First day of Winter 2022
Holy darn cow!!
Yes, we had the forecast super cold. December 22 started at -18F at my house. Per NOAA it was -32F on the valley floor.
Super cold!
And then at 7:15 a.m. the power went out at my house and approximately 3799 others in my vicinity (total homes in my area being 77000 approx …for perspective)
The local power company: Flathead Electric Co-operative did a pretty stellar job of keeping us informed. For most of us, the issue was a problem with Bonneville Power Authority feed to our specific area. (more to come on that).
So. The day before, knowing the forecast and with heavy snow, I took a look at the FEC outage map and saw that there was a 5 hour outage across the lake (Flathead Lake) due to equipment failure. Hmmm.
I typically do not run my woodstove overnight … fire concerns, etc. BUT. Given the forecast for extreme low temperatures and the potential for equipment failure … I ran the stove overnight.
Thankfully!!
So, when the power went out, the stove was full steam ahead and I had LOTS of firewood to hand to keep things going.
Additionally … last year … not sure exactly, but it was Winter, we had 2 morning power cuts that interfered with my ability to make coffee!!! In response, I purchased a 1 burner Butane stove thing as well as a large battery powered lantern.
AND … as time it is a changing re infrastructure … I also purchased several largish water containers.
So.
I was ready!!! (…ish)
Yea for my EcoFlow Max! It powered my electric fireplace for some helper heat in the sunroom. It is pointed towards the closet where the pressure tank lives. Pressure tank is 25 gallons of water and in the absence of power to run the well pump, that 25 gallons plus water heater water is my in house water. Additionally, the closet gets cold before the rest of the house and given the subzero temps I wanted to make sure to keep that closet warmish.
Yes! My butane 1 burner … Coffee!!! And later, I made my breakfast on it.
Thank you to last year’s wake up call.
The entry door … insulated curtain that is usually my “double entry” but I move right to the door when it is ultra cold…
Down throws at the base for draft stoppers.
Both make a HUGE difference in how much cold gets in via the entry door. Not noticable except when it is super cold!
-16.6 is super cold in my book!
And it was warming from -18.
The woodstove operating as a REAL woodstove, i.e. loaded full, locked down and running hot and radiant vs as a “fireplace”.
Ultimately, I was able to keep the house about 61F which in “all is relative world” was very comfortable. I ran the electric fireplace sporadically to give the closet extra heat while conserving battery backup.
My iPhone, iPads, laptop, internet MIFI … all kept topped up via other battery banks.
So.
The upshot from Flathead Electric Co-op and Bonneville Power Administration re the outage:
I would love to add to my EcoFlow system when budget allows but good grief!!! It did amazingly well on an ultra-cold day, and I am very happy. I had power to spare but will admit that I am VERY happy to have power restored before a 2nd very cold night.
Off to make my supper on the butane 1 burner … trying not to tax power supply more than absolutely necessary.
Weather forecast improves for my area after tomorrow.
The rest of the U.S. has challenges upcoming…
YIKES!
Prayers for the wild animals and livestock and pets.
