Energy sources are very important during emergency situations. Different energy sources are used to power various pieces of equipment. This includes your car for transportation to your stove for cooking.
All energy on Earth comes from the sun. It is absorbed by plants through photosynthesis which is then absorbed by humans and animals that eat the plants. As of today, fossil fuel is the primary energy source of all industries on earth. While it is cheap, it is non-renewable and has so many harmful by-products.
Scientists are warning everyone that there are serious repercussions from the greenhouse gases emissions from fossil fuel.
Preparedness
There will be different disasters that can hit your area. Hurricanes, typhoons, earthquakes, and terrorist attacks can ruin your energy source. That’s why it is important to have an energy source in your home, like generators, propane, kerosene, and more.
Generators
Generators are helpful for providing energy during short-term emergencies. There are two main types of generators: portable generators and standby generators.
Portable generators are usually powered by gasoline. This is useful for keeping your freezer or refrigerator operational so that your food won’t spoil. The only disadvantage is that you can’t stockpile gasoline because they go bad in just a year. They’re also extremely volatile and dangerous as they are fire hazards.
It’s better to keep a can or two of 5-gallon tanks. Make sure to use them every six months to keep your stash fresh.
Standby generators are more expensive but they’re definitely the better option. They are ideal for long-term emergencies. Standby generators are usually powered by natural gas or propane. You can attach this standby generator to the gas line of your home and then it will automatically provide electricity during a power outage.
The generator will automatically check for a source of power twenty-four hours a day. It will automatically switch to generator source if there’s no power present. These automatic generators will automatically switch power sources if the electricity is back.
Make sure to keep some propane in stock so that you can power up your generator. The propane dealer can provide you with a propane tank. The tank is durable enough to protect the propane from weathering elements. A 250-gallon tank of propane is enough to power a seven-kilowatt standby generator for five days. A 500-gallon tank is good for eleven days.
If you conserve your energy source, you can make the propane supply last longer. Stick to using the essential appliances only. For instance, you can skip the AC and just use a regular fan for lower energy consumption. Always turn off your appliances when they are not being used.
What If You Don’t Have A Generator?
Not everyone is fortunate enough to purchase a generator. If that’s the case, the essentials must be prioritized and supplied with their own energy source. These essentials include:
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Lighting source
Light allows you to see everything clearly so that you can function as a human being. The best tip for this is to take full advantage of sunlight. Sunlight is a readily available resource. If you have activities that require light, it’s better to do them during the day. For example, hunt or forage during the day instead of doing it at night with a flashlight. You risk wasting your batteries and you also expose yourself to more risks by going out at night.
Since sunlight is so abundant, it is an excellent energy source. Get some solar panels or a solar charger to charge all of your gadgets and batteries. There are solar chargers that you can leave out in the sun to absorb solar energy. They are also foldable to be portable.
Electric Lights
A short-term solution for your lighting needs is to get battery-powered flashlights and lamps. Always keep a charged flashlight in every room of your home. Keep another one in your car. It’s better to go for rechargeable batteries that you can recharge using a solar charger. It is advisable to use modern nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries compared to older nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries. One tip is to store your batteries in a dry freezer in order to prolong their shelf-life.
LED flashlights are the most efficient light source recommended for survivalists. It emits a strong light without taking up too much battery power. Windup LED flashlights last for a very long time without the need for bulb or battery replacements.
Candles
A cheap and easy way to have a light source is though a candle. They last long and they don’t eat up your electricity. The only problem is that it poses as a fire hazard. Remember to keep a close eye on lit candles, especially around children and pets. Keep the lit candle away from curtains, books, and other easily combustible items.
Make sure to store your emergency candles in a cool and dry place. Keep them away from hot areas like near a stove or an open window because they might melt. Keep a box or two of water-resistant matches to light your candles with.
Kerosene Lanterns
Kerosene lanterns are also great light sources for emergency situations. They don’t require electricity and they last for a very long time. They are also safer than candles because the flame is contained in a glass shell. Stock up on kerosene oil and lantern oil so that you can keep your lantern burning for hours.
