The lights flicker. Then they go out.
Within minutes, you hear your furnace fall silent. The hum of forced air stops, and you realize what most homeowners forget: modern heating systems need electricity to run their blowers, thermostats, and controls. Without power, they’re useless.
If you’ve ever sat looking at your fireplace during a winter storm, thinking and wishing it could keep you warm even without power—this guide is for you. The right heating appliance isn’t just about comfort and ambiance. It’s a critical backup system that can keep your family safe when the grid goes down.
Let’s look at what actually works when the power’s out.
Wood Stoves: Total Independence from the Grid
A wood stove is the ultimate emergency heat source because it requires absolutely no electricity to operate.
Once lit, a quality wood stove produces massive amounts of radiant heat that can keep your primary living areas comfortable—sometimes even warm enough to heat adjacent rooms. Unlike your furnace, there are no circuit boards to fail, no igniters to worry about, and no dependency on infrastructure beyond your own preparation.
Bonus capability: Many wood stoves can double as a simple cooktop during an extended outage, letting you warm water or heat food when your electric or gas range won’t work.
How to prepare:
- Keep 1–2 cords of seasoned, dry firewood on hand before winter arrives
- Schedule an annual chimney inspection and cleaning
- Know your local firewood suppliers in case you need to restock
- Store fire-starting materials in a dry, accessible location
Wood stoves aren’t just heating appliances. They’re independence.
Gas Logs & Inserts: Modern Comfort with Emergency Backup
If you prefer the convenience of gas, you’re not out of options during a power outage—but you do need the right system.
Many modern gas fireplaces and inserts are designed with emergency operation in mind. Systems with battery backup ignition or millivolt technology can light and operate even when the power’s out.
Here’s what you need to know:
The electric blower won’t work without power, but the burner itself will still produce significant radiant heat. That means your fireplace can keep your main living space livable during an outage, even if it won’t circulate warm air throughout the house like it normally would.
This is a major advantage over your central heating system, which goes completely offline the moment the power drops.
How to prepare:
- Test your battery backup system at least once a year
- Keep fresh batteries on hand (check your owner’s manual for the correct type)
- Confirm you have adequate propane or natural gas supply before storm season
- If you’re not sure whether your current system has emergency capability, ask us—we can tell you
Not all gas fireplaces are created equal when it comes to power outages. If emergency heat matters to you, the system you choose matters too.
Why Heat & Glo Leads in Emergency Preparedness
When you’re choosing a heating appliance that might need to function during a crisis, brand reliability isn’t just marketing—it’s a safety consideration.
Heat & Glo has built its reputation on engineering fireplaces and inserts that work when you need them most. Their IntelliFire ignition system is specifically designed to operate on battery power during blackouts, giving you control over your heat source even when the grid is down.
This isn’t a happy accident. It’s intentional design.
Heat & Glo systems are built with redundancy and reliability in mind, which is why we trust them for our customers who want more than just ambiance—they want peace of mind. When you invest in a Heat & Glo fireplace or insert, you’re not just buying a product. You’re installing a backup heating system that’s been engineered to perform under pressure.
If emergency preparedness is part of your decision-making process, Heat & Glo should be part of your conversation with us.
Safety First: What You Must Know
Emergency heat only works if it’s used safely. Here’s what you need to get right:
Proper venting is non-negotiable.
Never use camp stoves, propane heaters, or any unvented device indoors—even during an emergency. Your wood stove or gas fireplace must be properly vented, and your chimney or flue must be clean and inspected annually. Carbon monoxide buildup is silent and deadly.
Install battery-operated detectors.
You need working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors on every floor of your home. During a power outage, hardwired detectors may not function. Battery-operated units are your backup.
Maintain clearances.
Keep all flammable materials—furniture, blankets, curtains, firewood—at least three feet away from your heat source. Radiant heat is powerful, and materials can ignite even without direct contact with flames.
Never improvise.
If your fireplace or stove isn’t designed for emergency use, don’t try to force it. Unsafe workarounds create risk. If you’re unsure what your system can do, ask a professional before you need to use it.
We take safety seriously at every stage—including installation. Our team includes floor protection as standard during every install, because keeping your home safe means protecting it at every step of the process.
Get Winter-Ready Now
Winter storms don’t announce themselves with much notice. Your heating backup shouldn’t be something you think about when the power’s already out.
If you’ve been wondering whether your current fireplace can function as emergency heat—or if you’ve been considering adding that capability to your home—now is the time to find out.
Visit our showroom in Bloomington to see the latest Heat & Glo models with battery backup technology, talk with our team about your home’s specific needs, and make sure you’re prepared before the next storm.
Your home’s warmth during an emergency shouldn’t be left to chance.