Heating & Light Without Power
⚠️ Danger to life: carbon monoxide (CO)
CO is odourless, invisible and deadly. Symptoms: headache, nausea, dizziness, tiredness — then get out into the fresh air immediately!
NEVER indoors: charcoal barbecue, petrol generator, gas radiant heater without a flue, camping stove without ventilation. Get a CO detector (battery-powered) if you heat with gas/fire.
⚠️ Heat pump = total failure in a blackout
If you heat with a heat pump, it fails completely along with the power — and is usually too big for a typical portable generator (starting currents, several kW; such a generator supplies fridge/router/lights, not the heating). Gas and oil heating systems don't run without electricity either (controls, pump). Consequence for winter: the "keep the warmth in" strategy below is your plan A. Worth considering as plan B: a paraffin (kerosene) heater (a safety-tested model; in Germany DIN-tested) + CO detector, or in the long term a wood-burning stove.
Keep the warmth in (more important than generating heat)
- Choose one zone: the smallest room that is easy to insulate (south-facing/interior room), everyone stays there
- Doors closed, seal gaps under doors with towels/blankets
- Windows: shutters/blinds down, curtains closed, at night also hang blankets over the windows
- Insulate the floor (rugs, mattresses — cold comes from below)
- Use sunny windows during the day (open the curtains in direct sunlight)
- Layering principle for clothing: several thin layers > one thick one. Wear a hat indoors too!
- Sleep together in one room, share sleeping bags/blankets
- Eat and drink warm food (see cooking), move around at intervals
Don't forget to air the room briefly
Even in an emergency, air the room fully 2–3× a day for 5 min. (moisture/CO₂ out, prevent mould) — this costs less heat than you'd think.
Safe indoor heat sources
- Wood-burning stove (approved, with chimney): the best option. Store firewood dry
- Candles: minimal heat, fire hazard — never unattended, stable holders, keep away from anything flammable
- Tealight heater (clay pots over tealights): radiant heat for the immediate vicinity, doesn't heat a room. Max. 3–4 tealights, spaced apart (risk of a wax fire if too many are close together!)
- Hot-water bottles in clothing/bed — very efficient
- Paraffin heater (wick type, safety-tested): only with regular airing + CO detector
Protecting water pipes/heating from frost
If the heating fails for a long time in winter: - Water pipes in unheated rooms: turn off the water and drain the pipes (open the taps) - Toilet cisterns/traps: add antifreeze or salt if rooms drop below 0 °C - Letting taps drip helps against freezing in the short term
Light
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| LED head torch | Best option: hands free, economical (50–100 h per set of batteries) |
| LED torch | Good; keep a uniform battery supply (AA/AAA) |
| LED camping lantern | Room light, for the family table |
| Wind-up/solar lamp | Unlimited, but weak light |
| Candles | Atmosphere + emergency light, fire hazard, consume oxygen |
| Phone torch | Emergencies only — the battery is too precious! |
Tip: a water bottle in front of the head torch/lantern = diffuse room light.
Battery supply
- Standardise on AA and AAA; lithium cells keep for 10+ years in storage
- Rechargeable batteries (e.g. Eneloop type) + solar/USB charger = sustainable
- Batteries stored cold last longer, but bring them to room temperature before use