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What to Do When the Power Goes Out

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What to Do When the Power Goes Out

Your power can go out at any time. Despite the reliability of modern infrastructure, severe weather, wear and damage can all cause power outages at your home. You must be prepared for an outage to ensure you and your family can stay safe and calm during an emergency. 

Use the guide below to create an effective response plan so you are ready the next time you experience a blackout. 

What Is a Power Outage?

An outage is a temporary loss of electrical power, and it occurs when something disrupts the power supply to your home.

Storms are among the most common causes of power outages. Downed trees, excessive rain and wind can damage power lines and infrastructure, interrupting the power delivery to one or many homes. Animals can also occasionally chew through a property’s electrical system, causing select outages. Additionally, even wear can take its toll on your electricity, leaving you in the dark. 

A power outage means your lights, appliances and heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system cannot work. Going without your home’s essential systems can be uncomfortable and even dangerous. United States residents experienced an average of five and a half hours of power interruptions in 2022, and being prepared for longer periods is key.

What to Do When the Power Goes Out

If your electricity went out in the past, you may have panicked. However, it’s important to stay calm. Short power outages are usually fixed within 12 hours, while more extended outages can last a day to a week. Knowing what to do when the power is out can help you stay comfortable while you wait for electricity to be restored. 

Use these tips to stay relaxed and safe when you lose power:

  1. Check your power: First, make sure your power is out by checking your breaker for trips. In some cases, it’s just a matter of flipping it off and on again. If it’s not the breaker, look outside for other clues. Are nearby homes also dark? Are the streetlights out? If it looks like other power sources are down, it could be an outage. 
  2. Call your utility provider: After you’ve confirmed your power outage, report it to your utility provider. Use your mobile phone and let the company know your electricity is out. If your smartphone still connects to offline data, you can often use the provider’s website for outage alerts. 
  3. Avoid appliances: If you were using appliances before the outage, turn them off or unplug them to protect them from power surges. Televisions, gaming systems and other sensitive equipment might get damaged when the power returns. Investing in surge protectors that absorb excess voltage can help you safeguard your appliances and devices in case of an outage. 
  4. Close your refrigerator: Avoid opening your refrigerator or freezer for as long as possible. Opening these units lets the cold air escape, making your food spoil faster. The longer you can keep them close, the colder they’ll stay, protecting your fresh food. 
  5. Stay together: Keep everyone in the same room or close by. Being together can help everyone stay warm in the winter and ensure you can communicate important information quickly or provide care when needed. Use blankets and layers to stay warm until the heat comes back on. 

How to Protect Yourself During a Power Outage

how to protect yourself during a power outage

Now that you know what to do when the power goes out, let’s dive into things to prepare before an event happens. Staying ready can improve your safety during an outage. With the right supplies, you can ride out the blackout until more information arrives or the power comes back on. 

Prepare for power outages with these tips: 

  1. Have a radio: Keep a radio and extra batteries in your home to listen to emergency broadcasts when you lose power. You can stay updated without running down your phone battery. 
  2. Keep flashlights: Have flashlights and extra batteries ready. Avoid lighting candles during a power outage — letting candles burn increases your risk of a fire hazard. Additionally, never rely on your phone for light. You need to conserve your phone batteries to receive updates about the power situation. Flashlights are portable and easy to keep illuminated during emergencies. 
  3. Stock water and non-perishable food: Ensure you have an emergency water and food supply. You won’t be able to cook food or access the fridge if the power goes out. Have canned food and other non-perishables handy to eat during an outage. 
  4. Have backup power: If you have the space, invest in a backup generator. These should be located outside your house for safety. Generators can power up your essential devices and appliances during emergencies. Consider if you need backup power solutions to preserve refrigerated medications or electrically-powered medical devices. Additionally, keep small power banks charged up to recharge your phones.
  5. Avoid gas: Keep your gas cookers and ovens off during power outages. Using gas appliances during power outages can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Make sure your carbon monoxide detectors work and have backup batteries for these systems.
  6. Write down contacts: Keep a paper list of all your important and emergency contacts. This could include friends, family, work or other emergency contacts. With a paper list, you’ll have access to essential phone information, even if your landline is down. When you get to a phone with power, you can contact whoever you need to.

After a Power Outage

Once you’ve got your power again, check over your home for any problems. Follow these steps:

  1. Look for damage: Look for water leaks or damaged wires and outlets. These can create safety issues you’ll need to call a professional to fix.
  2. Turn on appliances: Turn on your appliances one at a time to avoid circuit overloads. 
  3. Clear fridge: Remove any spoiled food from your fridge. If you’re unsure about an item’s safety, throw it out to be cautious. 
  4. Reset devices: Reset any clocks on microwaves or alarm clocks to get everything on time again. 
  5. Restock supplies: Restock any batteries, food, water and other emergency supplies you used. You want to have everything you need in case there’s another outage. 

