Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Keeping Computers (And People) Warm In Winter?

Posted by timothy on from the stock-up-on-sweaters-and-batteries dept.

Grimwiz writes "Similar to a few of you, I have some of my computers on a UPS. However, the UK press have recently been warning that power supply interruptions are likely this winter and I've been pondering about upgrading my power protection from those few machines to include a few key house components. In particular, I need to ensure that the gas-powered (but electrically controlled) central heating stays working. I have reviewed a few solutions, including Solar / Photovoltaic or purchasing a generator but they seem to be hugely more expensive than my simple UPS solution, although they do provide a much longer lasting solution than running off batteries. (A battery solution becomes quite expensive if I require more than an hours backup.) My power requirements for a quiescent house is about 4amps @ 250V, and I'd like to survive at least 8 hours. What solutions do you recommend?"

10 of 568 comments (clear)

  1. Replacing your UPS? by nerd256 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Its like, when you're thirsty, asking for a bottle of water or asking for iodine tablets. It would be better to have both.

    It really depends on how long you expect your outage to last. UPS won't last for long, yet is crucial for small burps in the supply.

    For example, what if your generator runs out of gas?

  2. I suggest... by naturaverl · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Well, 4A @ 250v = 1000 W, for 8 hrs is 8 kWh. That's a lot, and would probably be very expensive to maintain with a battery-based solution. I'd say a generator would be the way to go.

  3. Central heating for 8 hours? by bobbis.u · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Do I understand this correctly? Does he want to ensure that his central heating can stay running for 8 hours during a potential power outage? What is the point of that? You're not really going to get that cold within 8 hours. The human race did manage to survive for tens of thousands of years without central heating. Piece of advice one: forget about the central heating and buy a decent coat for power cuts. Anyway, assuming he actually wants to keep other more important things running - life support machine perhaps - he has 2 options:
    • A generator
    • Lots of lead acid batteries

    Simple as that. The first option is cheap and effective, but makes a bit of noise, and will need somewhere outside to run it. The second option needs quite a bit of space, is expensive and requires a fair amount of other expenditure for charging circuits, inverters, etc. It also runs out after a while and there is nothing you can do then. If you use a generator, you can always put more petrol/diesel in, assuming you keep a decent stock.

    Solution: Google for a 1500W generator (e.g.). Problem solved - next question please.

  4. Electrician by Detritus · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You might want to talk to an electrician who specializes in backup power systems. There are safety and electrical code issues on how circuits are switched from mains power to UPS/generator power and back again.

    --
    Mea navis aericumbens anguillis abundat
  5. Don't really need heat for 8 hours. by scattol · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's quite likely that you don't need heat if your power interruption is only going to be 8 hours. During the Quebec ice storm we were out of electricity for 7 days. The house will stay decently warm for the first 2 days. It will be chilly for the next 2 and getting cold after that. But even after 7 days the appartement was still above freezing in weather that was always a little below freezing.

    My recommendation: don't sweat 8 hours of power failiures.

    That said, if you really need electricity, say to prevent perishable from going bad your best bet is a generator essentially because it's easy to refuel and keep going for days. You also get decent power in relatively small packages.

  6. What power interruptions??? by lga · · Score: 3, Insightful

    What power interruptions? I think you are talking rubbish. If you aren't, then the press are. We are in a first world country with a decent infrastructure and it is extremely unlikely that we will have mass powercuts. Unless you live in the middle of nowhere and are supplied by one overhead power line, make sure your computer is on a UPS and stop worrying about it.

    --
    A latent existence
    1. Re:What power interruptions??? by fire-eyes · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Yeah well I live in Detroit USA, and guess what last year 4 days because of that big outage.

      1st world country does not always equal a stable power system.

      Just ask people living in California.

      --
      -- Note: If you don't agree with me, don't bother replying. I won't read it.
  7. Re:I suggest by pyat · · Score: 5, Insightful

    or more generally, invest in good insulation for your house. It'll pay for itself in saved heating even if you never have a power-outage, and if you do lose power for a while, your house will stay warmer longer.

  8. Re:Opposite problem by NetKraft · · Score: 3, Insightful

    You, on the other hand, apparently do not know that all the electricity that is actually used by the computer, or any electrical appliance for that matter, eventually turns into heat. This means that it is physically impossible to have an inefficient electrical heater. Which, in turn, means that you're an idiot.

    --
    I don't suffer from insanity. I enjoy every minute of it.
  9. furnace won't work with UPS, don't bother trying by sludg-o · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If your gas furnace's blower and exhaust fans run on electricity, which I'm pretty sure they do, you're not going to get more than a minute or two out of a UPS. Those big fans push a lot of air and draw a lot of power. If you're really worried about staying warm, get a propane space heater and a 20lb tank. It will be enough to keep a room or two warm for a couple days.