Heat for Homeless

M Vermillion

I have a friend who is homeless. He lives in a "refurbished" tool shed. The shed has no electricity or any access to such. It is dry and has some insulation, enough to stay warm during the harsh, midwestern winter if he can obtain some kind of heat source. He tends to use whatever he can find for heating, normally unhealthy or dangerous devises he can scrounge. I'm trying to find an inexpensive way to help him heat this small (8' X 10')space. All ideas are welcome. There is no electricity or wood stove available and no way to obtain wood or coal. I'm guessing the only alternative is a very small propane device. Of course, an ideal device would also allow for limited cooking. I do have a 40 lb tank I can get for him. Help!!

Tom Kane

heat for the homeless

If you can send me your email address, I have an idea.....might work, and might be ups...able.....heat only....no cooking..........

Mark Hunt

Is this a joke?

You call this guy your friend yet you leave him in a shack? Now you want to "help" by finding him a heating unit he can cook on? Unbelieveable!!!!!!

Unknown

You have no idea whatsoever what the situation is here. You ever know anyone you'd like to help, and hit the limit with how much help you can give? Think maybe this might be one of those situations?

M Vermillion

No Joke

This guy is a severe alchaholic. Hasn't worked in 8 years. He lives in a shed on the back of his property. He quit paying his bills, gas, electric, water, phone, about 3 years ago. I've hired him on a continuous basis to do small jobs for food, but he uses it for booze. I feed him, clothe him, feed his dog, give him rides to the store and doctor. But I cannot simply support this fellow because he refuses to work. But, I will not stand aside and let him freeze either. So Buddy ol'pal, if you feel I should do more, please let me know how much YOU are willing to spend weekly and I can send you my mailing address and how to make your check out. If not, please consider your judgment misguided.

Tom K. Thanks for your offer. My email address is piedmontlake@yahoo.com. I appreciate your unbiased and unconditional offer of help. Not sure what's up with this Buddy character.

Uni R_2

How rural?

Is this city, country or suburbia?

M Vermillion

Location

Extremely small village (population 120), no codes.

[Deleted User]

Wish I could help...

About all I can offer is advice. Be careful in whatever you use or you could be attending your friends funeral.

Open flame in a small area of that size without proper outside air for combustion will generate carbon monoxide.

If at all possible, try and find a camper style of forced air heater. They mount to the outside, and keep the combustion process away from the inside. They also come in extremely small sizes and don't require much more than a 12 volt battery to power them, which could be charged from the sun.

There are a lot of sad cases like your friends out there. It is good of you to help when, where and how you can.

Try googling 12 volt propane heaters. THere are a lot out there.

http://www.zodi.com/web-content/Dealer/zodidealermedia9174.html

ME

Uni R_2

Relocation

Maybe relocate his shack to someone that's got a big heat leak... maybe factory or store where it is pretty out of sight. He won't be warm but he won't freeze either. Guys like that would get hospitalized for being so dependent if it were drugs instead. It really should be treated the same way. We try and help every other group and then we let people slowly fall from grace for ruining themselves when in it is just booze.

M Vermillion

Thanks Everyone

Man, you all responded quickly and I appreciate it very much. I'll do my research on the information you all provided. Thanks again!!

Perry_2

I'd like to thank you...

for helping out as much as you do.

I understand, and have helped a few people within the limit of what I could do in the past as well (and even had a gal drop me because I would help people).

Many people are afraid to help; but, how can you have the joy from giving if you are afraid to help.

Best wishes; and please email me direct if I can help.

Perry

American plumber

heat

During winter sailing passages on a sailboat,this works extremely well for us;We put clay pots (the gardening type) upside down over the burners of the propane stove we have on board.As long as proper precautions are taken (fire,ventilation) he will have some nice radiant heat and be able to cook on the same unit.

M Vermillion

Thanks For Helping

Just a quick Thank You for helping me help my friend. Many of you are still in the process of hooking me up with sources that may allow me to help this fella. Hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season. Thanks!

realolman

I just want to say

Good for you.

Lots of people spew lots of stuff about God, but I think your actions of caring and help is an example of how it is supposed to work.

M Vermillion

Thanks

Thank you friend.

Dave Belisle

There is a old lady in Cornish , NH that has lived in a old Ford Maverick for at least 10 years that I know of. She started a fire in the car with a sturno can one winter trying to keep warm. When the fire department showed up she chased them away from her car with an ax !! From the road, the car looks a little burnt now, but she still lives in the darn thing, and there is no reason for it. She knows she could move into the house next to where the car is... It's family. I'm not joking either...It is incredable how some people choose to live...

Anyway , to your question.

I would look at a small Empire propane heater.

They are direct vent . So CO won't be an issue. There is no open flame so he shouldn't burn his place down, and they don't require electricty , They have a thermopile that gernerates the power needed for the T stat and gas valve.

You might find a used one in a swap and sell paper.

It would warm food up , but you realy couldn't cook on it.

It is the safer way to go.

You might find finacial help from state programs available for the poor.
Check with some of the social agencies.

I just signed a contract for a Oil fired boiler change out and the homeowners won't pay a dime......

Dave in NH

PS Just so you guys know, and you don't go off the deep end on me ,in this family one parent has MS. The other Cancer..neither can work...It's not they don't want to...