Make the heating plan specific to the home.

Understand the primary heat

Ask a qualified technician to explain normal operation, routine service, safe settings during absences and what fails when power is lost. Record who can authorize a repair and how a fuel delivery reaches the home after weather changes.

Confirm any insurer requirements for heat, vacancy and inspection. Do not treat a fireplace as adequate backup simply because it exists.

Sources: CDC — Preparing for a Winter Storm · NAIC — Insurance Coverage for Home-Sharing Rentals

If the home has an approved wood-burning appliance

Use the appliance's instructions and an appropriate inspection/cleaning schedule. EPA's archived guidance recommends dry, seasoned wood with moisture below 20 percent and storage off the ground with the top covered. The EPA page is a historic resource and has not been updated since October 2025.

Obtain firewood through a lawful source. If collecting on national-forest land, verify the applicable permit, current restrictions and access first. This guide does not establish a cutting season or include a wood-delivery service.

• Confirm appliance, chimney, clearances, alarms and safe ash handling.
• Ask the supplier about wood type, dryness, quantity, delivery and stacking.
• Decide who checks the supply before an arrival and who can reorder.

Sources: EPA — Best Wood-Burning Practices (historic archive) · San Juan National Forest — Permits

Keep a useful private equipment record

• Equipment make/model and current service contact.
• Normal and absence procedures supplied by the qualified professional.
• Fuel/reorder threshold and delivery access plan.
• Alarm and outage escalation steps.
• Last completed service and next review date.