Lantern oil is a bit more expensive but it is refined and burns so much clearer. Kerosene oil lasts longer than gasoline so it keeps well. Just make sure to get a kerosene heater to heat up the oil to get rid of clumps and to make it more fluid, especially during the winter.
Gasoline
Gasoline isn’t advisable to stockpile because it doesn’t keep well and only lasts for a year until it goes bad. As such, only keep a can or two of five-gallon cans. Make sure to refresh our stock every six months. Only use gasoline for gasoline-based necessities, like a cooing stove or your car.
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Cooking
Survivalists recommend keeping tons of canned goods because they last for a very long time and they are very convenient for quick meals. The problem is that they’re loaded with preservatives. Their nutritional value is also limited. It’s still better to cook your meals for long-term disasters to ensure that you’re still eating well despite the circumstances.
Propane
Propane is a good energy source for stoves because it keeps well. It generates fire efficiently and burns cleanly. Another alternative is getting an alcohol stove. to cook in a well-ventilated area.
Alcohol Or Canned Fuel
This is advisable for small apartments. It doesn’t generate much heat and fumes so it’s okay to be used in tight spaces. Canned fuel also keeps very well.
Wood
Wood is a good source of fire fuel. It’s a great way to cook your meals if you’re camping or evacuated outdoors. There are plenty of wood-burning stoves or you can simply create an open fire.
Solar Ovens
This is an inexpensive DIY project that you can do to cook your food. There are plenty of DIY models that you can follow. Their governing principle is to get a metal box that can house your food. Simply put this under the sun and this is your makeshift oven. Add some aluminum foil to serve as a reflector and to boost solar energy absorption. This will take a much longer time than a normal oven so be patient.
There’s always a danger that your oven will overheat so always keep a close eye on it. Don’t let it burn your food or catch on fire. Always wear protective gear like thick gloves when handling the solar oven.
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Heating (for cold areas)
It’s very important to find a way to keep yourself warm, especially during a cold storm or if the disaster took place during the winter. You can’t rely on your radiator or heater because there’s a huge chance of a power outage. You also need to ration your gas for other appliances. Ultimately, it’s better to use a natural gas space heater or a small furnace. Other alternatives include use a portable propane heater, a kerosene heater, or a wood-burning stove.
Wood
Wood is the perfect source of warmth if your house has a functional chimney and a furnace. Another option is to use a wood burning stove.
Make sure to have plenty of firewood in stock. You can pick up down trees after a storm instead of throwing them away. Cut them into smaller logs that will fit into your furnace or stove. Use an axe, splitting maul, wedges, and a chainsaw for your wood-cutting needs.
Kerosene
Kerosene is slightly better than gasoline because of its longer shelf-life. However, it still deteriorates over time. The best way to ensure that it lasts for a very long time is to store it in an airtight container. Add a kerosene additive when using the oil. Replace the wick whenever necessary.
Energy Checklist
Lighting
- Flashlights
- Kerosene lanterns
- Wicks for kerosene lanterns
- Globes for the lanterns
- Propane lantern
- Mantles for propane lantern
- Lantern oil or kerosene oil
- 2 cans of propane battles
- Candles
- Matches
- Candle holders
- Batteries for the flashlights
- Solar charger
- AC-powered battery charger
Cooking
- Propane stove
- Propane tank
- Flint spark lighter
- Extra flints
- Canned fuel (like Sterno)
- 12-V DC Oven
- Aluminum pans
- Solar oven
- Meat thermometer
Heating
- Propane heater
- Extra wick for heater
- Wood burning stove
- Kerosene heater
Wood Burning Supplies
- Fireplace tools (ash shovel and poker)
- Ash bucket
- Wood rack
- Firewood carrier
- Splitting wedges
- Wood splitting maul
- Chainsaw
- Wood saw
- Heat reclaimer
Fuel And Related Supplies
- Propane tank
- “T” adapters
- Kerosene
- Kerosene treatment
- Pressed logs
- Kindling wood chops
- Newspapers or old papers
- Firewood
