Being pro-active with winter's approach

[greenpassion]

Hi all. I am hoping to get some pointers on indoor portable heaters that will help keep the house (or 2 rooms) warm should my power go out. It's a frequent occurrence here in southern Vermont, and up until now I'd had a wood stove back up. My only heat source now is my forced hot air oil furnace, which will be useless in the event of a power outage. I am hunting for a propane heater that I can use in my living room area, which is open to my kitchen as well, and THIS is where I have the bulk of my orchids, as well as other plants. Any suggestions?

[Leafmite]

How long do power outages last where you live? You might be able to get a rechargeable battery back up unit (as used to keep computers running) that could keep a seedling hat mat warm for a while. Building a make-shift greenhouse with heavy-duty clear plastic drop cloth would hold in the heat so that your plants would be safe.

UPS Buying Guide: Battery backup for uninterrupted power. - APC USA

[greenpassion]

Outages can last anywhere from 2 hrs to 5 or 6. I'll look into the battery back up for my heat mats. I'm wondering about a portable indoor propane heater. I wish my woodstove back up was in working condition. I had it taken out in June. It was probably around 45 years old!

[Leafmite]

I do not know anything about propane heaters. Just be careful what you buy. I have read so many newspaper articles where a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning was attributed to a heater. Whatever you use, make certain it is completely safe for indoor use. Good luck!

[Ray]

Be very careful with any such heaters, as not only are they a fire hazard, but incomplete combustion products can be downright deadly.

I have used the "radiant" types that attach to a gas-grill propane tank as a backup in my greenhouse in PA. Basically, as relatively small flame heats a wire mesh face to radiate the heat. As such, they are actually quite good for complete combustion, and I never saw an issue with any plant, or me, for that matter.

[greenpassion]

Great! Ray where can I get that?

---------- Post added at 08:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:42 PM ----------

I hear you Leafmite. I'm actually nervous about having a gas heater in my house....

[Ray]

Mine came from Home Depot.

[greenpassion]

Has anyone used the Mr. Heater big buddy heater? It's made for indoor use, and has gotten great reviews. It can run with 2 small canisters of propane that campers use, or can be hooked up to larger propane tanks. I don't need anything more that the small canisters as I only would be using it when I have a power outage of a few hours. I am curious if anyone here on this board is familiar with them?

[Dollythehun]

Yes, I used that in my greenhouse. It didn't work for me because of the thermostat not going low enough. It was ok.

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Yes, I used that in my greenhouse. It didn't work for me because of the thermostat not going low enough. It was ok.

I'm not quite sure what you mean?