Winter is a rollercoaster of events for people of all ages. Snow days are a recurring nightmare for teachers and parents and a dream for children, until the end of the school year rolls around, and holidays bring both the best and worst out of people. Likewise, your electrical system will experience the same rollercoaster. While it will truly shine throughout the winter and show property owners why they invest so much time and money into it, it can also falter and cause some serious issues. Fortunately for you, there are a lot of pre-emptive actions you can take to ensure the best possible outcomes for both your property and electrical systems this coming winter.
Electrical systems that are constantly running will become hot. This seems elementary, but many people don’t realize this fact as they’re making sure their electrical systems are ready for the winter. You need to thoroughly check all of your insulation and insulated wires—they will become hot as they are supplying power to heaters and other appliances throughout the days and nights of winter—heat can lead to fire and smoldering, which will result in damage to property, nasty smells and, in a worst-case-scenario, an electrical fire. We have specialized equipment to test, repair and certify your electrical system.
Good insulation saves heat and money, and reduces strain on electrical systems. A well-balanced, climate-controlled property is also one that is completely insulated. Insulation in windows is the most important factor in most properties, with indoor, climate-controlled air being constantly fed into the great outdoors, where it’s not wanted or needed. Make sure your windows are well-insulated; most of the time great window insulation can be achieved by an expert in a short amount of time, unless the windows have sustained heavy damage due to windy and stormy weather or aging. The attic is another overseen area of importance—since heat rises, your house can potentially lose large amounts of heat through the ceilings and attics. Poorly insulated doorways will also let some indoor air bleed out and vice versa. Check out the fine tuning of the insulation through your property.
Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors save lives, and you should check yours. They do not take a long time to check—just check out the batteries, and replace them if you need to. Many of the alarms have a “test” feature. If you’re not sure, contact the company you got them from and ask for assistance. Place a smoke detector near the breaker on your electrical system—you want to know as quickly as possible.
Things can happen to water pipes. Check where they are in relation to your electrical systems and prepare. Pipes freeze, it’s a fact of life. Find your pipes that are at risk of the outdoor air. If we’re getting another polar vortex or the like in the PA and NJ regions, you can expect they will freeze. Water and electricity don’t mix, so you should find wherever water may come in contact and plan accordingly. If you need help insulating your pipelines or electrical system, consult a professional immediately. An example of where this could be an issue is a hose line outside being near an exterior electrical outlet.
Winter can be a lot of fun if properly prepared for. Make sure you’re one of the ones having fun this winter and not playing catchup. Need some more advice? Need some help winterizing your electrical systems? Contact us today!
