Stock up on heating fuel.

[adam2]

I would urge increasing stocks of heating fuel if you possibly can. The gas supply crunch is discussed elsewhere on these forums, There is no simple way to store natural gas domestically, PLEASE AVOID TRYING ANY DANGEROUS IMPROVISATIONS, but remember that any serious shortage of natural gas or of electricity generated from natural gas, will have knock on effects on other fuels. These can be stored.

Logs.
Artificial logs.
Coal, including coal derived patent fuels.
Central heating oil.
Paraffin.
LPG in cylinders or bulk tanks.
Candles, primarily for lighting but remember they produce significant heat.

Whichever of the above that you use or could use.

[Stumuz2]

Good advice, thank you.
I would add that if you have a day or two to spare, try switching off your electricity at the consumer unit for 24 hrs. Record what was difficult, impossible, not missed, missed.
Do you stumble in the dark? Did the silence coupled with your own thoughts annoy you? Did you crave a bit of news? Could you cook? How did you pass the time? Could you imagine a long period of time without electricity? Did you spend a lot of time online?

The results may surprise you.

[adam2]

Good advice, thank you.
I would add that if you have a day or two to spare, try switching off your electricity at the consumer unit for 24 hrs. Record what was difficult, impossible, not missed, missed.
Do you stumble in the dark? Did the silence coupled with your own thoughts annoy you? Did you crave a bit of news? Could you cook? How did you pass the time? Could you imagine a long period of time without electricity? Did you spend a lot of time online?

The results may surprise you.

I have done exactly that !
NO stumbling in the dark, minimal night lighting via LED Christmas lights remained on throughout. One light in each room room used sparingly to conserve UPS battery, Tilley lamp was main lighting in living room. Oil hurricane lamp in bathroom.
News available as usual from battery radio, and limited use of TV from UPS.
Also laptop PC used sparingly to conserve internal battery. Router is on UPS.
Could not cook as normal as cooker is electric. Used a portable gas cooker outdoors.
Passed the time by reading, listening to the radio, and very limited use of PC/TV as above.

A longish power cut would have little DIRECT effect on me, I am however very concerned at the potential effects on wider society.
Would internet and telephone service be available ? probably not after more than few hours.
Would food be available ? perhaps not.
Mains water ? Doubtful in the longer term.
Radio broadcasts ? Some have backup power, a lot do not.
Crime and disorder would also be a concern.

[BritDownUnder]

Someone not as well informed as the people on this forum might also investigate the construction of a rocket stove. Or even purchase one or a Kelly Kettle.

[kenneal - lagger]

I have built a couple of rocket stoves and could have a clay built pot boiler up and running in a few days allowing for drying time. We do, however, have a log burning cooker in the kitchen.

[Catweazle]

Slow cookers, those with a low powered heating element and perhaps with some additional insulation, could run from a budget sized solar / wind system.

[adam2]

A doomerish neighbour has just ordered a second bulk propane tank, and ten loads of logs.

I have ordered extra logs and some more paraffin.

[kenneal - lagger]

We filled the second of our log stores yesterday with old hard wood without touching the soft wood heap which was cut for us by a friend last week. We probably have about three stores worth of the soft wood ready to burn after being cut. Each of our stores is about 12 m3.

Our 9 year old grandson was working the controls of the log splitter and thoroughly enjoying himself. What with driving the ride on mower as well he is reaping the benefits of living on a small farm. Granddaughter, 10 years old, wants to learn to drive the Disco now so I'll put that in low ratio so that she can't do any damage in the middle of a field.

[adam2]

One of my neighbours is "up to something" probably doom related. A lot of nearly silent night time activity.
Sounds like moving and stacking large numbers of sacks containing something heavy. Coal ? animal feed ? fertiliser ?
Also digging a huge hole, perhaps a fallout shelter or a buried tank for water or fuel.

[clv101]

One of my neighbours is "up to something" probably doom related. A lot of nearly silent night time activity.
Sounds like moving and stacking large numbers of sacks containing something heavy. Coal ? animal feed ? fertiliser ?
Also digging a huge hole, perhaps a fallout shelter or a buried tank for water or fuel.

Ha! Keep us posted.

[anotherexlurker]

My local supplier of calor 15KG butane "refills" is still getting regular deliveries and still selling at the same price (works out as 18.33p per kwh), they
had a good supply in the cage when I swapped an empty today. I think my new electricity rate is 20.66p per kwh which is a 50% increase over my old fixed rate and does mean (as expected) that it is slightly cheaper to put a gas heater on rather than use an electric heater. (works out as less than a fiver per 15kg bottle)

I have a "secret" stash off the property of 4 full 15kg and 1 7kg (dont normally bother refilling that one as it works out more expensive , but you can only do like for like swaps at present and future availability might be difficult).

I have one full 15kg and 1 60-70% full 15kg on the property , current plan is to keep using the part used one (not much need at present, but will be colder by the weekend) and always have 4 or 5 full spares in case of emergencies, whilst keeping an eye on the evil bay , just in case any are local enough or too cheap too refuse.

Whilst I no longer have an oil boiler , out of interest I did try a quote from boilerjuice and they could not currently provide a delivery in my area.

[BritDownUnder]

One of my neighbours is "up to something" probably doom related. A lot of nearly silent night time activity.
Sounds like moving and stacking large numbers of sacks containing something heavy. Coal ? animal feed ? fertiliser ?
Also digging a huge hole, perhaps a fallout shelter or a buried tank for water or fuel.

This YouTuber built a bunker in his garden. Quite a good design really.