Where's your central heat? The oil filled heaters are nice. I have a baseboard style, but I haven't used it in a long time.
I should probably buy more electric heaters in case my furnace ever breaks down, can't hurt to have. I do have a small 550w oil filled one and a radiant heater though, the ones that look like a fan.
I had considered installing baseboard heat throughout my basement as a backup when I was doing all the walls but never ended up doing it.
I did have my furnace break down in middle of February a few years back, thankfully there was a way to override the problem, and the part was available in town. Basically the pressure switch stayed stuck in the "on" position so the furnace would not start. If I disconnected it, it would start, then plug it back in, and it would pass the rest of the startup sequence. That in essence was bypassing a safety device though... but it got me going for a day until I could buy the part.
Yea, I've had springcoils start going into meltdown mode. Not smoking or anything, but the mounts sagging, and the case deforming. I'm pretty comfortable leaving the oil filled going while I leave the house. I wouldn't leave a springcoil unattended, even being just outside.
My backup is wood stoves. Used them for years as heat source, but got to be too much work. I was able to cut my own wood, and my only expense was chainsaw maintenance and gas for the truck, which was great when heating oil was over $4/gal.
Too much work now, but have good supply on hand. And the wood stoves work when the power goes out, which happens up here on the side of a mountain just about every good storm.
Yea, there is that...Wood stoves are a terrific backup in case of ... you know ... civilization/society breaking down?
I remember reading threads were someone (probably you) said they keep their thermostat set at like 45-50, not realizing you heated with wood & your furnace was a backup. I'm thinking, why the hell does someone keep their house at 45-50 degrees?!?!I've been heating almost exclusively with wood the past few years. I keep the thermostat set to 47° if I'm not there to feed the stove, but the furnace hasn't come on yet this year.
Are those outdoor woodburners a thing up in your area?I'd love a wood stove but I don't really have a spot convenient for one. I actually got rid of the fireplace because it was just in the way. Insurance companies don't like woodstoves either so it opens a can of worms if you do install one. I think you need a permit for it too so that's another can of worms... and tax increase. But yeah if I build an off grid house I'm putting in a wood stove for sure, less red tape in unorganized townships. It's practically free heat. I think the only thing more free is renewable electricity, but that is going to be more limited in winter.
It can get pretty brisk in the house. The stove room's too warm, but I'm in a long ass rancher, so it's about 50° in the bedroom end of the house. I like it. The contrast is nice going from hot to cool, and I love sleeping in a cold room. Really warm under the blanket, with cold air on my face, Feels so good, I've been oversleeping lately. Either don't hear the alarm, or I hit snooze, and never hear it again :^DI remember reading threads were someone (probably you) said they keep their thermostat set at like 45-50, not realizing you heated with wood & your furnace was a backup. I'm thinking, why the hell does someone keep their house at 45-50 degrees?!?!
Are those outdoor woodburners a thing up in your area?