How to Keep Warm During a Power Cut

Your first priority is to stop your home losing heat unnecessarily.

• Close curtains and blinds to reduce heat loss through windows.
• Shut internal doors to keep warmth in the rooms you're using.
• Block draughts with rolled-up towels or draught excluders. Never cover ventilation grilles.
• Let sunlight in during the day, then close curtains when temperatures fall.

These simple steps won't generate heat, but they can slow down how quickly your home cools.

Rather than trying to keep the entire house comfortable, concentrate on one room.

Choose a relatively small room and bring together:

• Blankets, duvets and sleeping bags
• Warm clothing and thick socks
• Torches and battery-powered lighting
• Drinking water, snacks and essential medication

Keeping everyone together in one room can make things easier, although sharing one enormous blanket is entirely optional!

Several layers of clothing are usually better than one thick layer.

• Wear thermals, jumpers and fleeces.
• Keep your feet warm with thick socks and slippers.
• Use blankets, duvets or sleeping bags when sitting still.
• Change out of damp clothing promptly.

Don't forget hot water bottles. If you have a safe way to heat water, they can provide welcome warmth. Use hot, not boiling, water and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Gentle movement and regular meals can also help you stay comfortable.

I love heated throws for keeping warm during a power cut, provided you have a portable power station to run them.

Rather than trying to heat an entire room, a heated throw warms you directly while you're sitting on the sofa.

They use considerably less electricity than a conventional electric heater, making them a much more practical option for battery-powered heating.

Single-Person Option – Silentnight Comfort Control Heated Throw

The Silentnight Comfort Control is a soft electric heated blanket suitable for personal warmth.

• Soft, comfortable material
• Adjustable heat settings
• Suitable for individual use

Larger Option – GOTCOZY Double Heated Throw

For couples or anyone wanting more coverage, a larger heated throw could be worth considering.

The GOTCOZY electric heated throw provides a larger alternative for keeping warm while relaxing on the sofa.

You'll Need a Portable Power Station

Heated throws still need electricity. During a power cut, you'll need a compatible portable power station to operate one.

I'd recommend a larger-capacity power station if you want to keep warm for several hours, particularly if you're running more than one throw.

For example, a heated throw consuming a continuous 100W could operate for approximately:

These estimates assume approximately 80% of the stated battery capacity is delivered to the throw. Actual running times depend on heat settings, automatic shutoff, battery capacity and efficiency.

This is an illustrative 100W example, not a confirmed specification for either linked throw.

For comparison, a 2,000W electric heater would consume twenty times as much electricity as a 100W heated throw.

My recommendation: If you already own a suitable power station, a heated throw is one of the first things I'd consider for keeping warm during a power cut.

If you're thinking of buying a power station, take a look at my Best Jackery Power Stations guide for different battery capacities and options.

For longer power cuts, a suitable indoor gas heater offers another way to provide warmth without mains electricity.

GASDEPOT WARMGLOW Portable Gas Heater – 4.1kW

The GASDEPOT WARMGLOW is a freestanding butane gas heater designed for indoor use in appropriately ventilated rooms.

It provides an alternative source of warmth during a power cut without needing mains electricity.

Key features:

• Adjustable heat output from approximately 1.5kW to 4.1kW
• Three heat settings
• Built-in oxygen-depletion safety shutoff
• Castor wheels for easier movement
• Butane gas operation
• No mains electricity required

Its adjustable settings make it a useful option to consider for emergency heating during an extended power cut.

Important Gas Heater Safety

• Follow the manufacturer's ventilation and minimum room-size requirements.
• Use a working carbon monoxide alarm.
• Keep at least 50cm clearance at the sides and 100cm at the front, as specified by the manufacturer.
• Never use the heater in bedrooms or bathrooms.
• Never leave it operating unattended or while sleeping.
• Keep children, pets and combustible materials away from the heater.
• Never use outdoor camping stoves or barbecues to heat indoor spaces.

During an extended winter power cut, your home could eventually become dangerously cold.

Take particular care of babies, older people and anyone with medical conditions.

• Aim to keep regularly used rooms at around 18°C or warmer where possible.
• Consider staying with friends or family who still have heating.
• Move somewhere safe and warm if your home becomes too cold.

You don't need to spend a fortune preparing for a winter power cut.

Start with the basics: keep the warmth inside, dress in layers and have plenty of blankets and warm bedding available.

For additional warmth, I particularly like heated throws combined with a suitable portable power station. A properly approved indoor gas heater is another option worth considering.

A little preparation now could make a cold winter power cut considerably more comfortable. And there's nothing wrong with having an excuse to spend the evening wrapped in a duvet!