Houston Winter Readiness: Protecting Your Home from Extreme Temperatures

It has been a while, but Houston does experience its share of winter storms and extreme temperatures. Our version of winter storms entails cold temperatures (for our locale), some snow and ice, and, since these temperatures are coming from the far north, they occasionally bring high winds. It is important to have an emergency preparedness plan for loss of power.

Extreme conditions can create problems for homeowners, so it is best to be prepared. Main components of emergency preparedness might include:

• A whole-house surge protector
• A whole-house generator
• An emergency plan

Emergency Preparedness for Houston’s Unpredictable Weather

A Whole-house Surge Protector

The power grid provides a stable flow of electricity, with slight, irregular current changes, and these are called power surges. Most serious surges come from a random vehicle accident, high winds, or lightning strikes. Admittedly, these incidents are infrequent, but they can happen, and it is worth preparing for them to avoid damage.

A surge protector is installed between the power grid and the home’s electrical service panel. Sensors immediately detect a surge in power and divert the electricity from the home. A lightning strike to the power grid can yield 100 million to 1 billion volts, enough power to melt residential wiring and destroy appliances and devices.

A Whole-house Generator

A generator provides backup electricity during power outages. Some outages last for a few hours, but some storms leave a whole community without electricity for weeks. Again, such events are infrequent, but they are unpredictable. Prepare for an outage with a whole-house generator.

A generator must have a transfer switch, a device that detects an outage and, within seconds, disconnects the home from the grid and starts the generator to energize the home’s wiring system. Energizing the home’s wiring system WITHOUT a transfer switch endangers repair crews and surrounding homes. The switch is an important safety device.

The generator is a permanent installation, with specific features:

• The location must be far enough from windows, doors, and garages to prevent exhaust from entering the home. The generator will also create noise, so placement should avoid bedroom windows if possible. (Don’t forget to consider your neighbors during placement.)
• In some locations, the generator will need to be elevated above the potential for flash flooding.
• Connecting the generator to the municipal natural gas utility is best when available. If natural gas is not available, provide storage for propane tanks or gasoline storage away from the house for safety reasons.

An Emergency Plan

Emergency preparedness plans abound, and planning is only limited by imagination and the budget. The plan will vary, depending on the intensity of the storm and whether your plans included a generator.  Basics should include:

• Flashlight, batteries, portable phone chargers, and battery-powered communication devices
• Potable water and flushing water
• Ready-to-eat food supplies

If it is necessary to evacuate the home, make sure to slightly open faucets to allow the water to keep moving.

Secure Your Home with Expert Emergency Preparedness

Don’t wait for the next Houston freeze to realize your home is vulnerable to power surges and extended outages. Investing in professional emergency preparedness now ensures your sensitive electronics and your family’s comfort are protected before the storm hits. Whether you need the robust backup power of a whole-home generator or the invisible shield of a surge protector, our team is ready to help you fortify your property. We provide expert assessments to determine the best placement and sizing for your specific electrical needs. Call AirPro Houston today at 281-880-8805 to request a professional quote on a home surge protector or whole-home generator installation.