Guide

Survival Log Cold Wave Guide: Heater, Fuel & Staying Warm

Quick answer

After a cold-wave warning, craft the Heater from Sheet Metal and Wire, stage fuel, finish essential outdoor work, and protect food and power systems before temperatures fall.

Review record
Published: Last reviewed: Patch-sensitive facts are marked for recheck

Quick Answer

v1.0.14911 adds a fuel-burning Heater. After a cold-wave warning, a new event reminds you to prepare heating. The confirmed recipe uses Sheet Metal and Wire.

Cold-Wave Preparation Checklist

  1. Read the warning and pause lower-priority projects.
  2. Confirm the Heater recipe is available in the current build.
  3. Reserve Sheet Metal and Wire before spending them elsewhere.
  4. Craft and place the Heater where characters can reach it.
  5. Stage fuel and verify the Heater can operate.
  6. Repair doors and windows and finish urgent exploration.
  7. Protect refrigeration and other critical power loads.
  8. Keep ready food, medicine, and rest available indoors.

The official note does not publish a universal temperature, fuel-per-hour rate, or safe room radius. Use the current Heater interface and event text for those patch-sensitive values.

Heater vs Electrical Power

The Heater is described as fuel-burning, while the home also uses generators, solar panels, batteries, refrigerators, and other electrical equipment. Treat heat and electricity as connected logistics problems even if they consume different resources: a cold wave can stress the same stockpile that powers food preservation and indoor work.

Do not spend every metal component on heating while leaving a broken door or failed refrigerator. The Power guide and Food Spoilage guide cover those dependencies.

During the Cold Wave

  • keep the Heater fueled and reachable;
  • watch current character-state warnings rather than assuming warmth is global;
  • avoid nonessential exploration when the event raises risk;
  • check refrigerated food after any outage;
  • keep repair materials ready if the cold wave overlaps a horde.

FAQ

How do I craft the Heater?

The official August 23 note confirms Sheet Metal and Wire. Check the current crafting UI for quantities.

When does the Heater unlock?

The patch adds a reminder event after a cold-wave warning. Exact day and prerequisite rules are not published as universal values.

Does the Heater use electricity?

The official note calls it fuel-burning. Verify its live interface for the exact fuel and operation details in your version.

What version added the Heater?

v1.0.14911 on August 23, 2026.