How To Make Heat Without Electricity: The DIY Solution That Works In A Pinch

Winter weather is scary enough outdoors, but if your heater starts acting up and indoor temperatures begin to drop, you'll be shaking from both the cold and fear. Whether you have a power outage or an HVAC problem, you'll want a heat source, and fast. DIY solutions, including this one that lets you create a heat source without electricity, aren't safe enough for indoor use but can be perfect for a shed, garage, or other large and well-ventilated space in an emergency. One of the reliable alternative heat sources for if you lose power this winter is a sand battery that produces heat using just a few materials.

An emergency sand battery heater works by storing heat produced by a candle or flame. The process uses no electricity, but by storing heat, it can build up and radiate. In fact, you could see a nearly 100-degree Fahrenheit difference between the air temperature immediately around the bucket before and after using the DIY heater. The heat from the candle's flame transfers to the copper strip placed above it. The conductive copper then transfers the heat to the sand, which is a thermal insulator. 

It may sound like a survival gimmick, but more refined versions of this DIY sand battery are being produced on a large scale, and some are positioning it as a sustainable, renewable energy storage system to be used for individual homes and even small towns. The DIY version is not quite as powerful, but in a pinch, it can provide some heat. Just be sure to follow proper safety precautions while creating and using it.

For this heater, you'll need a metal bucket, a candle, a copper strip, and a bag of sand. Most candles work, and the larger the candle, the longer your heater will work. If you have some or all of these on hand, they can be practical, low-cost tricks for staying warm and cozy at home during winter.

To make the heater, add a layer of sand to the bottom of the bucket and set the copper strip, formed into a circle, on top of the sand. Make sure the copper touches the sides of the bucket and extends a couple of inches above the rim. Hold the copper in place as you add more sand. When the sand is high enough to hold your candle so its flame is roughly an inch from the copper circle's peak, insert the candle. Pack more sand around the candle to hold it in place and adjust its position, then light it and enjoy the heat.

Make sure that you maintain fire safety while using the heater. Keep a smoke detector and fire extinguisher nearby and ready to use, and extinguish the candle if you plan to leave the heater's vicinity. You can replace the candle for more heat time, but wait until the heater has completely cooled before doing so. If you are wondering how to tell if your HVAC system is not heating your home, this heater is an alternative worth trying.