Winter in the northeast means cold, snow, and ice, often in extremes. In many cases, these situations can lead to power outages, whether due to trees on lines or vehicles hitting power poles. What’s your backup plan for heating your home during a winter storm if you lose power? Here’s a quick list of backup heating sources for your Rochester home that will keep you warm during winter’s worst.
Do You Have a Backup Heat Source for Winter Storms?
If you already heat with propane or natural gas, even if it’s just a backup gas log, you should be able to heat your home from these sources for an extended period of time, provided that there is enough of a supply to keep things running. However, if you have an electric ignition for a furnace, you’ll need a generator to start the furnace and operate the blower, among other parts. This was a lesson learned the hard way by many families in the fall of 2003 when the northeast blackout prevented them from heating their homes.
However, that doesn’t mean if you have a gas range that you should simply operate it by manually lighting the burners to provide heat in the home. Depending on the specific type of range, this could cause carbon monoxide to build up in your home, especially if you don’t have an operational stove hood fan due to a power outage. It can also be very hard on your stovetop. Staying warm just to die from carbon monoxide poisoning isn’t a win.
If you have a wood or pellet stove, or a fireplace that can burn wood or pellets, you already have a chimney capable of drafting the smoke outside of your home, giving you a safe alternative. Make sure that the wood you burn is well seasoned to prevent excess smoke and creosote from building up, and keep your chimney in good repair, including seasonal maintenance and cleanings.
If you don’t have a safe backup heating source for your Rochester home, it’s time to look at getting one installed. From gas fireplaces to wood fireplaces and more, the Rochester team at Four Winds Chimney can help you decide which option is best for your home and can provide you with a quote on how much it would cost to have it installed. Please feel free to contact us today to get started.
