap air between each layer of clothing
This air will act as insulation – trapping body heat and preventing it from escaping through all those little gaps mentioned earlier.
Consider wearing a vest, a short-sleeved top, a long-sleeved top, and a sweater before wearing your coat. If the temperature is considerably lower than you expect, you can also wear socks, gloves, slippers, and hats.
3. Use Candles – Safely
Even though most people use candles for decorative purposes, they actually can provide warmth when you’re indoors without power.
You can put a few candles around the room you are in as a neutral source of heat. However, you should avoid placing them near curtains or other flammable materials
You might not see it but they do emit some heat. Keep the candle out of the reach of children and pets.
Also, don’t put them in places where they might fall over. Don’t put candles too close to curtains or other flammable materials.
Put out all the candles before going to bed.
4. Insulate Windows and Doors
When it’s cold out, you might want to keep your windows shut as much as possible. This slows down the heat loss from the house
However, if you have a window that is exposed to the elements – snow or rain for example – this will let in chilly drafts. You can fix this by putting up some insulation around it.
Another way to keep heat in the house is to insulate doors. You can make draft stoppers or use towels or blankets as door draft blockers.
5. Use blankets to keep you and your pets warm
In addition to the layers of clothing, make use of blankets to keep warm especially at night and in the evening. If you have pets, then they should also be given blankets.
If you don’t have any blankets, tuck in the bedsheets to keep yourself and your pets warm.
6. Drink hot beverages
Drinking a cup of hot beverage will help keep you warm, not only from the inside but also from the outside. It puts more blood into your hands and feet, which keeps them warmer for a longer period.
Drinking a hot beverage is known to keep you warm and stimulate blood flow.
If you don’t have any hot beverages, then try drinking warm water. Warm water also helps retain heat from outside and keeps you warmer for a longer period of time.
7. Use sleeping bags
Due to their design, sleeping bags are meant to be used outdoors. Using them indoors during a power blackout will provide you with extra warmth.
If you expect to be without electricity for an extended period, then a double insulated sleeping bag may be the best option.
8. Do exercises
It is a known fact that exercises can help to raise the body temperature. A mere 5 minutes of jumping jacks or running on the spot will make you warmer.
It is worth noting exercises will make you sweat and the cold air going in and out of your body will make you feel colder.
9. Set up a tent
Tents tend to become warm very rapidly. If your home is very cold, you can set up a tent inside your house! It looks like an outlandish option, but it can be effective.
You will be able to quickly trap body heat.
If you have a winter tent, then that would be perfect. It will keep you warm and it is also portable.
10. Use water bottles
If you’re lucky enough to be able to heat up water with a camping stove, you can pour it inside a hot water bottle. It can act as a heat source for some hours.
A hot water bottle is a great substitute for a heating pad.
The key thing is to put it close to your feet for the best effect. Combining a hot water bottle with a pair of wool socks can help significantly.
11. Use a log burning furnace
Small furnaces are great for when you’re in the wild. However, they can also be used when you’re indoors without power.
You can buy or make your own furnace that runs on wood or other solid fuels. You could even construct one yourself with limited resources
The size of the furnace will depend on how much heat it needs to produce.
12. Use a shower
It’s a good idea to take a hot, steamy shower before going to bed at night. Not only will you feel completely clean after it, but the time spent under the water will raise your body temperature and make you feel much warmer.
It can also help relax you and promote deeper sleep. A hot shower helps relax your muscles and encourages blood flow.
