Avoid the Danger of Winter Power Outages

Because of the incredibly cold temperatures that we experience, power outages could be very dangerous. Consequently, it is imperative that you are prepared for a power outage for the safety of you and your family. 

One of the best means of being prepared is by investing in a backup power solution from Off Grid. There are a wide variety of options including UPS devices and KVA Systems for home and business use.

However, even if you do have a backup power solution, you should always do these before an outage:

• Check flashlights and battery-powered portable radios to ensure that they are working, and you have extra batteries. A radio is an important source of weather and emergency information during a storm.

• Have sufficient heating fuel, as regular sources may be cut off. Have emergency heating equipment and fuel (a gas fireplace, wood burning stove or fireplace) so you can keep at least one room livable. Be sure the room is well ventilated.

• Make sure your home is properly insulated. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows to keep cold air out.

• Install storm windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside to provide insulation.

• To keep pipes from freezing, wrap them in insulation or layers of newspapers, covering the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture.

• Let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing.

• Know how to shut off water valves.

• If pipes freeze, remove insulation, completely open all faucets and pour hot water over the pipes, starting where they are most exposed to the cold. A hand-held hair dryer, used with caution, also works well.

• If your water supply could be affected (a well-water pump system), fill your bathtub and spare containers with water. Water in the bathtub should be used for sanitation purposes only, not as drinking water.

• Pouring a pail of water from the tub directly into the bowl can flush a toilet.

• Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored). During an outage, do not open the refrigerator or freezer door. Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and in a well-packed freezer for 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-packed).

• If you have medication that requires refrigeration, check with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage during an extended outage.

• Review the process for manually operating an electric garage door.

Despite the fact that backup power solutions are a great investment, there are some other ways to be prepared for a winter power outage for those of you not quite ready to make the leap. Check out Off Grid’s website for a wide range of backup power solutions. 

Power Surges - Cause & Effect

Power surges occur when the flow of electricity is interrupted, then started again, or when something sends electricity flowing back into the system.

Surges can range from five or ten volts when you turn on your hair dryer to thousands of volts if lightning strikes a transformer.

Internal power surges

More than half of household power surges are internal. These happen dozens of times of day, usually when devices with motors start up or shut off, diverting electricity to and from other appliances.

Refrigerators and air conditioners are the biggest culprits, but smaller devices like hair dryers and power tools can also cause problems.

External power surges

An external power surge, stemming from outside your home, is most commonly caused by a tree limb touching a power line, lightning striking utility equipment or a small animal getting into a transformer.

Surges can also occur when the power comes back on after an outage, and can even come into your home through telephone and cable TV lines.

Why worry about power surges?

Your home is filled with items susceptible to power surges. Anything containing a microprocessor is especially vulnerable - the tiny digital components are so sensitive that even a 10-volt fluctuation can disrupt proper functioning.

Microprocessors are found in hundreds of consumer items, including TVs, cordless phones, computers, microwaves, and even seemingly "low-tech" large appliances like dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerators.

Large power surges, as with a lightning strike, can cause instantaneous damage, "frying" circuits and melting plastic and metal parts. Fortunately, these types of power surges are rare.

Low-level power surges won't melt parts or blow fuses, but they can cause "electronic rust," gradually degrading internal circuitry until it ultimately fails.

Small surges won't leave any outward evidence, so you may not even be aware they're happening - even though they may occur dozens or even hundreds of times each day.

Lightning strikes are a common cause, but most power surges stem from inside your home – make sure you’re protected and get a cheap, reliable backup power device from Off Grid.

The Effects a Power Outage can have on your Computer

Do you unplug your computer during severe storms? If not, you may want to start.

It’s long been known that frequent electrical storms and power outages can damage electronic devices or full-out destroy them, and that includes computers. Anyone who claims otherwise is lying or misguided. The worst part is that power outages aren’t the only concern.

