Alternative ways to light a house?

Question

Sure we can use candles and Gas lamps. Which i have used.
Although i was looking for something less dangerous more natural.

Solar power seems pretty awsome but i dont want messy batteries, plus im worried about the acid from the batteries unless they have a better system for storing the energy now days.

As we are always having power outages. Normally at night around tea time in summer, so im looking for something friendly and easy to use, as the electricity companys arent helping.
Cooking is ok i have a Gas Stove top so i can always get that part sorted..
Just cooking by candle light or a tourch isnt that easy.
So any hints.. Please throw them at me.

Answer 1

Apart from gas lamps and battery operated fluorescent lamps, kerosene lamps using wicks are probably the safest, most convenient and very effective emergency lighting. A standard kerosene lamp from a hardware store is the equivalent of 12 - 20 candles depending on the width of its wick. When properly adjusted they do not smoke or flicker and odour is minimal. Two lamps at elther end of a room are a reasonable light.

The glass chimney produces a strong draught of air through the burner and over the flame. This makes the lamp burn brighter and with little or no smoke. Its secondary use is to reduce the effect of stray breezes on the flame.

Though most kerosene burner patterns date from between 1854 and 1890 they were carefully designed to give the maximum light for the minimum fuel consumption and will not work properly if the burner is damaged, dirty or matched with the wrong chimney or wick. The wick must be cut square across with sharp scissors to get the best flame. Trim off loose threads and it may be necessary to round the corners of the wick slightly. High spots on the wick can lead to an otherwise good lamp smoking.

The amount of light given by a wick lamp depends on the width or diameter of the wick and whether there are light-blocking coloured or frosted shades and chimneys around the flame.

Use standard blue, low-odour or odourless lighting kerosene. Citronella scented fuels are best kept for outdoor use since the smell is rather powerful, but lightly scented fuels are used indoors. Much of the scent is burnt in the flame in any case. Blue, low odour and odourless kerosene may be mixed with these and each other if needed. Do not mix with petrol, gasoline, white spirit, diesel, mineral turpentine or any other flammable liquid.

To allow room for expansion of the fuel when the lamp warms fill to no more than 7/8th capacity or up to a fill hole on the side. Wipe up spillage carefully. Allow a dry wick to soak up fuel for 15 minutes, more if possible.

Never put a wet chimney on a lamp as it will shatter. Turn the wick up, light and turn down to reduce smoke. Put the chimney on and allow it to warm for two or three minutes before turning the lamp up. Then turn up the flame until it just begins to smoke. Then turn it back slightly. This gives the maximum light.

Central draught lamps may begin to smoke after several minutes burning. Turn them down again to prevent smoking. The lamp should burn a few hours without much more attention.

Keep lamps away from flammable materials like curtains and be sure there is half a metre (18”) of clear space between the top of the lamp and the ceiling. The safest place for table lamps is in the middle of a table where they are unlikely to be knocked over. Wall lamps must have a strong hook and a metal or tile heat shield between the lamp and the wall.

Never leave a lamp burning unattended, especially near small children.

Don't waste your money on the so-called "hurricanes" sold by gift shops.

http://www.lampguild.org/

http://members.aol.com/lumiara/

Answer 2

The two large problems with most "alternate," energy sources is that they lack a steady value; the wind doesn't blow steady, clouds cover panels, so on; and the second being getting the energy from the source to the residential home. Most home owners say cheaper energy is great but would fight against having a big ugly machine put in their neighborhood. To be more basic about electrical generation; these days you can make gears and levers pretty good at taking even a poor device and squeezing good voltages out of it. The problem then becomes one of maintenance, with a need for down times, technicians, lube-oils, et cetra.