Are You Prepared for the Winter Season?

Damage to power lines and other electrical equipment brought on by freezing rain, sleet, snow, and heavy winds is the cause of the majority of power outages during the winter season. Are you prepared to handle the outage if and when it happens to you?

One of the biggest effects of losing power during a winter storm is being left without heat, which could cause more issues than simply being uncomfortably cold. The drop in temperature could also cause pipes to freeze, and eventually crack and burst, causing an array of issues in your home. Losing heat in your home is just one example of how you can be affected by a winter power outage though, you may also lose access to clean water, be cut off from medical devices that rely on electricity, or be unable to cook or warm food. Relying solely on electricity could leave you in a bind if an outage happens at your home this winter, here are our best tips to make sure you are prepared.

Consider Using Propane Powered Appliances

Utilizing propane helps you be more self-sufficient, especially during a time when electricity isn’t as reliable (i.e. during a severe winter storm.) Downed power lines are very common this time of year, and one way to not let that affect your home as much is to utilize propane where possible. A few examples are as follows.

Gas Fireplace

Having a gas fireplace or other gas-powered heating elements in your home, even if your furnace is powered by electricity, can keep your home warm in the event of a winter power outage. Finding warmth when power goes out in freezing temperatures is always a main concern, and having a gas fireplace can hopefully alleviate some of the panic that is brought on during this time.

Gas Appliances

If your home uses propane powered cooking appliances such as a stove or oven, you will be able to easily heat food and water for the duration of the electrical outage. Having resources available that don’t require heating is always smart, but being able to utilize your appliances during this time is definitely a plus.

Propane Powered Generator

Having access to a backup power source is the best thing you can do to prepare for severe winter weather. By having a propane powered generator, you won’t lose access to heat, water, or other electrical devices that are vital to you and your family.

Note: you should never use a stove to heat your home, and never use outdoor propane appliances indoors or in enclosed non-ventilated spaces. For more safety tips, visit propane.com.

Perform Regular Maintenance on Your Appliances

If you are utilizing propane appliances in your home, it’s important to perform proper maintenance on them, especially if they aren’t being used regularly. The best example of this is a generator. You typically don’t need these until you are in an emergency situation, and the last thing you want is for it not to work when you need it. Doing regular inspections and maintenance on your generator and other appliances will ensure they are functioning optimally when you need them most. For new appliances or for a routine safety inspection, contact your team at Premier.

Make Sure You Have an Adequate Supply of Propane

As we head into winter, it’s important now more than ever to ensure there is an adequate supply of propane in your tank. Propane powered appliances won’t be of any use to you if you don’t actually have the propane to power them. Schedule a fill-up before bad weather hits and make sure you’re ready for the season. .

Have a Stock of Necessary Items In Case of Emergencies

Bottled water, batteries, non-perishable food items, and warm clothing are good things to always make sure are on hand during the winter months. Power outages happen, appliances may fail, so doing a little extra prep work will ensure you’re ready for whatever happens.

The Premier Team Is Always Ready to Help

Whether we’re performing a safety inspection, filling a propane tank, or sharing our expertise on all things propane, we’re here to help our customers through even the harshest of weather. Our goal is to help you be as prepared as possible before an emergency situation occurs. Learn more about why propane may be right for you, and contact us for all your propane needs.