As fall approaches, so does the beauty of the fall and winter weather, including heavy rains, wind, snow, ice and more. It’s never easy for your electrical system, since it has so many responsibilities as the weather gets colder and the nights get longer. Winter is coming, and the only roasts you want to count on having should be during the holidays. Instead of roasting your electrical system too, how about following some tips:
Produce Some Comfort with a Generator – They’re not meant for forever, and they aren’t meant to take you “off the grid” like a homesteader, but generators are helpful and can be a lifesaver in the winter. If you’re faced with a catastrophic winter power outage, a generator, which is usually powered by gasoline, can run a heater until the electricity turns back on. Enough backup fuel and a strong generator will not only keep you warm in the winter when you need it, but you can also use it to preserve refrigeration and even charge some mobile devices, if it’s absolutely necessary.
Remember: It’s not going to be possible to power everything in your house efficiently off of a generator unless you spend a substantial amount on a large genset. Determine what parts of your home are absolutely essential and then only hook up your generator’s power to these systems through a transfer switch. If you need to free up an outlet to use for specific needs, that can work as well.
Maintain Your Heating and Cooling – Nothing puts quite as much strain on your electrical system as your heating and cooling appliances. Every little bit counts and you should preserve your heating and cooling for as long as possible. The first thing you should do is make sure all of the connections to your system are in good condition and that your thermostat is functioning properly, because if not, it could trigger the system turning on and off when it shouldn’t, or it could potentially output more energy than it has to.
Check Your Property’s Exterior for Weak Points – There are many places where a property can be vulnerable to air leaks. Windows are the place everyone points, however, siding and foundations can pry open over time and leave small areas for air to leak in. Also, don’t forget to check your gutters. Clogged gutters will fill up with ice over the winter and the accumulation of ice building up can cause some serious problems with your roofing and infrastructure.
Check Batteries for Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors – Power just might go down when you least expect it. Who knows exactly what will go wrong during a severe fall or winter weather event? Keep the batteries in these vital instruments fresh so that they’re going strong even when the power goes out. Do you need more advice or some guidance on fixing your problems? We’re certified electrical contractors in Philadelphia as well as inspectors and will hear you out. Call us today at 800.401.6114.
