When a Storm Hits and You Have a Power Outage

Many of us love summer rain, lightning and thunderstorms. It is one of the most fascinating acts of nature. An act so comforting and peaceful that many a person will just sit, relax and watch the rain as it showers down on a stormy summer day. Little ones often find it enjoyable to engage in outdoor activities during a rain storm. Though thunderstorms in the middle of the hot summer months can be a whole lot of fun for many, they can also wreak havoc by causing an unsuspecting power outage.

When An Outage Occurs What Should You Do?

When you find yourself without power in your home, there are a couple of important things you need to do.

  • First and foremost, you want to check outside and see if the power is out on the street, in the neighborhood or just at your house. If you notice that a large area of the neighborhood has been impacted by the storm, then don’t delay in contacting your power company and reporting the outage. When contacting your power company, you may find that they have already been alerted to the power outage and have already begun to restore the power. They may even have information immediately available as to when the power will be restored. If, upon calling out to the power company you learn that they have not been alerted, then rest assured your call will alert them that work needs to be performed to restore power as soon as possible.
  • If you determine that the power is only out at your home, then there are a couple of simple tasks you need to perform. Start by checking the circuit breaker and electrical panel in your home to see if perhaps you have tripped a breaker or even blown a fuse. This is a fairly easy task to perform, but if you are not familiar with how to resolve either one of these issues, then be sure to reach out to your local electrician.

Next, you should fill up your sinks and even the bathtub with water so, should the power be out for an extended period of time, your family will have needed water. It is also important to unplug your appliances and all those important electronic devices you own. Computers, tablets, iPads, laptops, and any other electronic systems you may have should all be unplugged because when the power is turned back on there will be a power surge that can ultimately damage your appliances and electronics. We all know how costly electronics are which is why we want to take steps necessary to ensure they are not damaged during and following a power outage.

Lastly, it is important that you do not open your refrigerator or freezer during an outage. Be aware that when you keep the doors closed you are keeping the cold air in. This allows the food in your refrigerator to stay cool for 4-5 hours and the food in the freezer to remain in good state for nearly 24 hours.

Let’s Sum It Up

We are confident that these tips should prove to be extremely helpful should you find yourself faced with no power in your home. To learn more about why a power outage occurs or what you should do during an outage, be sure to reach out to Gervais Electric, Inc. where our team of highly experienced electricians stands ready to meet your needs. Put your trust into the hands of some of the absolute best in the industry. Gervais Electric, Inc. your go to company for all your residential electrical needs and services!

LED Lights Can Save on Energy and Monthly Utility Costs

As homeowners we are constantly looking for ways to conserve energy and save on our monthly utility costs. One such way to accomplish this is by upgrading your standard home lights to LED lights. Though it may cost a bit more to have them initially installed, these state-of-the-art lights, over time, are sure to help your pocketbook when it comes time to pay those monthly utility bills.

The Benefits of LED Lights

The benefits offered by LED lights are many. They will surely pay back the cost of installation over and over again in the long term. Here are some of the benefits homeowners can enjoy:

  • The lifespan is greater than that of standard home lights – When you think about how often you find yourself changing out the light bulbs in your lamps and other fixtures, you may realize that investing in LED lights that can operate for nearly 50,000 hours is the way you need to go. The lifespan of these lights is about 10-11 years. That amounts to approximately 3-4 times a greater life expectancy than your regular incandescent home lights which means that your investment will go a very long way.
  • The energy consumption is much less – This may be the strongest reason why so many homeowners opt for LED lights. They are flat out more efficient than standard lights and can present with a reduction in your home’s electrical usage and consumption by nearly 70-75%.
  • No heat is produced – We all can confirm that putting a hand near a standard light bulb can result in feeling the heat it gives off. LED lights do not give off any heat at all and therefore do not waste energy. Additionally, without giving off heat, they add to the safety of your home and family.
  • The designs are many – Whether you are looking to install an extensive layout of lights for the interior of your home or install lighting on the exterior, there are more options available to you with these modern lights than that of standard lighting designs.
  • Eco-Friendly – When you choose to switch over to LED lights you are contributing to a cleaner environment. They are not designed with mercury that is detrimental to any landfills. They have a greater lifespan, so the need to toss them out is drastically less than that of standard lights. The demands on nearby power plants are also reduced by the energy savings offered by LED lights.

Final Thoughts

If you are a homeowner in Franklin or any of its surrounding towns and are looking for ways to upgrade your home’s lighting to save energy and money, then look to Gervais Electric, Inc. Our team of highly experienced and certified electricians is steadfast in meeting the individual needs of all our valued clients. We are on hand to answer questions, discuss concerns or to help with important decision making when it comes to the lighting in your home. To schedule a free consultation or an electrical service appointment, reach out to one of our dedicated team members today.

LED lights can help save money and energy so why not contact our team and let us help you with all your home’s lighting upgrades. Gervais Electric, Inc. and our team of experts looks forward to our every opportunity to serve you and to help not only enhance the lighting and energy savings in your home, but enhance its overall value as well. We are your trusted electricians here in the Franklin area and stand ready to meet all your electrical system needs season after season, year after year!