Even with today's advanced technologies and the improved reliability of the electrical grid, power outages are still common, both from routine maintenance and from unforeseen events. Though the average power outage may only last minutes or hours, it is still wise to prepare for the worst, such as the aftermath of a hurricane. Here are a few tips that can help you prepare for an extended power outage:
Without lights, simply moving around your home can be tricky after dark. Keep flashlights in handy locations, such as bedside tables, near exterior doors and in common areas, like the kitchen. Also add a few battery-operated lanterns to provide full-room illumination for areas like the bathroom or kitchen. Change the batteries at least twice a year, and keep extras available.
Keep a few extra blankets and warm clothes available, in case a power outage occurs during the winter or cooler weather. Even if you have a gas or propane furnace, it relies on an electric fan motor to distribute the air, as well as other electrical systems like the thermostat. Therefore, when the power goes out, the furnace will not be able to operate.
Keep some canned or dry foods on hand for easy preparation during a power outage. If you have an electric stove, it may be wise to also invest in an outdoor camp stove or grill for emergency food preparation, but, to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, never use them indoors. Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer often during an outage, and consider using ice to cool perishables if the outage lasts longer than four hours.
If you often loose power for extended periods, consider installing a backup generator to keep your furnace, refrigerator and other critical appliances operating when the power goes out. A professionally-installed system can start automatically when power is lost, and shut down when it is restored. For more ways to prepare for a power outage, talk to our team at Russell's Heating & Cooling, serving Hampton Roads and the surrounding areas. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chesapeake, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about power outages and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 757-750-1831. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “openclipart-vectors/Pixabay”