What are the risks of electrical failure? How do they impact your computer? And what can you do to protect your computer from being fried?

The electricity flowing through your home is not constant. Ideally it would be, but the reality is that electrical currents can sometimes drop in voltage and other times surge with extra power. All of these can have undesirable effects.

When power completely shuts off, it’s known as a blackout. These tend to occur due to issues beyond your control (e.g., power station disruptions, damaged electrical lines, etc.) but sometimes they can be self-inflicted (e.g., by shorting or overloading circuits).

And then there’s a similar issue called brownout, which is when your electrical voltage experiences a temporary drop without fully blacking out. If you’ve ever seen your lights dim for unknown reasons, it was probably due to a brownout. Brownouts can be intentional as a way to reduce electrical loads and prevent blackouts, though they can be unintentional as well.

On the other side of the spectrum, we’ve got the power surge, which is when an appliance receives more electricity than intended for at least three nanoseconds. Surges can be caused by a number of factors, including short circuits and electrical line malfunctions. If the increased voltage only lasts one or two nanoseconds, it’s a power spike, which is most commonly caused by lighting.

The only fool proof way to protect your computer against electrical anomalies is to unplug it completely until the danger has passed. Seriously, it has to be physically disconnected. Flipping your power switch to “off” isn’t going to cut it. This is the only method of protection with a 100 percent success rate against power outages and power surges.

That being said, some of us are probably going to ignore the storm and stay plugged in regardless. It wouldn’t be the smartest move, but definitely understandable. In that case, there are two semi-effective alternative methods.

Against power outages, you’ll want an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). This apparatus contains a backup battery that will continue to provide power to your computer even when your power goes out. Most UPS devices only last a few minutes, but that should be enough time for you to issue a proper shutdown.

UPS devices can also come equipped with surge-protected outlets. If you live in a building or location that frequently experiences outages a UPS will be a strong investment. If you need help picking one, Off Grid has a wide range to choose from.

Sudden changes in electrical voltage can cause real damage to your system and/or your hardware. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking it would never happen to you. Protect yourself early, protect yourself adequately, and don’t forget to back up your data!

10 ways to keep warm when the power goes out

Winter is steadily approaching and with that comes the rain and bad weather, so when the power goes out, having a way to keep warm is top priority.

If you rely on electricity for your heat source, then your teeth are going to be chattering and this can lead up to a very bad situation. If you know you can’t handle being without electricity on a winter’s day, plan ahead and browse through Off Grid’s range of backup power solutions.

Here are 10 ways to stay warm and cozy without electricity:

o The more body heat we can contain around us, the warmer we’ll be. Put a snug wool hat on your head that fits down over your ears. You will instantly begin to feel a lot warmer.

o Layering is your best bet. You want to make sure your bottom layer of clothing will wick away any moisture. If you sweat in cotton, the damp fabric will suck all the body heat straight out of you. A wool long sleeved shirt as your next layer will give you loads of warmth.

o Don’t forget about your toes. A pair of thick wool socks will keep your feet warm, especially when paired with a pair of lined boots. Of course if you are inside you won’t need the boots.

o Blankets are good. Wool blankets or a nice heavy quilt are even better!

o Avoid opening and closing the doors. If you do need to go outside, go through the garage or other area so that it acts as an airlock and doesn’t let the cold inside.

o Block drafts. If it’s really, really cold, you can place rolled up towels at the base of the front door or hang blankets over a drafty window.

o Use natures heat – the sun. If it is a sunny day, place your blankets in the sunlight and let them soak up the heat.

o A hot beverage to warm up your insides. There is nothing better than a bowl of hot soup and a cup of hot tea to keep your body warm. However this is only possible if you have prepared beforehand and you have hot water on hand.

o Do some exercise. Some jumping jacks and high knees will warm you up in as little as five minutes.

What do you do when its winter and you’re stuck without power? Plan ahead and you won’t have to try remember all these tips when you’re freezing and the power is out.