Surviving cold without the electric grid.

Our ancestors did for 1000s of years.

Anon here doesn't heat house.

Temp outside 17 degrees, wind chill close to 10 degrees.

Temp inside 51 degrees.

Anon wedges cardboard over some windows that leak a little around window A/C.

Anon puts on socks (and shoes if needed) and wears a thick sweatshirt. Hoodie up as needed. Fuzzy lap blanket when needed.

Open drapes on south side of house to catch sun rays to passively warm from 51 to 59 degrees during daytime hours; doesn't work on cloudy days.

Cost to heat for the winter - $0.00 (except a new hoodie/lap blanket once every few years).

Drain on the grid - 0 KwH.

Water / frozen pipes prevention. Turn off well pump. Open kitchen sink, drain water. Pipes somewhat empty, expansion of freezing water can't put pressure on pipes and break pipes. Leave faucet cracked open a little if needed. Electric cost - zero.

City water? Install an outside shut off valve….save on that dripping water bill. Cost: <$40

When living in the RV in the exact same weather conditions.

Shut off outside spigot for water, open kitchen sink faucet leave open.

Drain black-water tank (it will freeze and black ice will rise into toilet).

Either heat to 40 degrees w/LP heater, or plug in ceramic heater to heat only one small area, low at night, low to off during the day. (Electric cost ranges from $20-$50 for ceramic heater, depending how many times it needs to be turned to high on really cold days.)

Keep coffee water in the fridge so it doesn't freeze.

Most of time when I'm living in RV, it is rare temps don't get back above 32 during day to refill on board water and/or jugs water. (Don't fill on board water over 3/4 full, and the impeller in the pump will freeze if temps don't get back over 35 during day…) RV uses very little water to flush <just keep jug next to toilet…>

Ancestors heated very small space in winter.

Modern people WASTE so much and try to heat huge 3000 sq. ft. houses to summer time temps…. Try a small efficient heater and just heat one room and wear warm clothes.

Someone I know a few weeks ago bought seven 1750 watt space heaters (due to heating plant failure)……… plugged them all in all turned up high, trying to keep a 4000 sq ft home warm. And running all faucets at a bout 25% to keep pipes from freezing (220V well pump…) flooding her septic tank…

12.5 KwH x 24 hrs ,,,, 300 KwH a day

plus the pump KwH.

and she wonders why she lives in an area in TX where there is no power (but lots of windmills….)