9 Ways every Homeowner should prepare for a Power Outage

Due to weather conditions, accidents, aging power grids and so much more, power outages are becoming more common than they used to be.

Once the power goes out, you should use these tips to help you survive an electrical outage.

Turn your car into a generator

A power inverter, which turns DC current from your car into AC current for your electrical gadgets, is the next best thing to a generator when it comes to surviving a blackout. Small units can recharge your computer or phone. Larger ones can even power a fridge or power tools.

Conserve batteries

LED flashlights and lanterns have a huge advantage over incandescent models – they allow batteries to last much longer!

Purchase a backup power solution

When all the power is gone and you want to continue with your day to day activities it can be quite difficult. Off Grid has a wide range of backup power solutions, from power banks to UPS devices. If you don’t want to be inconvenienced a backup power solution is the way to go.

Save food with ice

A couple of hours without power can cost you an arm and a leg if your food in your fridge or freezer spoils. Fill freezer bags with water and keep them in the freezer to keep it colder for longer or transfer them to the fridge or a cooler.

Don’t wreck your TV

When the power comes back on, there will probably be power surges that could destroy electronics such as your TV, computer and other appliances. So the best thing to do is to unplug everything!

Don’t use candles

Flashlights produce more light and they won’t burn your house down.

Keep the fridge closed

The less you open your fridge and freezer doors, longer your food will stay cold.

Tap your geyser

It’s your built in emergency hot water supply. If you’re ever in need of hot water, open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank.

Get cash

In a power outage, it’s best to have cash on hand. Some stores may stay open, but they probably won’t be able to use their card machines. So keep emergency cash close by.

If the power goes out, sometimes you have to prepare for the worst – like not having power for a few hours. Why not plan ahead and make sure you’re prepared!

7 Simple Ways to Save Electricity in the Workplace

If we all do our bit to save electricity, we can make a positive impact on the environment, plus reduce bills! However, energy conservation at work can go a long way in reducing our collective carbon footprint, reducing toxic emissions in the atmosphere.

1. Turn off Appliances Not in Use

Never leave your computer on throughout the night, unless you have lengthy processing to do. When you step out for lunch or a break, leave the computer on standby to reduce power consumption. If the break is intended to be a longer one, turn the computer off. Before leaving for the day, check to see if most other appliances are turned off as well. But make sure you are not making trouble for someone who is staying late working.

2. Turn off Lights

When you leave for the day, make sure you turn off the lights in your cubicle or room. If there are other unoccupied spaces with lights on, turn them off as well. During the day, if there is enough light in your surroundings, turn off the lights. They may not even be making a difference in bright daylight.

3. Take the Stairs

Try to take the stairs every time you want to get to your office, especially if you have the time and if you are not on an upper floor. Avoid taking the elevator by yourself, to conserve energy wasted on multiple trips. Try to set your daily route in such a way that you get used to the manual doors, instead of the electronically operated ones.

4. Reduce Printing

Most offices have tons of wasted paper printouts. Avoid printing copies of every version of a report or project. Save copies on your computer, and only print them out when the need arises. When collecting copies from the printer, check to make sure you are not taking someone else’s printout by mistake. This will stop people from printing multiple copies unnecessarily. Use recycled paper for printing, and get into the habit of recycling everything that is no longer of use.

5. Minimize Air Conditioner Use

Avoid turning on the air conditioner or heater when the weather is relatively pleasant. Leaving the windows open will let you have some fresh air, and also have a major impact on the company’s power bills. Closed, stuffy surroundings also increase the chances of illness among people. Setting the thermostat at an optimum level during the winter will save energy and keep everyone comfortable.

6. Use Fluorescent Lights

Consider making a suggestion to your company to replace all lights with fluorescent lights. These lights provide good illumination and can help in huge savings in electricity.

7. Use the Kitchen Responsibly

Most offices are equipped with stoves, ovens, microwaves, dishwashers and refrigerators. Make sure you use these appliances efficiently. Avoid leaving the refrigerator open for longer than is necessary. Use the microwave oven instead of the gas or electric stove.

The more energy you save, the more profitable your business can be!

Off Grid provides backup power solutions that are both affordable, reliable and easy to run! When or if the power goes out, you can still continue with business and your daily activities.

Africa – A Continent in Shadows

In terms of population and land mass, Africa is the second largest continent in the world. But you wouldn’t believe that a majority of the billion people living on the continent survive everyday with little to no access to electricity. In the midst of economic, social, and geopolitical turmoil, many of the poorest nations in Africa are unable to scrounge up the money, resources, and general know-how to bring electricity to their people.

Here are some statistics and information you may not know about the quest for power in Africa:

- 79% of people living in third world African nations have no access to electricity.

- 1.5 billion (25% of the global population) people in the world have no access to electricity – they are mostly concentrated in Africa and southern Asia.

- In 11 countries in Africa, more than 90% of people go completely without electricity.

- In Burundi, Chad, Central African Republic, Liberia, Rwanda and Sierra Leone, 3 – 5 % of people have easy access to electric power.

- Africa has the lowest per capita energy use of any continent.

-  Each day, New York City consumes the same amount of electricity as all sub-Saharan African nations combined, excluding South Africa.

- African soil contains an estimated 18% of recoverable uranium.

- The two reactors in South Africa account for 5% of its energy generation.

When the power goes out, it can feel like you will have access to electricity again. Don't be left in the dark - contact Off Grid now, choose from a wide range of back up power solutions and place your order!

5 simple ways to cut your electricity bill in half

The first thing to do is evaluate how much you’re actually spending monthly on your electric bill and from there you can determine whether you feel it is necessary to cut down on your electricity use or not.

Looking for affordable, reliable backup power solutions for those unfortunate power cuts? Take a look through Off Grid's website where they have a wide range of equipment, from UPS devices to KVA systems.

• Program the Thermostat

Give the air conditioning a break during the workday. Shifting the settings to allow higher daytime temperatures could cut the average households electricity bill in half.

• Unplug

Gadgets like a cellphone charger or microwave suck energy – and generate heat – as long as they are attached to a power source. Standby power for appliances not in use typically accounts for 5% - 10% of residential electricity use.

• Wash Laundry with Cold Water

The best way to wash your clothing is to use cold water instead of hot water. Not only does it wash your clothes effectively, but you’ll save hundreds of Rands a year.

• Consider the Light Bulbs you are using

You can…
> Turn off lights you aren’t using to save.
> Turn off a single 100Watt light bulb from running constantly to save.
> Replace light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs.

• Think of Appliances you use but don’t really need

Instead of wasting gallons of water by putting a few plates in the dishwasher, hand wash them instead. Work a different look and let your hair air-dry whenever possible. Sweep your floors instead of using the vacuum. The list goes on and on. Once you start thinking of the electric gadgets you use each day, you might discover there was actually once life before them. Give it a try!

Always remember that conserving energy isn’t just saving you money, its saving the environment as well!

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!