How are you preparing, or have prepared, for Winter?

[Menard]

I think it was last Winter when we discussed what some of us did to keep warm in Winter.

Some of us have the capability to turn up the heat in our homes, expensive as it is, while some don't have that warm of homes in Winter.

A particular concern in Winter, especially with how weather can turn, is power outages.


During Spring and Summer, when stores put their Winter stuff on clearance was when I was buying comforters and throws; I have plenty of covers to keep me warm even if the power goes out and I don't have heat.


For power, I have several jumpstarters (primarily used for jump starting cars), one of which has a built in AC inverter, and an external inverter to boot, which I can use to power lights, my laptop, and a portable DVD player.


I have a kerosene heater, though I need to get it cleaned and the wick replaced, for backup heat.


Ideally I can keep heat and minimum power going for several days.

The decision to use the jumpstarters for backup power was after a realization of how much it would cost to run a generator. It can take several gallons of gasoline a day just to keep a generator running (for a full 24 hour period, it can be from 6 to 24 gallons a day depending on the size of the generator, and that's only up to medium sized generators).

The jumpstarters will trickle charge off of a wall outlet for even less wattage than one of my low wattage light bulbs. Running probably 150 or less watts total off of them in an outage will last for several days as I will only be using the devices for a few hours at most; the lamp itself is a 60 watt equivalent which uses only 13 watts.


How are some of you prepared for Winter, or is it much of a concern for you?

[donecweb]

Well I am using the air-conditioner less but other than that not doing much, if it gets too damp I'll turn on the heat. Over the years I have accumulated enough to keep me warm if it starts getting unusually cold for here and normally keep enough food that does not need heating to cover a few days without power. I can go several days without lights, TV or computers. However it does not get that cold here often.

[Andy]

I need to get hold of a helmet and boots for Snow Boarding. Last time I improvised using my ski boots and it didn't work out well with me banging my head on the hard snow and seeing stars.

But I am mostly into skiing but want to get used to snow boarding.

Also I need to work out how to use my HD video cam on the slopes and not get it smashed up.

[Queen Bee]

I'm going to freeze.

Besides that, I'm putting some insulated sheeting on my windows. My energy bill shot up $25 from last month.

[donecweb]

I am buying some thermal underwear so I can continue riding my Sofie 2009 Burgman 400cc Scooter.

[Andy]

Got a snowsports helmet (to try snowboarding) and a new winter coat with a nice fake-fur lining around the hood. I may get some new, more-comfy ski boots too.