Being pro-active with winter's approach

[Dollythehun]

It's big but not ugly. It can wall mount. It worked but wouldn't go down low enough and I too have qualms about using propane in the house. In a greenhouse or outbuilding you would have more air exchange. Frankly, I'd buy a generator and just hook it to a few key appliances.

[greenpassion]

I'm only concerned about having a temporary source of heat in the event of a power outage, and a small unit would suffice I think.

[camille1585]

Personally, I would rather risk losing a few plants rather than have something running on gas/propane in the house. Is getting a new wood stove not an option?

[greenpassion]

If I was financially able to swing it I would definitely get another wood stove down there. But that is definitely not an option for me at this point. I'm working about 60 hours a week and at that, I have my plowing winter Heating and other Essentials covered. And things I need done on the house simply won't be done.

[estación seca]

If your floor is strong enough... Get some cheap 32-gallon trash barrels with lids at Home Depot ($14 here.) Fill them with water and put them in a spot where you can place your orchids. Put a shelf over the barrels and set your orchids on that. If possible drape something over the orchids and barrels, like clear plastic sheeting, all the way down to the floor.

The water in the barrels will stay at normal ambient temperature for quite a while during a power failure, especially if covered with the plastic. If you're home during the failure you can scoop some of the water into a kettle, heat it at your wood stove, then return it to the barrel.

[greenpassion]

I don't have a wood stove. Which is the problem. I have a forced hot air furnace which runs on electricity, and I had the wood furnace in the basement taken out last summer. It would have been dangerous to try to use it anymore. Filling up the barrels with water though and putting the orchids on that for the humidity is it a good idea.