Looking for an Expert? Contact Zimmerman!

When your power goes out, having an expert team on speed dial is essential. Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning offers high-quality electrical services and backup generator installations in Central PA. 

Our licensed technicians are skilled in everything from troubleshooting electrical issues to upgrading electrical panels. With decades of experience and excellent warranties, you can trust us to keep your electrical systems in top condition. 

Don’t wait for the next power outage to leave you in the dark — contact Zimmerman for electrical services today! 

How to Prevent Power Surges

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How to Prevent Power Surges in Homes

Electricity powers modern living, from how you wake up in the morning to how you go to sleep. To protect your home, you must keep your electrical systems well-maintained and reinforced against mishaps. This guide explains what a power surge is, why it happens and how you can safeguard your property from electrical damage.

What Is an Electrical or Power Surge?

A power surge happens when the potential electrical energy or voltage (V) in an electrical system suddenly spikes beyond its normal range. In the United States, most outlets are designed to handle 110 to 120 volts of electricity, so surges that push over 120 volts through your appliances can cause significant damage.

What Causes Power Surges?

Electric surges happen for several reasons, including:

  • Energy-intensive appliances: When appliances that require a lot of electricity, such as washers, dryers and refrigerators, either turn on or switch to a more energy-intensive mode, they can trigger small power surges.
  • Disrupted power lines: If the wires connecting your property to the grid become damaged or accidentally connect with external power sources, they can send high-voltage bursts through your wiring.
  • Faulty wiring: Age, wear and tear, improper installation, structural damage and even rodents can cause wires to fray or lose insulation, making them more susceptible to electrical surges.
  • Short circuits: If an exposed live wire accidentally touches a neutral or ground wire, the electric current skips its normal path and delivers too much electricity to a single point.
  • Power outages: If your home loses and then promptly regains power from the utility company, your electrical system could experience a voltage spike through the municipal power lines or from all your appliances turning back on simultaneously.
  • Electrical storms: Direct lightning strikes or indirect strikes in your general area can send electricity through your wiring, plumbing or other conductive paths, overloading your system.

What Are the Signs of a Power Surge?

When electricity surges in your home, you’ll likely experience one or more of the following signs:

  • Blown fuses
  • Flickering lights
  • Briefly losing power
  • Tripped circuit breakers
  • The smell of burning plastic
  • Devices beeping or resetting

If you see burn marks, melting or smoke coming from an outlet after an electrical surge, locate the source and cut power to that area on your circuit breaker. If there is an active fire on your property, call the fire department. You should also call a professional electrician to inspect and fix the electrical problem.

Are Power Surges Common?

Small power surges can happen without you even knowing, sometimes several times a day. The frequency of power surges in your home depends on your area’s electrical grid reliability, the age and condition of your appliances, the weather, and the quality of your electrical system.

What Kind of Damage Can Electric Surges Cause?

graphic about the different types of damage electric surges can cause

Appliances and fixtures are only designed to handle moderate voltage levels. When a power surge happens, even one too small to notice, your plugged-in appliances pay the price. Larger electrical surges can compromise the entire building’s electric system, leading to a full-blown power outage. Some of the damage that you can expect from power surges includes:

  • Fire hazards: When malfunctioning electrics make too much heat, they can start fires or even ignite explosions if they’re near combustible gases.
  • Appliance damage: Too many volts flowing through your appliances’ circuits can overload them, overheat them or break them completely.
  • Data loss or corruption: If your computer or console is connected to an outlet during a surge, you may lose valuable information through hardware damage or an abrupt shutdown.
  • Safety risks: Power surges can increase your risk of electrocution if you’re using a device during the voltage spike. Surges can also shut off or even break critical medical devices like ventilators.
  • Shorter device life span: Even if your appliance doesn’t immediately break during a power surge, repeated small surges can accelerate wear and tear and shorten its life span.

How Do You Prevent Power Surges?

While your home will always be at risk of power surges from inside and outside your property, you can protect your wiring and appliances from their harmful effects. These five power surge prevention tips will help you save money on replacing appliances and repairing damaged wiring. They’ll also help keep you and your loved ones safe.

1. Unplug Appliances Before Electrical Storms

If you know an electrical storm is approaching, unplug all non-essential electrical appliances before the storm begins. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), doing this before and not during the storm is crucial for safety reasons. Only plug your appliances back in once the lightning has completely stopped, and don’t turn them all on at the same time.

