I really like the fall/winter seasons. When the days are bright, cool, and clear…and the nights cold and brisk…that’s my fave. And, of course, that weather change makes some part of my lizard brain kick into gear and want to make sure things are ‘in order’ for winter.
Probably my biggest concern this winter is that fuel and electricity prices will take a big jump up. Between inflation, commodity prices, short-staffed power generation plants, parts/supply issues for same, and the remote-but-still-possible chance of malicious hacking, it could wind up being an expensive (or difficult) process to keep the heat on this winter.
Fortunately, I have a couple things going for me. First and foremost – I keep a cool house. I usually keep the thermostat around 63-65 in the winter. Additionally, my local utility averaged my heating costs and bills me an average amount of the course of a year. This irons out the ‘hills and valleys’ of my heating bill. I can budget and plan on the same amount every month for the year.
And, of course, I have a goodly supply of kerosene and kerosene heaters to cover me in case something does happen and utility service goes on hiatus for a week or two. Absolute worst case scenario, isolate the house to one bathroom and bedroom and only heat those two rooms. Turn off the water to the rest of the house to avoid pipe issues, and just live in those two rooms.
But I don’t foresee this winter turning into that. Oh, I’m ready in case it does, but it’s not what I’m expecting. What I am 99.5% certain will happen is that winter will be just like it usually is but with higher fuel costs. Fortunately, I’ve the resources to handle the increased heating costs if necessary.
Other winter things? Well, time to put the shovel and other unstuck-gear in the back of the truck. There’s already a sleeping bag and other essentials in there. (And, by the by, here’s the epic series on winter vehicle stuff.) And for getting unstuck, traction sand (or cat litter) and a good shovel go a long way….but not as long a way as a good length of rope, some snatch blocks, tow straps, and clevis. But, whatever your choice, at least have something to work with to get you out of that icy ditch you slide into sideways.
And, of course, it’s time to take the Filson wools out of the closet. I have, over the last few years, amassed a pretty impressive collection of Filson. It’s all wool so it repels cold, wind, and evil.
I expect this winter will see me doing not much of anything noteworthy except getting caught up on reloading, spending far too much time in my trading portfolios, and perhaps working on getting the place looking a little more Home & Garden and less Field & Stream.
On the other hand, we could all be isolated in our houses as the Chinese ‘accidentally’ release another ‘not a weaponized version’ of the flu and our economy sinks further into Third Worldism. :::shrug::: Who knows?
I agree. there are many things that are Possible, but substantially fewer things that are Likely.
Like you, I’m expecting higher costs this winter. I am also not making travel plans more than 6 weeks out because of possible changes to restrictions, economy, etc.
In February 2020, I said the reaction to the new disease would be worse than the disease itself… I am unhappy but unsurprised that my prediction came true.
I’ve been a kerosene fanboy since the ramp-up to Y2K. It’s the most flexible option I know of for light, room heat, and cooking heat all from one fuel. There are good arguments for a wood stove or propane, but neither is as portable and easy to use as kero.
I’ll mention one other item that is pretty much necessary for me these days and takes a bit of preparation: my CPAP. I lived without one for 60+ years, but for many of those years I wasn’t sleeping well and my blood oxygen at night was dipping dangerously low. Anyway, for the past 12-15 years I’ve been going on prairie dog safaris to South Dakota and Colorado, and we often camped where there was no 120v power. Thanks to the Internet, I learned that my brand of CPAP could be powered by a 12v DC battery if you had the right adapters. A 12v AGM battery used in mobility scooters will power my CPAP for 7-8 nights if I turn off the unit’s humidifier. I found a deal on a two-pack of those AGM batteries, so as long as I keep them charged I can run my CPAP for two weeks or more. Those same batteries will charge cell phones, a laptop or a handheld HAM radio. They’ll run a few small LED bulbs almost forever.
Didn’t mean to hijack your post on prepping for cold weather, CZ, but it reminded me that when the power goes out, there are some other necessities you need to prep for in addition to heat and light.
battery storage is coming on strong and may be the wave of the future, think Tesla. The latest buzz is after the car batteries are all charged by solar or wind generation and sitting the in parking lot unused, they can back feed the system and provide power to the grid, or someone’s home.
