Looking for a recommendation for the most economical or sustainable heat source for winter survival in a northern climate, assuming firewood is not an option. Just looking to heat a single room (Approx. 300sq ft), not the entire house. Your thoughts on oil heat vs, propane, vs. butane, versus a solar generator and electric heat. What have you used (for extended periods) that worked for you?
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Solar would be last on my list.
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First and foremost should be thoughts about safety. Burning something inside your shelter is going to deplete your oxygen supply. Also there will be pollutants in your oxygen supply from whatever you are burning. Make sure you have proper ventilation so you can live long enough to enjoy the warmth.
The endless heat videos are mondo cool and under normal circumstances would be perfect for a cost-efficient way to heat your shelter. The drawback is the electricity required to power the blower. If S really has HTF, there probably will be no electricity. Super cool idea though.
We have used the terra cotta pots a few times when the temps get down below comfortable levels and they do work pretty well, but they are only good for a few hours before you have to relight them. A while back my Wife made a huge score and found tea lights on clearance at a local arts & crafts store and we picked up a couple thousand for I think it was $10.
I have used the crisco candle method while camping a few times and it also does work pretty well. For normal power outages during foul weather and what-not, we have my Grand Mother’s antique hurricane lamps.
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Coal, in a high efficiency “sealed system” furnace. You could use the excess output to heat your water and cook.
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Why is that? (Assuming you had the funds)
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THIS. A sealed system. Make sure your air is clean enough to breath.
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Relying on wintertime’s sunlight hours is reason no. 1.
But, if one could afford a large system, go for it.
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I have two kerosene heaters. Not sure how sustainable that is long term in a real grid down situation, but they have gotten us through a week long power outage after an ice storm. I can actually keep my house relatively comfortable with one of them going at a time.
Yes. We have a carbon monoxide detector. Yes. Kerosene can be dirty. But it’s what we have and have used. I have contemplated one of the big buddy heaters.
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I went with propane. I have propane stoves and heaters and keep 500lbs. on hand. 
If using propane you should have battery or electric carbon monoxide
detectors.
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Kerosene space heater.
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I have a whole house generator run off propane. If i run the house as normal will last 6-8 days. If I conserve on what I use can go longer.
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What fuel do you use?
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I have a tri fuel portable generator (Nat gas, propane, gasoline), but the fuels will be hard to get or expensive after an extended outage. That’s why I am wondering what folks are prepared to use for heat after a couple of weeks without the grid.
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Lamp oil. Can be had at wallyworld or amazon.
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I have 500lbs. of propane. Should last me all winter and then some.
If SHTF lasts longer than that, it’s back to wood. 
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Burn your children. They’re just going to eat all your emergency food and lie around complaining about having no internet, so put them to good use.
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U have to fatten them up first to get more oils to burn. 
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We have a stockpile of lamp oil we picked up from Walmart. Kerosine will work, but it’s dirty. Leaves that dark oily residue everywhere.
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