2. Use Energy-Efficient, Updated Appliances

Older appliances use more electricity to do the same job, putting unnecessary pressure on your wiring when switching on and off and hiking up your electricity bill. Newer, energy-efficient appliances usually have surge protection mechanisms and protective insulation built into their circuitry, helping them withstand power surges for longer. Consider replacing your worn refrigerators, washers, dryers and air conditioning systems with newer, more efficient, better-protected technology.

3. Maintain Your Home’s Electric

All electrical systems experience wear and tear over time, and decades-old components may need to be replaced with modern, safe alternatives to support the energy demands of 21st-century living. With regular maintenance by professional electricians, you can ensure that your internal wiring and appliances run safely and efficiently.

4. Get Surge Protectors for Appliances

You can buy individual surge protectors for devices in your home to protect them from voltage spikes. Surge protectors only protect the appliances directly plugged into them. They’re handy for only a few electronic devices and are relatively cost-effective. Installing dedicated surge protectors on heating and cooling equipment is possible and recommended to protect your investment. If you want to protect your outlets and wiring as well, consider whole-house surge protection instead.

5. Install Whole-House Surge Protectors

Modern whole-house surge protection prevents voltage spikes from damaging all appliances, wiring and outlets in your home connected to the electrical panel. A skilled electrician will install the surge protection device directly into the electrical panel, providing a much higher level of safety. Whole-house surge protection is an excellent investment and a far more convenient solution than buying dozens of power strips for every room. It will also add value to your home.

Protect Your Home From Power Surges — Contact Zimmerman!

If you’re located in Pennsylvania and want to keep your property, appliances and loved ones safe from power surges, contact Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning for whole-house surge protection installation and maintenance. Zimmerman has been recognized as Harrisburg Magazine’s “Simply the Best” award because of our dedication to delivering exceptional quality work with outstanding customer service every time. Choose safety — get in touch for a free quote today!

contact zimmerman to prevent your home from power surges

Importance of Residential Electrical Maintenance

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Regular electrical maintenance and inspections help keep your home’s electrical systems working correctly and safely. When you schedule professional maintenance and inspection service, you can keep your energy bills in-check and ensure your appliances work as intended. You also identify common electrical problems and safeguard your home and family from dangers.

Keep reading to learn the benefits of proactive maintenance and how it can keep your electrical systems working smoothly.

What Does an Electrical Inspection Involve?

Your home’s electrical system consists of numerous components that must work together for optimal safety and performance. During an electrical inspection appointment, professionals will review these parts and make necessary changes for the health of your electrical infrastructure. Here’s what you can expect during the electrical inspection process: 

  • Identification: Electricians will first visually inspect your electrical system for damage, signs of wear or faulty connections. They’ll also identify any hidden issues or potential problems that might not be visible to the untrained eye.
  • Tightening connections: Loose electrical elements can lead to power disruptions and overheating. Professionals will tighten these connections and ensure everything runs safely before attempting repairs or modifications.
  • Testing and calibration: Professionals will verify your electrical equipment functions properly by testing circuit breakers, outlets and switches. They will review devices like surge protectors to ensure optimal performance.
  • Troubleshooting: During an electrical inspection, issues may be resolved such as outlets that are not working, overloaded circuits, or higher than normal electric bills. The electrician can provide recommended improvements to improve efficiency and safety of the home. 
  • Replacing or upgrading components: With evolving advancements and electrical code changes, your residential electrical system can become outdated over time. Technicians may be able to upgrade or replace outdated components like minor wiring, switches or outlets during a routine inspection.

In the event of safety or manufacturer issues, professionals will explain the causes of failure and provide you with an estimate before making repairs.

Advantages of Electrical Maintenance 

advantages of electrical maintenance

Electrical maintenance plays an important role in your home’s safety and energy efficiency. Plus, regular inspections and maintenance can keep your equipment lasting longer. Here are the primary benefits of maintenance:

May Prevent Costly Issues 

Electrical maintenance may help to identify and potentially prevent common electrical issues. Making repairs early might resolve costly issues or damage to your home. 

Many electrical components are invisible, making it difficult for homeowners to identify issues. Experienced electricians have the knowledge and training to assess the electrical system and spot small details like wires, switches or light fixtures that aren’t operating as they should. They can provide solutions to make it right.

This proactive approach allows timely repairs or replacements, minimizing safety concerns.

Enhanced Energy Efficiency

Regular electrical inspections can identify appliances using too much electricity or overloaded circuits in your home which can lead to repairs that reduce electrical consumption.    

