During winter storms, afternoon thunderstorms, and periods when power grids are overloaded, it is not at all uncommon for a power outage to occur. It is essential that you learn a few steps that will help you protect your home and the HVAC system that you have in your home so that you may remain comfortable and reduce the amount of money that you spend on repairs and replacements. In this guide, we will outline simple steps that will keep your residence and your heating and cooling system protected the next time you lose power.
1. Purchase Battery-Operated Products
The good news is, there are many battery-operated products that you may purchase that will help if your power goes out. These include phone charging systems, flashlights, fans, weather radios, heaters, radios, and candles. These will help provide emergency lighting, help you maintain a comfortable temperature in the home, and help you track events that are specific to your area so that you know what is happening with the weather, power restoration methods, and you have a method of communicating.
2. Ice and ice Packs
If you have a freezer in the home that protects your food, you should consider lining the bottom and sides with water-filled bottles and freezing them. Not only will this help protect items that are in the freezer so that they do not go bad as fast, but once the bottles thaw, the water may be used to drink or clean with. You should also have ice on hand and ice packs. These may be kept in a freezer, in a refrigerator to keep items contained inside cool for longer and may also be placed in a cooler with items that you must keep protected from the heat – such as insulin and items that are similar in nature. In the summer months, if you have a power outage, you may make a homemade cooling system from ice, a Styrofoam cooler, and a few other basic supplies.
3. Circuit Breaker
If you have a power outage, you should turn off the HVAC system of your home at the circuit breaker and at the thermostat, too. This way, when the power is restored, a sudden surge is not sent to the HVAC system that can damage it.
4. Inspection and Tune Up
In order to ensure that your home’s HVAC system is in good working order, you should have a complete inspection and a tune up at least once every six months. You cannot predict a power outage, but you can schedule an inspection and a tune-up to ensure that your HVAC system is operating as well as possible all year long.
5. Install surge Protector
You should contact a licensed electrician and have the professional install a surge protector specifically for the HVAC system in your home as this will protect the unit against surges that have the potential to render the system inoperable.
6. Install a Backup Generator
If you commonly experience power outages in your area, you should consider having a backup generator installed that will provide power to your HVAC system during an outage and it will help to prevent damage that may occur when a power outage strikes.
7. Unplug Appliances
It is advised that you unplug any and all appliances that are not in use. This is especially true if you have an outage. Just go through the home and unplug any that you have plugged in.
8. Clean Your HVAC System
You should regularly clean the HVAC system of your home. Pay special attention to the coils and the filters in order to prevent the accumulation of dust and debris that could clog and negatively impact the functionality of your system.
9. Delay in Starting the HVAC System
Once a power outage has occurred, you should not immediately turn your HVAC system back on. This will help you avoid putting too much of a strain on the electrical system of your home. Turn on the circuit breaker on after about a half hour after power is restored. Then, turn on the thermostat to the HVAC system.
10. Tripped Circuit Breakers
You should check the circuit breakers in your breaker box to see if any have tripped. If they have, turn them all the way off and then turn them back to the on positions.
11. Re-apply Caulking
Regularly, you should replace the caulking around the doors and windows throughout the home. This is especially important if the caulking is missing, cracked, and damaged. You should inspect this caulking at least once a year. The best type of caulking to use in these areas is the rubberized type as it is known to last the longest. It is flexible and it is capable of moving with the process of natural expansion and the contractions that occur within the home.
12. Weatherstripping
The weather stripping and the seal that is located on the doors and the windows of your home should be replaced at least once a year. This will help to prevent outdoor temperatures from making their way inside of your home which will help keep the indoor areas more comfortable when a power outage occurs.
13. Door Sweeps
You should install a door sweep on the bottom of each of the exterior doors of your home. Be certain that the sweep is flush with the bevel associated with the threshold associated with the door. The weep brush should be installed in such a way that it does not drag along the floor.
14. Install Film on Your Windows
On each of the windows of the home, you should install film on the windows. This will help in keeping the indoor areas of the home more comfortable when the power goes out.
15. Double-Paned Windows
The next way to make your home more tolerable during a power outage is to have replacement windows installed throughout the home. These have two panes of glass a specially installed argon gas that adds an insulating layer to the home.
16. Seal Recessed Lights
When you have recessed lights installed in your home, holes are cut into the ceiling that creates a penetration into the attic. The attic is considered a cold zone. The temperature within the attic of the home should be the same as the air that is outside. You should install a vapor barrier within the attic and you should seal recessed lights. It is advised that you have a licensed electrician do this type of work to prevent accidental electrical shock and/or a fire from developing.
17. Seal Crawlspaces and Basement
It is a known fact that crawlspaces and basements may be a big source for drafts in the home and for air leakage. You should seal up cracks, holes, and other spaces that could cause the floors of your home to become cold and you should do what you are able to do to reduce any drafts in your home. Weather seals, and specially-designed foams may help in sealing and insulating crawlspaces and basements.
18. Insulate Electrical Boxes
You should insulate the electrical boxes that are located on walls in your home. These may allow air to seep through into the home. If your home becomes drafty, you will quickly discover that your energy bills increase dramatically.
How to Check for Drafts in the House
If you are feeling outdoor air on the inside of your house, you should take the following steps in order to check for drafts in the house:
- Light up a candle or a tick of incense and walk around the house to see if you see any movement in the flame or the smoke.
- Use your eyes and inspect the home for cracks, gaps, holes, and other areas where outdoor temperatures may make their way inside of your home.
- You may use a thermal leak detector to find temperature fluctuations throughout the home – such as around windows, around the bottom of doors, and in the attic and basement.
- You may also get an energy audit. Utility companies typically offer these for free or at a very low cost. These audits help to ensure that there are no trouble spots where outdoor temperatures are making their way indoors.
Contact Us Today
We here at Reynolds Plumbing can help you keep your HVAC system working optimally all year long. We also specialize in home plumbing systems. If you would like an inspection or a tune-up on your HVAC system, contact us today for more information or to set up an appointment. We have been serving Wayne County, Indiana for over 40 years now. We offer both commercial services and residential services. Our specialties are plumbing, heating, and air. Our top clients include Medfit, Gallo’s, Stuckeys, Reid Hospital, Berry Plastics, and many more. We are licensed, insured, and are with the Better Business Bureau for trust and have no complaints. Contact us now at: 765-966-0994
