heating question serious answers only please?

Question

If I insulate all my windows with the styrofoam type insulation plus plastic over this along with heavy blankets, throw rugs on all floors, heat tape outside on pipes and in working order, water left trickling indoors, and plenty of warm blankets to use will my home remain warm to get through the winter. I live in lower part of Michigan (Macomb County) in a small older model type mobile home. I have heat tape outside on my pipes and I can eliminate any drafts by insulating all drafts from any windows as mentioned above. I have tried asking this question or similar a number of times and have yet to get any answers other than kerosene heaters (which i am against as they can cause fires, or space heaters which I hear can run the electric bill sky high) I am trying very hard to get someone to please come and look at my furnace which isnt working but so far no luck so I want to prepare myself in the meantime. Government assistance wont help because according to them I do not qualify.

Answer 1

I have answered questions like this a few times. Some things only help if it is a sunny day.

One thing you dont want to do is block your windows. These let heat in from the sun. Some cheap ways to increase this is to go buy some black plastic sheets from the hardware store. Shouldnt cost to much might want to get some duct tape while there.

You can hang this sheeting in your windows that get direct sunlight. You can double the heating with a piece of cardboard or scrap plywood, just cover with aluminum foil and tilt slightly towards house on south side to get the sun to hit the plastic. This can heat a house pretty quickly. Put a fan in the room to circulate the air.

In the kitchen you can turn on the stove but leave the door shut. Direct a fan at it to circulate air. I only advise this for emergencies cause you can burn out the elements if electric and you leave the door open.

If you do use a space heater be sure the outlet doesnt have loose receptacles. If the cord falls out easily or with a slight amount of tension do not use it. You will cause a fire. Never use a extension cord with a space heater either.

Get some expanding foam at the hardware store and fill any cracks by the windows. Save your blankets for the doorways and yourself. However if the furnace isnt working you may want to put some towels or small blankets over the registers.

Check the skirting for leaks. Most of the heat in a trailer house is lost out the floor. The underlining is usually torn do to repairs or vermin and looses its ability to help. If you can get under here you could pack in some insulation in the holes and use the duct tape to patch it.

If the skirting has a breathing vent cover it with duct tape and a piece of cardboard. These do nothing but let cold air in.

BTW you can drive around and find free insulation at most construction sites. Alot of small pieces are thrown away by the installers. Just ask first.

I hate trailer houses and would like to say that nobody should buy or stay in one unless it is a manufactured home to specs.
These things are a drain on your money and the electrical grid. I hope you can find a better place to live.

Answer 2

What I have noticed is that you are just insulating your house. No heat source? I have heard and we do at my work is run an electric heater. It is cheaper than buying fuel for the winter. We also run a EdenPure heater. Just got it last year and it does not get hot to the touch and you dont have to worry about it tipping over. I think there are a couple styles to choose from so look it up online. You say government assistance wont help you, but do you have a energy assistance program in your area? I am a single mom and I just make over the limit for any kind of assistance so I know what you mean. My gas and electric bills for the winter wait until i get my taxes because I cant afford to pay them. I live in Wisconsin so I know how winters are. If you want to email me we can talk or message me.
But I wouldnt use kerosene heaters for the smell and fire availablity. But Space heaters ones that turn off when tipped or the eden pure heater would be a good idea. I hope you can get it figured out!

Answer 3

although I do not live in a severe climate like you, I never have to heat my 2000 Sq Ft home even when the outside temperature is in the low twenties. I have double insulated glass, R12+ insulation in the walls, R14 in the ceiling, and have inspected all the exterior doors for weatherstripping and air leaks. I use the fireplace in the evening before bed for an hour, burning about 1/2 cord of wood in three months at a cost of about $60.00. I simply dress warmly indoors and tolerate a temperature between 50-55 degrees for the duration.
I don't get sick like everybody else, have not had a cold or the flu since I started this winter regimen five years ago. My wife has been more healthy also and enjoys the same kind of health.
In your case I would recommend a small wood burning stove, properly installed, and about two cords of good hardwood for about $250.00. Build a fire at night and in the morning and enjoy the season. As far as I am concerned artificial heat is a health hazard that is totally unnecessary. 100 years ago no one used oil or electricity to heat their homes.

Answer 4

There is no way to keep your place warm without something to heat it. Your ideas on the water will probably stop broken pipes from happening. Covering the windows and such will stop the drafts but your mobile home probably isn't insulated for really cold weather. You definitely don't want any heaters indoors, other than electric, that aren't vented to the outside. Can't help with the furnace as I am in California. You will need that furnace.

Answer 5

What you have done is insulate your home. What this will do is slow down the transfer of heat from the inside to the outside, but it won't create any heat inside.
If your furnace doesn't work, then you will have to find some way to generate heat in your house. The least expensive route might be to have the furnace fixed. If it can't be fixed, then you might look into a wood burning stove instead of buying a new furnace.

Answer 6

Know how u feel Hun.I have asked many years what can I do.Even being on a dang budget for electric and gas heat(furnace) It is literally to high.Sweetie I hate to say it,But Do as I do.Bundle up,make sure all ur fur kids have plenty of blankies and pray that Churches will try to help u.Call every church in ur area.They make those little plug in type fans that actually blow heat.Not sure of how well They work.But I will try to look up some info for u.I am scared of kerosene too.Seen to many house fires last year because of them.Good Luck Hun.

Answer 7

when you have a laundry room down within the basement there's a attachment that you just placed at the duct paintings that places the warmth again into your residing area alternatively of it going external, simplest works of direction whilst you're drying your garments, kerosene warmers are a well supply however to not be located in a small discipline do to the fumes in order to construct up ( a 5 gallon) heater will final as much as nine hours on low atmosphere and approximately 6 hours on bigger atmosphere, however with the whole fees, it might be inexpensive to shop for him a energy surge strip for all his different stuff and in order to unlock some of the retailers for the heater (which demands to get replaced) purchase one with a thermostat developed into it, and spot if you'll discover one in order to close off it will get knocked over.

Answer 8

when we talk about insulating the house, the insulation is no good if it is not hermetically sealed. just look at the eskimo igloo, its only a pile of ice around but sufficient to keep them survived through the extreme winter. so concentrate on how you can sealed the air leak.

Answer 9

it will most likely help; in addition look into getting several bails of straw to go around the outside; stack them up against the house (my parents did this to our home when I was a child, they also wrapped it with large sheets of heavy-duty plastic stapled on, but we lived in an old farm house; stapling probably would not work on a mobile home)
Contact one of your local farms. The following might help:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mda/Upick_all_173388_7.pdf