As summer begins to give way to fall in the Pacific Northwest, it is a good time to start thinking about something most of us would rather not deal with: storm season.
Heavy rain, strong winds, falling trees and damaged power lines can all lead to outages. Sometimes the power is back on quickly. Other times, an outage can last for hours or even days.
Recent severe weather events around the country and the world have also been an important reminder that preparation is easiest before a storm is already on the way.
So, how prepared is your home if the power goes out?
Start With the Basics
A good storm plan does not have to be complicated.
Before fall and winter weather arrives, take a few minutes to make sure your household has the essentials available, including:
- Flashlights and fresh batteries
- Charged portable battery banks
- Drinking water and nonperishable food
- Necessary medications
- A plan for pets
- Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- A way to receive weather and emergency alerts
- A plan for any household member who relies on powered medical equipment
- An understanding of how to manually operate your garage door if the power is out
Washington emergency preparedness guidance also recommends knowing how you will communicate with family members and checking on neighbors who may need additional assistance during an emergency.
Think About What in Your Home Actually Needs Power
One of the best ways to prepare for an outage is to identify what you would need to keep running if electricity were unavailable for an extended period.
For some households, that might simply mean keeping phones charged and a refrigerator cold.
For others, losing power can affect:
- Heating systems
- Well pumps
- Sump pumps
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Internet equipment
- Home offices
- Medical equipment
- Security systems
- Garage doors
- Cooking equipment
Understanding your priorities can help you decide what kind of backup-power solution makes sense for your household.
Where Does a Generator Fit Into Storm Preparation?
For homeowners who experience frequent outages or who have essential systems they do not want to lose during an outage, a generator may be worth considering.
But choosing backup power is not simply a matter of buying the biggest generator available.
The right system depends on your home’s electrical system, the equipment you want to power and how much electrical demand those items create.
A whole-home standby generator can be designed to automatically provide backup power when utility power is lost. Depending on the system selected, it may power specific essential circuits or a much larger portion of the home.
The best time to determine what you need is before the lights go out.
Generator Safety Matters
Portable generators can be useful during an outage, but they also need to be operated correctly.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends operating portable generators outdoors only, at least 20 feet away from a home or other building, with exhaust directed away from windows, doors and vents. Generators should never be operated inside a house, garage, basement, crawlspace or shed because carbon monoxide can build to dangerous levels very quickly.
Washington emergency-management guidance also emphasizes that generators connected to a home need to be properly wired.
Trying to improperly connect a portable generator directly into a home’s electrical system can create serious hazards. If you want a generator connected to household circuits, talk with a qualified electrician about the proper equipment and installation for your home.
Already Have a Generator? Don’t Wait Until the Storm to Check It
A generator that has been sitting unused for months should not be something you discover has a problem during an outage.
Before storm season, review the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations and make sure the system is ready to operate.
For permanently installed standby generators, this is also a good opportunity to confirm that the system and its electrical connections are in good condition.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends regularly checking and maintaining generators so they will operate properly when needed.
Not Every Home Needs the Same Backup-Power Solution
A generator is not automatically the right choice for every homeowner.
Some homes may only need limited emergency backup power. Others may benefit from a standby generator capable of supporting much more of the home’s electrical load.
Your electrical panel, available capacity, major appliances, fuel source and the circuits you want backed up can all affect the conversation.
That is why having your electrical system evaluated before making a decision can save a lot of guesswork.
Prepare Before the Forecast Changes
Here in Western Washington, we know fall and winter weather can change quickly.
You cannot control when the next windstorm knocks a tree into a power line.
You can control how prepared your home is when it happens.
If you have questions about backup power, generator installation or whether your home’s electrical system is ready for a generator, Bayless Electric can help you understand your options and determine what makes sense for your property.
Planning ahead means one less thing to figure out when the lights go out.
Bayless Electric
baylesselectricllc.com
206-708-3105
WA License: BAYLEEL823RC