Ensure Appliance Safety

A primary goal of an electrical inspection is ensuring your home and family’s safety. During inspections, professionals will assess potential hazards like loose connections, faulty wiring or outdated components. This way, they can make repairs or upgrades that safeguard your electrical equipment and appliances and protect your home from fire risks.

Surge protection devices and other upgrades, can help safeguard your equipment from voltage spikes and electrical disturbances. They also ensure your appliances work as efficiently as they should, protecting your investments.

Extend System Life Span

The best way to keep your residential electrical system running optimally for an extended time is by keeping up with regular maintenance. Just like your car or your HVAC system, regular maintenance keeps critical components in good condition to serve your home’s electrical needs for a long time.

Professional maintenance and inspection help extend your equipment’s life span. Properly maintained electrical systems operate more efficiently and experience fewer breakdowns — lowering the chances of costly upgrades and early replacements.

Trust Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning 

Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is a family-owned company focused on providing the best possible work for every job. When you schedule residential electrical maintenance with us, our certified electricians will review your home’s electrical systems and provide valuable insights. We’ll also recommend steps you can take to keep everything working smoothly.

Here are the advantages of scheduling residential electrical services with us:

Expertise

Zimmerman maintains an unwavering commitment to delivering excellence in our electrical services. Our company prides itself on providing continuous, ongoing trainings for all of our technicians and staff. We’re also members of professional trade organizations as well as maintaining manufacturer certifications. Our expert solutions can help ensure your home’s electrical safety and efficiency. 

Reliability

Our warehouse and fleet are equipped with genuine manufacturer parts and equipment to quickly meet service needs. We ensure timely reminders for appointments and communicate when our technicians are in route to your location. Additionally, we offer around-the-clock emergency technical support every day of the year.

One-Year Guarantee

At a minimum we provide a 1-year guarantee on all of our work. We’re proud of what we do and confident in standing behind our services. Customers have the peace of mind knowing that we’ll uphold manufacturer warranties for them; if a part is faulty we’ll make every effort to correct the issue. 

Superior Service

We provide superior customer service. We show transparency with upfront pricing — what we quote is what our customers can expect to pay. If we can, we’ll offer various solutions when possible and go the extra mile for our clients. We’re greatly appreciative to our devoted customers who continually recommend and support us by voting us Harrisburg Magazine’s “Simply the Best” or “Readers’ Choice” and a Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite.  

Begin Your Journey Toward a Safer Electrical System

Routine maintenance and inspections helps keep your electrical system working smoothly. Commit to your home’s safety and energy efficiency by scheduling residential electrical services with our team at Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. 

We’ll keep your equipment on track with friendly maintenance reminders, inspections and convenient scheduling. Upon completing maintenance, we’ll discuss your system, provide recommendations and answer all of your questions. 

Contact us for an electrical inspection today.

begin journey toward a safer electrical system

Choosing the Right EV Charger

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Electric vehicles (EVs) are excellent choices for anyone who wants to invest in an alternative fuel source. They run on battery power, helping you to reduce your daily fossil fuel use and costs. Along with cutting your fuel costs, EVs can help you save thousands of dollars in maintenance savings during your vehicle’s life. If you have an electric vehicle, you’ll need a good EV charger to help keep it running. Let’s take a look at EV chargers to help you pick the best one for the job

Understanding the Basics of EV Charging

EV charging is essential for keeping your vehicle moving. Electric vehicles need the power gained from charging to run correctly, just like your phone. It’s important to get the right charger for your needs so you can use your EV whenever you need to. Essentially, an EV charger takes electricity from a source like your home and replenishes your car’s battery with that electricity. Once the battery has enough charge, you can drive the car. Different chargers let you charge faster, while others offer smart charging features to help you save money.

EV Charger Types

Electric vehicles have different charger types to support the charging speeds and capabilities of each vehicle. Each of the three charger types works slightly differently, allowing you to get a charger that fits your needs. Knowing more about these three charger types can help you understand how your EV charges:

  • Level 1: This is the most basic charging level. It uses 120 volts, the standard amount from a household outlet. Level 1 chargers are convenient for charging overnight at home, but they take several hours to fully charge your vehicle.
  • Level 2: Level 2 chargers use a 240-volt outlet, which delivers a faster charging experience. They’re great choices for home or public charging stations since they’re faster than Level 1 chargers.
  • DC fast chargers: Also called Level 3 chargers, direct current (DC) chargers are the fastest EV charging options. Since they use DC instead of alternating current (AC), they can charge your EV extremely quickly. You’ll usually see these in public charging stations or near highways.

