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Keeping Computers (And People) Warm In Winter?

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?"

6 of 568 comments (clear)

  1. Stick computers in cellar. by mind21_98 · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Cellars would provide some natural insulation and reduce your heating requirements. To keep you heater running, I would look into a backup that doesn't depend on the power grid to keep it running. That's probably the only cheap way you're going to maintain your heat.

  2. Bush? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    "On November 2, the entire civilised world will be praying, praying Bush loses. And Sod's law dictates he'll probably win, thereby disproving the existence of God once and for all. The world will endure four more years of idiocy, arrogance and unwarranted bloodshed, with no benevolent deity to watch over and save us. John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, John Hinckley Jr - where are you now that we need you?"

  3. Re:sex by keeleysam · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    no, im gonna fuck mt Athlon 64, you ignorent clod

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    Nothing for you to see here, Please move along.
  4. Police murdered Vicki Snelgrove by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    Police murdered Vicki Snelgrove

    RIP Vicki Snelgrove 1982-2004 Shot and killed by untrained, trigger-happy police with permission from the commissioner>> EXPLAIN THIS ONE O'TOOL.

    "He turned around and immediately fired his gun leveled at head level," Anderson said. "He fired two rounds in extremely quick succession, and the girl immediately dropped. All her friends were around her. They were screaming. And people got very angry at that point."

    The officers carrying the less-lethal weapons were under the command of Deputy Superintendent Robert E. O'Toole Jr., who did not return a call seeking comment. O'Toole, who is unrelated to the police commissioner, heads the department's tactical operations.

    "And 99 percent of those kids in Kenmore Square [Wednesday] night were innocent bystanders who just wanted to have a good time," the police commissioner said. "That 1 percent of thugs caused the problem that forced us to take the less-lethal measures, and obviously this horrible tragedy resulted."

    You're all TOOLS

  5. Re:Replacing your UPS? by Naffer · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Drop an iodine tablet in water and it kills all that stuff you don't want to be drinking. It tastes like shit, but its better then picking up e-coli from some mountain stream.

  6. Re:Deep cycle marine battery by freeweed · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Well yeah, that, and it will kill your pet elephant.

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    Endless arguments over trivial contradictions in books written by ignorant savages to explain thunder in the dark.