A Changing of Seasons...

San Antonio and South Texas is certainly hoping for a cooling season, what with the triple digits we’ve experienced this year! Rest easy folks, summertime will soon be coming to an end, the kiddos will get back into the swing of attending School again, temperatures will start to become more manageable and we’ll be heading into the fall before we know it! 

With autumn in the air and the Holidays not too far off, we should start preparing our electrical systems/ appliances

for the seasonal changes we will soon start to experience.

Temperatures will begin changing in San Antonio and South Texas, and typically we are prone to thunderstorms and cool fronts, which basically means there will be a whole new set of Electrical Safety Concerns during this time of the year.

While summer had us blasting our Air Conditioners to keep cool, it also had us utilizing more energy to do so. We can breathe a little easier knowing our energy consumption will be less for a few months, but we also have to keep in mind that soon, we’ll be decorating for the ever loved Holidays!

~ Let’s take a look at some electrical safety ideas, moving into autumn ~

1: Check your interior and exterior outlets/ receptacles:

Folks will begin decorating for Halloween, and continue right into Christmas without missing a beat! 

Plugging in those pretty lights, and in some cases large Holiday décor, can be problematic if your outlets/ receptacles aren’t working! You should check both inside as well as outside receptacles for damage before the decorating competitions begin, in case they are in need of repairs! If you are planning on plugging in a lot of holiday lights/ decor, you should also use surge protectors to help provide internal load protection. 

Tip:Any exterior outlets should be GFCI/ Weather Protected receptacles, to be up to National Electrical Code (NEC). Due to a moister environment with thunderstorms and a rise in humidity during these months, weather protected GFCI receptacles add a great layer of protection to your home and they’re up to code. 

2: Light Bulbs/ Lamps

Due to less Daytime hours in the fall, expect to use your indoor, as well as your outdoor lighting more often. Checking on your fixtures, inside and out; just to make certain they are functioning properly, so you aren’t in the dark when that time change happens. Also, in the event you use lighting timers, you’ll need to adjust the time during the fall. You may also think about stocking up on bulbs/ lamps, as you will most certainly be using your lighting more during these months, which can shorten the lifespan of a lamp or bulb.

Tip: You should always make certain you’re purchasing the correct wattage, as well as a bulb that is compatible with your fixtures, as some older fixtures may not work well with LED bulbs. 

3: Extension Cords/ Wires

This is often the best time to check the integrity of your extension cords. Check them for any cracks they may have due to weathering. Separation of the cord cap and wire, as well as to make certain they work at all. You should immediately replace any cords with signs of wear and tear, as they are most definitely a fire hazard.

Tip: You should never use an indoor rated extension cord outside, and the same rules apply for indoor use of an outdoor cord. 

3: Leaves/ Yard Clippings/ Debris

Once the Temps drop in San Antonio and South Texas, those leaves start to fall, and fast! You shouldn’t allow for fallen leaves to collect and cover your outdoor electrical items such as lighting, exterior outlets, your HVAC unit…etc. Not cleaning up leaves, clippings and other yard debris; can cause moisture to creep into your electrical system, which will definitely increase the risk of tripping your circuits; or can be a fire hazard in the event the weather is too dry. 

Tip: Mulching yard clippings and leaves is a great idea to utilize in your compost bin! You can keep your outdoor plants fed throughout the cooler months!

4: Get those Fall Yard tools ready for action:

In order to get those fallen leaves and clippings of grass out of the way, you’re going to need your leaf blower! Have a quick check on the tools you will utilize during the cooler months, and check for wear and tear. You should have them repaired if possible or replace them; before fall comes.

Tip: You should also make sure that any electrical devices used outside are in fact weatherproof. 

5: Storing your Summer Electrical equipment

During the autumn months, you probably won’t be using your electrical trimmers, clippers, electrical saws etc… as often as you do during the warmer months, so it’s good practice to properly store these items. Leaving them exposed to the elements can degrade these tools and increase the risk of damage to the actual machine, as well as the user when they are pulled out in the spring. 

Tip:You should make certain to unplug any charging stations you will not be using during the cooler seasons. It will keep them from utilizing vampire energy!

PRO TIP: Whole Home Surge Protection installed in your Service Panel will assist with any electrical surges coming into your home’s electrical system by diverting the electrical surge into the ground, rather than throughout the circuitry in your home; and into your appliances and devices. 

In 2020, the NEC made this very important safety feature, part of the electrical code for all residential dwellings. Bolt Electric can assist you with installation for your home in San Antonio, Texas. 

For more information:

 https://www.boltelectricsa.com/lighting-strikes-and-power-surges-oh-my

If you do manage to locate some damaged or non-working outlets in or around the exterior of your home, or you need some of them

upgraded to GFCI outlets, don’t hesitate to reach out to us here at Bolt Electric, we can help.

If you’re needing to have any new outlets/ receptacles installed to safely plug in

those Holiday Lights or decorations, we can assist with that as well.

Reach out to us here at Bolt Electric, the San Antonio Electricians you can trust. 

Our friendly office staff is awaiting your call. We can’t wait to work with you!

BOLT ELECTRIC, LLC

18847 REDLAND ROAD, SUITE 105

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78259

(210) 545-2658