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The risk is great because of the risk of not properly isolating from the grid which means you might be powering the neighborhood or worse... electrocute someone.
Also, there is still the issue of the large cord to deal with.
Part of my job is to oversee Hospital Emergency Power Systems including generators...
Wiring a power inlet box is relatively inexpensive (compared to the cost of killing a utility worker)
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Originally Posted by exphysics teacher
I am sure to be yelled at BUT, figure the circuits you need ex furnace, lights in family room, internet whatever. count the max wattage and buy an appropriate generator. You can then double plug and back feed into your system. Make sure you turn off your main and unwanted circuits. I would not suggest this for energy hogs such as ac, refrig.
Just to provide a counterpoint to this- my father passed along a generator that hadn't been used for 9 years and still had some of the old gas in it. It took some muscle to get it going (lots and lots of pull starts), but it ran fine after the first 20 mins or so.
Gas cans are annoying if you don't have a shed or a garage to keep them it; I am in agreement on that one.
Can they sit for years without use...sure. Is it advisable...NO....
Gensets should be run every month or so for lubrication and move gasoline through the carburator.....nothing worse than when you need it the most and it won't run....
I grew up in a home that was seldom heated... we all wore thermals with no ill effects... so dressing for cold weather is another option...
An excellent option, as are comforters of down or even poly fiber, or other, cozy bed socks, even a nightcap (that would be too warm for me, but perfect for a child).
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Originally Posted by Ultrarunner
It was 55 in my bedroom last night... and I sleep better when it is cooler.
Same here and I'm a Californian in the SF Bay Area, too.
It's funny how some people think we here can't handle the rare cold times we have.
It just takes a little ingenuity, and no breaking of laws intended for health and safety.
Ok, I guess I've touched a nerve by wanting to keep my child warm. I'll rent a hotel next time. I was just asking a question and looking for suggestions.
Try buying some of those fleece footie pyjamas and a nice warm wearable blanket. It's a damn sight safer than a fuel burning heater in an enclosed space with children around who could tip it over. Also, children die from carbon monoxide before adults do.
I set my thermostat to 58 at night, my kids have never complained.
Growing up in the Bay Area the only time I remember the heat being on was around the Holidays when family would gather... Mom came from snow country and they never heated the bedrooms... just down comforters when it got real cold... Dad was always on the warm side and always kept the heat off... never lived in a home with A/C either.
Yes, I'm probably a wimp and spoiled but my son is 2 and said he was cold so that's what sparked me to want to take action. He did have warms PJs and warm blankets but was still cold. I'm still deciding what to do.
If you buy a generator, chain it to something. Last winter somebody posted the story of their generator vanishing down the street. By the time they got outside, it was gone.
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Wiring a power inlet box is relatively inexpensive (compared to the cost of killing a utility worker)
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