Keeping warm when central heating fails — layering, insulating your home, emergency heating options, sleeping strategies, protecting vulnerable people, and community warming.
During the February 2021 Texas freeze, over 4.5 million homes lost heating as the power grid failed in temperatures that reached −18°C in some areas. Dozens of people died from hypothermia — not outdoors, but inside their own homes. Cold homes kill quietly and progressively: judgement impairs, movement slows, and the person becomes increasingly unable to recognise or respond to their own deteriorating condition. The key insight from events like this is that passive warmth management — knowing how to retain body heat with what you have — is as lifesaving as any active heating system.
The body generates heat through metabolism and muscular activity, and loses it through five mechanisms:
Effective warmth retention addresses all five. Dry, still, insulated environments are warm. Wet, moving, uninsulated environments kill.
| Stage | Core Temperature | Signs | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild (35–37°C) | 95–98.6°F | Shivering, goosebumps, clumsy | Add insulation, warm drinks, movement |
| Moderate (32–35°C) | 89–95°F | Intense shivering, confusion, slow movement | Insulate, remove wet clothes, warm core |
| Severe (<32°C) | <89°F | No shivering, severe confusion, drowsiness | Emergency — active rewarming, medical care |
| Critical (<28°C) | <82°F | Unconsciousness, apparent death | Emergency — handle gently, do not rub, CPR if needed |
⚠️ Paradoxical undressing — removing clothing as hypothermia progresses — occurs because the dying capillaries near the skin suddenly dilate, creating a false sensation of warmth. If someone begins removing clothes in a cold environment, treat as severe hypothermia immediately.
Shivering is helpful: It is the body's muscular heat generation mechanism. When shivering stops, it means either the body has warmed or it has exhausted its ability to generate heat — and the latter is life-threatening.
The most effective warmth strategy requires no heat source — just correct clothing layering.
Base layer — moisture management
Mid layer — insulation
Outer layer — wind and moisture barrier
When central heating fails, the goal is to reduce the size of the space you are trying to keep warm and increase its insulation.
Choose the smallest, most insulated room — preferably interior (surrounded by other rooms on multiple sides, not against exterior walls). The smaller the space and the more bodies in it, the faster it warms with body heat alone.
Inside a room, a further layer of insulation can be created:
Electric space heaters — if electricity is available (including from a generator outdoors). Oil-filled radiators are the safest option: no exposed element, no fire risk, slow and steady heat output.
Indoor-rated propane heater (e.g., Mr. Heater Buddy) — specifically rated for indoor use, these have oxygen depletion sensors that shut them off if CO rises.
Indoor-rated kerosene heater — similar considerations to propane. Requires kerosene (1-K grade) stored safely. Provides good heat output for a room.
Wood-burning stove or fireplace — the gold standard. Burns sustainably sourced wood with no fuel shortage risk. Requires a properly installed and swept chimney.
| Device | Why It Kills |
|---|---|
| Barbecue grill (indoors) | Produces massive amounts of CO; has killed people within minutes |
| Charcoal grill or briquettes (indoors) | CO is produced even when fully burning; charcoal is particularly dangerous indoors |
| Outdoor propane heater (patio heater) | Not rated or designed for enclosed spaces; CO accumulation |
| Gas oven or range for space heating | CO production; fire risk from items placed near burners |
| Running vehicle engine in garage | CO poisoning; has killed numerous people even with doors open |
⚠️ Carbon monoxide is colourless, odourless, and tasteless. You will not detect it until you are already cognitively impaired. A CO detector is not optional when using any combustion heating. Keep fresh batteries installed.
Body temperature drops during sleep — planning for warm sleep in a cold house is critical.
A sleeping bag rated to the ambient temperature is the single most effective piece of equipment for sleeping warm without heating. Temperature ratings:
Hot water bottle — fill from any heat source (camping stove, fireplace) and place inside the sleeping bag 15–20 minutes before getting in. Maintains warmth for 4–6 hours.
Cold is particularly dangerous for the elderly:
Check on elderly household members and neighbours at least twice daily during a cold emergency. The WHO recommends indoor temperatures above 18°C for healthy adults and above 20°C for vulnerable people.
Infants cannot shiver — they have no active heat-generation mechanism other than limited brown adipose tissue. They become hypothermic rapidly in cold environments.
Diabetics, those with cardiovascular disease, and those on certain medications (including some blood pressure drugs, antipsychotics, and sedatives) are at elevated risk of cold injury. Maintain their environment as warm as possible and monitor closely.
When a failure extends to whole neighbourhoods:
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Heating fails | Concentrate in one room; seal doors and windows |
| Clothing strategy | Base (wool/synthetic), mid (fleece/down), outer (windproof), hat |
| Sleeping without heat | Rated sleeping bag, hot water bottle, hat in bed |
| Emergency heating | Electric heater (if power) or indoor-rated propane/kerosene with CO alarm |
| Barbecue/charcoal for heating | Never indoors — CO will kill |
| Infant in cold | Skin-to-skin contact; multiple thin layers; do not use loose blankets |
| Elderly person feeling cold | Prioritise; check twice daily; warming centre if indoor temp drops below 18°C |
| Shivering stops without warming | Severe hypothermia — medical emergency |
| Person removing clothes in cold | Paradoxical undressing — severe hypothermia — insulate core immediately |
This article provides general guidance on cold weather survival without central heating. Hypothermia is a medical emergency — always call emergency services if you suspect severe hypothermia. Carbon monoxide detectors should be installed before using any combustion heating device.
Take Staying Warm Without Heat with you — no internet needed when it matters most.
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