Smart Charging Features to Look For

graphic that says "smart charging features are a helpful way to boost your EV charger's convenience"

Smart charging features are a helpful way to boost your EV charger’s convenience. They can also help keep your costs down, maximizing your investment. If you’re in the market for a new EV charger, here are some features to look out for:

  • Scheduling: Smart EV chargers let you schedule charging sessions. During off-peak hours, when electricity may be cheaper since there’s less demand. You can set your charger to charger during off-peak hours like overnight, weekends, holidays and midday. With this feature, you’ll save on electricity costs and reduce strain on the grid during peak use hours. Get an EV charger with scheduling for convenient charging at a lower rate.
  • Monitoring: Smart chargers can also provide you with real-time charging monitoring. This feature lets you track charging status, energy use and battery health. Knowing this information can help you charge more effectively and let you know when your battery health is declining so you can prepare for a replacement.
  • Remote control: This feature maximizes your charging convenience. Use remote control functions to stop, start and adjust your charging sessions from anywhere. Phone apps can connect to your charging station, letting you manage your charging without needing to be at home. With this, you can adjust your charging schedules when the unexpected happens.
  • Compatibility: Look for smart chargers that are compatible with home energy management systems. With integrated chargers, you can easily coordinate all your energy use and prioritize EV charging when needed.

Government Incentives and Rebates for Home EV Charging Stations

You can seek out government incentives and rebates to help make your EV charger more affordable. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has brought back the federal EV charger tax credit. If you install an EV charger, you might be eligible to get 30% of that cost back, up to $1,000. This credit helps you get back money for your investment in an electric vehicle.

While that’s the only current federal tax credit for EV chargers, you can look at your state’s programs to see if you can get additional assistance for purchasing an EV or installing an EV charger. Pennsylvania offers rebates for purchasing an electric vehicle, helping decrease the cost for your household. Explore your state’s opportunities to see if you can get more incentives for your EV charger, making it more cost-effective.

EV Charging Installation and Maintenance

graphic that says "it's important to get your ev charger installation and maintenance just right"

It’s important to get your EV charger installation and maintenance just right. With the right installation and care, you can keep your EV charger working properly and safely, protecting your home and family. You’ll go through several steps with EV installation, but the most critical step is getting a qualified professional. You always want professional electrician services for the installation of your EV charger. Electrical installations must follow specific rules and regulations to protect you from harm. With a professional installation, you can be sure your EV charger is safe and effective.

Once you’ve gotten your professional installation, you’ll need to maintain your EV charger. Maintenance is the backbone of EV charger life spans. It helps you catch problems early, prevent safety issues and avoid expensive repairs. If you want to keep your charger working well for years, follow these maintenance steps:

  1. Visually inspect: Regularly check over your EV charger to find any potential problems. Inspect your charger for corrosion, damage or wear and look at mounting hardware, connectors and cables. If you spot any problems, contact a professional for assistance.
  2. Clean: You’ll need to clean your EV charger regularly to help prevent debris, dirt and moisture from building up. If there’s too much moisture and debris, you’ll see charging interference. Keep all the cables, connectors and components clean for effective and safe charging.
  3. Install software updates: If your charging station needs software updates, stay on top of them. Ensure your software stays up-to-date to improve security and function.
  4. Use professionals: Use a professional company for maintenance and service on your EV charger. These services help you keep your system safe and working well. Professionals can spot problems early, correct them and perform essential maintenance to keep your system working for its full life span.

Choose Zimmerman for Your Electrical Needs

If you’re looking for unmatched electrical services backed by reliability, expertise and a commitment to customer service, choose Zimmerman Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. As a trusted family-owned business with decades of experience, we pride ourselves on delivering the highest quality service with every job. Our team of service professionals are ready to handle all your electrical needs. Our dedication to customer satisfaction means we work hard to get the job done right.

Enjoy our minimum one-year guarantee on purchased and installed equipment. Whether you need electrical repairs, upgrades or installation, we’ve got you covered. Contact us online today for expert service!

Why Are My Electric Bills So High in the Winter

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Utility costs can soar when the temperature dips, especially for homes whose primary heat source is electric. A typical home’s biggest energy consumer is the HVAC system then followed by the water heater. Compound that with a high cost for electric, heating a home and water can result in a shocking (pun intended) bill during […]

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Don’t be Shocked; Information You Need to Know about Your Electric

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We often don’t think about the electricity flowing throughout our homes, yet we rely on it more than ever.  We simply expect it to work when we push a button or flip a switch.  Is your home safe and up to code?  Are your appliances and sensitive electronics protected?  Are you prepared if your power goes […]

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