5 Tips to Efficiently Handle a Spring Power Outage

Spring is finally here and soon, the snow and ice will be replaced with rain showers and thunderstorms. Now is the time to prepare for severe thunderstorms and power outages. These tips will ensure that you are ready for spring showers.

Keep an umbrella in your car

The spring season is known for its abundance of rain showers. The weather can change quickly being full of sunshine one minute and then pouring rain the next. Keeping an umbrella in your car will ensure that you are ready for any weather condition. It is easy to store an umbrella in your car’s trunk or backseat. There are also even more portable of options such as a collapsible umbrella that you can leave in your purse or desk.

Upgrade your windshield wipers

While many driver’s keep up with regular vehicle maintenance, most do not replace their windshield wipers often enough. Don’t wait until there is a severe rainstorm to find that your windshield wipers are not working efficiently enough. New wipers are affordable and easy to install, so you can easily replace them within minutes. You will also notice the difference immediately as new wipers can significantly improve driver viability.

Check your rain gutters

Rain gutters are an important part of your home’s structure. They remove rain and other debris from the roof, thus protecting the integrity of the roof. The winter season can put a lot of wear and tear on the gutters. As soon as the weather begins to warm up, it is a good idea to inspect and potentially schedule a professional gutter cleaning. This is also when you will want to make any needed repairs.

Consider a whole house generator

Heavy rains and thunderstorms can easily knock down power lines. Some communities are more prone than others to lose power, but it can happen to anyone. When there is a potentially large thunderstorm and many houses lose power, it can take many hours, or even days, to fully restore the power. Because these storms usually occur during the summer months, residents are left to handle the sweltering heat. Installing whole house generators can ensure that you have power, even during the most severe of thunderstorms.

It is a good idea to schedule a professional generator installation service to get recommendations as to the exact type and size of emergency generator that you need. A generator size calculator can give you a base estimate. It is crucial to take into consideration that at startup, many electrical devices need more current. The peak power rating on the generator should be higher than your calculated need. Most experts suggest a unit that produces 4,000 watts or more for household application. To determine the size needed, total the rated watts of the appliances you will want to operate during the outage. Work with a professional generation installation service to get the most accurate size.

Have an emergency kit prepared

If you lose power, you will lose electricity, perishable foods, and even entertainment. Prepare an emergency kit ahead of time that includes items like canned foods, bottled water, candles, matches, and a few games that can be played in the dark. You can also include contact information for local needs including professional generator installations. After a generator installation, you can restore power and go back to your daily routine. Standby generators are also an option for those that do not lose power as frequently.

Power outages are very common, especially during thunderstorm season. In fact, according to federal data, the U.S. electric grid loses power 285% more often today than in 1984, when the data collection effort on blackouts began. Preparing for a potential power outage ahead of time can help you manage one. Also, consider a professional generator installation to supply you with power during an outage.