Make sure your home electrical system is ready for winter before the coldest weather arrives.
As we move into December, the temperatures will only keep getting lower for the next few months. The cold temperatures and ice and snow of winter can potentially wreak havoc on your home electrical system. If you are concerned about staying warm and safe during the winter, read on for five tips on making sure that your electrical system is ready for winter. These tips will help you use home appliances safely and know what to do during risky situations. If you need any assistance in inspecting your home electrical system, installing new systems, or more, you can contact your Maryland electrician at TriStar Electric.
Properly Label Your Circuit Breaker
If an unexpected electrical problem arises, it’s critical to have your circuit breakers labeled correctly. These labels help you understand quickly what may have caused the problem and address it as soon as possible. If your breaker box is located outside, labeling is crucial as the darkness and cold of winter make it even more challenging to navigate a mislabeled or unlabeled electrical panel.
Understand Your Electrical System’s Limits
During winter, many families hang festive and multi-colored lights on their homes. This can be a great way to brighten your house for the holidays, but these lights draw significant amounts of power. If you have any doubts about whether your electrical system is ready for winter and the power of your string lights, we suggest consulting a licensed electrician. We can help you determine whether your display is well-suited for your electrical system or what you can do to make it safe.
Use Space Heaters Sparingly
Some rooms in your home may need an occasional boost of warmth. If you use a space heater, it is essential to consider the limits of each room’s electrical supply. A normal-sized space heater can draw a significant amount of available power. People are not advised to run a space heater in an unoccupied room or use more than one on a single circuit.
If you push your home’s electrical grid past its limits by overusing or misusing space heaters, overloaded circuits, high electrical bills, and fires can all result.
Be Ready for a Power Outage
Power outages can be caused by downed power lines or other strong winter weather events. Whatever the cause of the outage, we always recommend being prepared for an outage, especially during winter. Even if you believe your home electrical system is ready for winter, you should have a basic outage kit on hand that includes flashlights and extra batteries.
Depending on your family’s needs, you will need other items in your kit, including medications, sleeping bags, battery-powered radios, snacks, water, first aid supplies, and more. You don’t want to be caught in a power outage during winter, but if it happens, you don’t want to be without the supplies you need to stay warm and safe until power returns.
For ALL of Your Residential or Commercial Electrical Needs, Call TriStar Electric!
No matter the job, big or small, the professionals at TriStar Electric will be happy to discuss your project and answer any questions or concerns you may have. We offer free in-home consultations, plus an after-hours and emergency phone line for advice or service!
If you have any questions about our electrical repairs or upgrades, please contact TriStar Electric, Maryland’s premier residential and commercial electrician, by calling 410-799-5791 or 301-384-8880. Or, you can fill out the contact form on our website.
Are you looking for a quality electrician in Maryland, Washington DC, Southern Pennsylvania, or Northern Virginia? Take a look at TriStar Electric’s online reviews and ratings on Angie’s List, Yelp, Google, Facebook, Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland, and Better Business Bureau Greater Mid-Atlantic. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube!