North suburb of Austin here. 7 degrees right now (prior cold that I remember was 17 in 2011). I spent the last few days building "heat" boxes for all of my outside faucets. They are all built into the slab so no way to turn them off without turn all water off. Also added heater tape to all my attic hot/cold water pipes. Have a portable heater in my well house shed to keep those pipes open. Outside gardens are toast. Did a big harvest two days ago of my lettuce, spinach and collard greens Cabbage is all froze, but it is staying there for now. We got 8 inches last night of beautiful powder. Drifting 2 feet against the north and east walls. Crazy. No shovel needed. Just used a rake and broom to move it away from the outside AC units and doors. Biggest problem is that we have 1/4 inch ice under all of that snow, even in the grass. Many tree limbs down. Rolling blackouts because of the high energy use.
Stay safe brother.North suburb of Austin here. 7 degrees right now (prior cold that I remember was 17 in 2011). I spent the last few days building "heat" boxes for all of my outside faucets. They are all built into the slab so no way to turn them off without turn all water off. Also added heater tape to all my attic hot/cold water pipes. Have a portable heater in my well house shed to keep those pipes open. Outside gardens are toast. Did a big harvest two days ago of my lettuce, spinach and collard greens Cabbage is all froze, but it is staying there for now. We got 8 inches last night of beautiful powder. Drifting 2 feet against the north and east walls. Crazy. No shovel needed. Just used a rake and broom to move it away from the outside AC units and doors. Biggest problem is that we have 1/4 inch ice under all of that snow, even in the grass. Many tree limbs down. Rolling blackouts because of the high energy use.
My ranch is 35 miles east of me, and it took me 1 hour to make the trip yesterday to feed/water the animals. Usually a 30 minute trip. Not certain I can get there today, but the animals all have heated tanks and plenty of food and shelter from the north wind.
Second huge snowstorm of the year. And I moved away from PA to get away from this crap!!
Texas was always PO'd when they lost their designation as the largest land state after Alaska was brought in. Unfortunately for them they are experiencing Alaska type weather.
You make an interesting point. Even at its hottest in the summer we never have rolling blackouts. We are ok so far in my area but my daughter who lives in Dallas lost power 2 hours ago.
Three things on that. One is that most have heat pumps for air/heater, but in super cold, the heat pumps do not work well, and that is why they have a resistive element in the unit (think hairdryer) that turns on. Super inefficient to heat that way (but better than nothing). I believe there is more power draw on that, versus the heat pump on AC days.
What type of socks are best, white, argyle, orthopedic or is there a different preference? Don’t ask me why I’m inquiring.😏
Three things on that. One is that most have heat pumps for air/heater, but in super cold, the heat pumps do not work well, and that is why they have a resistive element in the unit (think hairdryer) that turns on. Super inefficient to heat that way (but better than nothing). I believe there is more power draw on that, versus the heat pump on AC days.
Second, everyone is home in the state and cranking their electric. I have my three (upstairs, downstairs, garage) units set for 65 (62 at night), but am thinking many have them at 72.
Lastly, I got notice that all the west Texas wind turbines are shut down. Many frozen over. We get a bit of power from wind that isn't available right now. I bet many wish for a good old fashioned coal factory pumping right now
I have one here in Bmore and yes the (aux) heat runs a lot when it gets below certain temp.
Go with the thigh highs, but realize the fishnets won't do well.
Both SILs in Dallas area (one in Quinlan and the other in Highland Park - and no, you don't want pictures) have frozen over hot water pipes now. They let the cold water drip, but never thought about the hot water. Everyone knows that hot water pipes freeze over faster than cold water pipes, right! Not them, and one is a big shot doctor up there. Guess he never took a physics course beforeCompletely understand about heat pumps,
Good point about everyone being at home.
I read about the wind turbines being frozen over.
Let those faucet's drip.
Open the cabinet doors below sinks in non-inside walls that have pipes. Use the gas oven for heat but take care not to overheat and burn the house down.There are certain fundamental things you learn growing up in Western PA. One of them is how to deal with power outages in the winter, that you don't even have to take a physics course to know
North suburb of Austin here. 7 degrees right now (prior cold that I remember was 17 in 2011). I spent the last few days building "heat" boxes for all of my outside faucets. They are all built into the slab so no way to turn them off without turn all water off. Also added heater tape to all my attic hot/cold water pipes. Have a portable heater in my well house shed to keep those pipes open. Outside gardens are toast. Did a big harvest two days ago of my lettuce, spinach and collard greens Cabbage is all froze, but it is staying there for now. We got 8 inches last night of beautiful powder. Drifting 2 feet against the north and east walls. Crazy. No shovel needed. Just used a rake and broom to move it away from the outside AC units and doors. Biggest problem is that we have 1/4 inch ice under all of that snow, even in the grass. Many tree limbs down. Rolling blackouts because of the high energy use.
My ranch is 35 miles east of me, and it took me 1 hour to make the trip yesterday to feed/water the animals. Usually a 30 minute trip. Not certain I can get there today, but the animals all have heated tanks and plenty of food and shelter from the north wind.
Second huge snowstorm of the year. And I moved away from PA to get away from this crap!!
on their own power grid, that is correct. When the NE's power grid went down, that was a big selling feature. As a result, the majority of disaster recovery computer systems are housed in TX. The thinking was the primary was in a major grid, the secondary being in TX's independent grid.
Yeah. Funny, but I worry about the animals more than us. At least mine are in the barns now. Goats never gone into the big barn (they have their own shelters), but I brought them inside. They are going to make a mess of the place until I get there. As long as we have electricity there, they will have unfrozen water. Trying to figure out how to get out there today, or tomorrow at the latest. A snowmobile would be nice now
