Houston Electrician: Electrical Safety During a Power Outage

Preparing for the Next Power Outage

East Texas is no stranger to power outages. In the last 5 years, we have experienced two storm-related events that caused massive, widespread power outages that lasted for days. In 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused massive flooding and left hundreds of thousands without power as they were trying to recover. In 2021, Winter Storm Uri left between 2 and 3 million people without power during an incredibly cold period; water froze in many homes during this time.

Around the country, we deal with power outages and they can be very inconvenient, even dangerous. Most outages are temporary, generally caused by weather events, such as high winds and lightning. However, some regions experience outages and rolling blackouts due to excessive electrical demands and insufficient available power. Whatever the cause of power outages, here are some tips that can help you avoid the distress of lengthy power outages.

Around the House

1. Keep your trees trim. Fallen limbs are one of the most common preventable causes of power outages.

Choose to Save with your HVAC system

1. Strategic adjustments. During extreme temperature swings, you can adjust your thermostat by about 5⁰ while everyone is out of the house, or overnight. Daytime hours are high peak usage times, so if enough homeowners follow this schedule it can take the pressure off and avoid brown/blackouts.
2. Keep your HVAC system maintained. This will ensure it functions efficiently and saves energy.
3. Keep blinds and drapes closed during extremely hot days to reduce solar gain.

Choose Energy Saving Devices

1. If you still use incandescent light bulbs, switching to LED bulbs uses 6 times less energy.
2. Look for the ENERGY STAR rating when you buy appliances.

Make energy savings a habit.

1. Turn off lights when you leave a room.
2. Tools, appliances, and chargers continue to use electricity, even when not in use. A good test for this is—turn off all the lights in the house and notice all of the indicator lights shining.
3. Run high-energy appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers, late at night. This is well past the peak energy portion of the day.

Consult your Houston Electrician/professional

1. Call a Houston electrician and get an in-house “electrical checkup.” The technician will check the wiring, panels and check the circuits, catching small problems before they become big problems.
2. Now is the time to consider a backup generator. A generator is a smart move to protect your home and family during long power outages. It takes planning, so prepare ahead of the next outage coming your way.

Houston Electrician Providing Electrical Safety Tips During a Power Outage

Our four decades of experience as a Houston Electrician and contractor AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to protect you and your family during a power outage.

We have financing options available with great options with up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your electrical repair and installation needs.