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December 15, 2005 NDSU Engineers Offer Tips on Weathering Power Outages The recent ice storm and prolonged power outages are a chilly reminder that having an alternative heat source can be a lifesaver. Three North Dakota State University Extension Service agricultural engineers recommend people who live in rural areas, small communities and anywhere else that’s apt to lose electrical power should consider getting a generator to at least run their furnace. Homeowners will need to have the electrical wiring changed so they can switch the furnace from the home’s wiring to the generator easily, according to Ken Hellevang. They also need to follow electrical code to ensure the safety of their furnace and electrical system, and people living in the home, he says. “I don’t think they should get anything smaller than 2,000 watts,” Vern Hofman advises people buying a generator to run their furnace. Homeowners who get their water from a well also may want to have a generator powerful enough to keep the pump operating, the engineers say. Hofman recommends anyone wanting to operate the furnace and well pump should consider higher wattage generator models. The generator size must be based on the size of the motors operating the furnace and pump. The pump will need to be wired so the homeowner can switch it to a generator easily. Hofman says homeowners also need to make sure their generator is in good working condition before they’re faced with a power outage. He suggests testing it in the fall, then letting it run dry of fuel. He says the other key is to have fresh fuel to run it. For homeowners with electric heat, the three experts recommend kerosene or propane heaters as a backup. The engineers also urge people to read the owners manuals for the heaters and follow the instructions, particularly the part about having sufficient ventilation in the home to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. A carbon monoxide detector is the other vital piece of equipment people need if they are going to use any combustion for heating, including a generator, the engineers say. “You should have a carbon monoxide detector anyway, but in these situations you have to have one that’s battery operated, and it must be in working order,” Hellevang says. Carbon monoxide can be a killer. It accumulates in the blood and displaces oxygen. Even at very low levels – as little as 0.1 percent – it can cause headaches, fatigue, dizzy spells and confusion. Anything that burns fuel, such as gas and oil furnaces and water heaters, space heaters, wood and gas stoves, and charcoal and gas grills, produces carbon monoxide. Tom Scherer says other equipment that could come in handy in a power outage includes a camp stove, fuel-powered lantern and sleeping bags. People can use the camp stove to heat snow for enough water to drink, cook in and flush a toilet; fuel-powered lanterns provide considerable light and heat; and the sleeping bags will help keep them warm. Here is some other advice from the experts:
### Source:
Ken Hellevang, (701) 231-7243, kjh-eng@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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