Reasons For Your Power Outage

Your power can go out for a variety of reasons. Here’s a rundown of the possible causes for a power outage in your home:

A faulty electrical panel

Have the other houses in your neighborhood gone dark? If not, your home’s power may have gone out due to a faulty electrical panel. Check to see if you have any tripped breakers. If you notice any loose wiring, it’s best to contact an electrician to take care of the issue.

Severe weather conditions

Power lines are vulnerable to extreme weather. Some weather conditions that can cause a power outage are:

• Wind, snow, rain, hail, or sleet storms

• Flooding

• Ice

• Heat waves

• Lightning

Trees

If your neighborhood is surrounded by large or tall trees, any of the weather conditions mentioned above can weigh them down or break branches, which in turn can damage your power lines.

Vehicle collisions

Any vehicle collision with a utility pole can damage power lines and cause a power outage in your neighborhood.

Animals

Animals as small as squirrels can cause a power outage by chewing on power lines.

How Can I Prepare For A Power Outage?

While you may not be able to prevent a power outage, there are several measures you can take to prepare for one.

Purchase a generator

If you’re worried about a potential power outage, consider purchasing a generator that can restore electricity to your home in a pinch. This a great piece of equipment to have if your power outage lasts longer than expected!

Trim your trees

As beautiful as a canopy of leaves can be, strong winds can blow them onto your power lines. It’s smart to have your trees trimmed every once in a while to prevent any broken branches from damaging any nearby lines.

Reduce Your Energy Consumption

You may be placing undue pressure on your power lines by overusing appliances or electrical equipment. Try reducing the amount of energy you consume in your home to relieve some of the burden on your power lines. An example may be using your air conditioner sparingly, only when a summer heat wave rolls in.