With LED lighting and other such tech, it won’t be long before a refrigerator sized battery will be enough storage to power a single residential home.
One catch, which is the same with any storage item, they need to keep them from catching fire, which is bad.
https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/energy/2020/07/27/aps-battery-explosion-surprise-new-report-findings/5523361002/
Do you know what the latest battery types cost? I watch a u-tuber channel that lives in their 35ft bus conversion. They have about 12 mostly roof mounted solar cell panels, connected to ~14 large vehicle size batteries (at least as big as a home ‘fridge in volume if packed together) This is sufficient to run a/c and a kitchen and a heating system.
Those batteries run $1k EACH. Now add in the costs of the controllers and chargers, and you are looking at over $24k, if I remember the numbers quoted on the videos. I don’t recall the warrantee terms, but they already have had a year old battery die.
The only thing keeping Western Civilization running is “fossil” fuels, No way in hell that “green” energy can keep the doors open now, or ever. The only alternative energy source is the various nuclear types, that too may people don’t want in their “back yard”.
Think solar panels and hi-tech batteries are made in the US? We don’t even mine the minerals/metals needed for them. EPA doesn’t like them, so it all originates in China now. Want to hazard your future on delivery from there? There isn’t enough land surface to cover with enough panels to run things during the day. What about at night, or bad weather, and winter?
We always fill up our propane tank in August when it is at its lowest price. That runs our gas range and one wall mounted gas heater. Have 3 or 4 kerosene heaters and kerosene for back up. Our electric heaters are those Eden Pure infrared heaters and they are very efficient and low cost to operate.
The propane will last up into March. Here in the upstate of SC, we might get an ice storm that knocks out power for a day or two, with one occasionally knocking it out for a week. Have a generator for that, which will run fridge and freezer, as well as my wife’s breathing apparatus.
Also have three tanks for my grill if need be.
@Mike
I would double or triple your 20# for the grill. We have two 500 gallon tanks and about 12, 20# tanks, and we burn wood for heat… I’d give up golf too and take up shooting as your hobby. just my opinion…
I shoot better than I golf, so there’s that.
We’re both retired and my wife is disabled. We don’t have any extraneous bills… everything is paid for. Our only extra bills are car insurance twice a year and property tax, which thanks to our homestead exemption, are very low.
My utility also cost averages, so that by the end of Fall I have a reserve to pay for Winter’s power. It is always paid ahead. My gripe is they average money and not power. With the prices set to rise (and rarely go down), I would rather have my credit in kilowatt-hours than in dollars.
I expect the natural gas prices to spike with significant wringing of hands by the usual suspects. I looked at my bill (also on the budget plan) and it may increase the equivalent of a tank of fuel for my Suburban for a given month.
Past that, I do expect some parts of the country to lose heating fuel and/or power due to a lack of spare parts. Most areas should have figured out the staffing issues unless they’re instituting a mandate…
I’m planning on getting another 20lb. LP tank and possibly another heater. I’m still good on kero but may extend the fuel storeage a bit.
I saw on my way home today that bulk kero is running $3.99/gal here in southern MN per the Mills Fleet Farm sign.
Steelheart
Just paid natural gas bill, has doubled from$.29 to$.63 in the last 4 months (but its transitory). Still looking for a kerosene heater.
Yes, it’s the season to get the winter preps ready. Just yesterday, I put the snows on the Forester and the winter kit in the back. And, last night, we got the first snow of the season. 🥶
BTW, aside from having a shovel in your “oh crap, I’m stuck” kit, you should add a roof rake. Just shorten the handle to around 4 feet long. It’s faster to use than a regular shovel when you need to clear snow from under your vehicle fast.
I hear good things about those plastic traction strips or boards. No direct experience, though. Just stick them against the tire tread and let the tires pull them in. You might consider strapping a couple/four against the inside of your tailgate. I would think that would beat kitty litter for traction. Main drawback, I think, is you have to stop moving at some point to recover them, although a long tether might work to ensure you are clear of the problem before stopping to grab them.
Have tried them and had less than decent results, either they were hard to get the tire to roll up on them or were just pulled under tire and thrown out behind. Rock salt or kitty litter far superior on ice. Have been looking for tire chains at reasonable prices as the snowplows seem to be later all the time.