Is your home winter ready?

The San Antonio and South Texas area isn’t very well known for its crazy winter weather

unless we’re discussing February of 2021 when most of the State experienced a lot snow, ice, and power outages for about a week.

Typically here in South Texas we experience cold, wet weather, and often a bit of ice IF the temperatures get low enough.

Even still, there is an importance to making certain your home is up to electrical, especially during the winter months

no matter what kind of winter weather you experience. 

Let’s take a look at some ideas for Winterizing your Home for electrical safety, before the cold arrives.

1: Check your interior and exterior Outlets/ Receptacles:

Outlets/ Receptacles can become worn over time and can be quite troublesome when they aren’t working as intended, but despite being a non-working plug in, they can still pose a safety hazard. Having an experienced electrician come out to assist with repairs would truly be a valuable benefit.

Another consideration while you have your electrician out is, if you’re going to be decorating for the Holidays and are planning on using extension cords to access power for all those beautiful decorations you have, you might think about having them add some additional Outlets/ Receptacles for you. Proper outlets just provide a layer of safety for plugging in that extension cords do not provide. 

Trustworthy Tip:

Did you know that roughly 3,300 home fires originate due to extension cords each year in the United States? Fires can cause significant damage to your home and can be life-threatening.

2: Inspect for any potential water leaks around electrical items/ appliances:

It goes without saying that water and electricity can be a very dangerous combination. Wet weather, the declining Temperatures, or even melting ice can cause water leaks that could affect your home’s electrical panels or outlets, both interior as well as exterior.

You can winterize your home by inspecting any equipment that could cause potential leaking, such as your water heater, refrigerators, and even larger freezers, just to make certain they are in fact; working properly, and not compromised.

Trustworthy Tip:

Make sure your house gutters are cleaned of debris to prevent rainwater from backing up and coming into your home. You might also want to check the water pressure for your residence while you’re at it, and make sure you have the proper coverings for your pipes in anticipation of the colder days. High water pressure can cause pipes to rupture and split.

3. Overgrown Tree Limbs:

While you’re outside checking those gutters, and plug ins, you may want to look around your home’s perimeter, as well as your power lines for any overgrown tree limbs. Unruly Tree Limbs can be a contributing factor to downed power lines as a result of high winds or ice. In the event trees are around your power lines, try reaching out to your electrical provider for assistance with trimming those limbs.

Trustworthy Tip: In the event you do come across a downed power line, stay as far away as possible!

3. Certified electronics and electrical equipment:

When purchasing electrical equipment or electronics, you really should only purchase NRTL-certified products that are certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. NRTL certified products must conform to certain safety standards. Note that CE marks are not the same as a NRTL certification. CE labeled products may not have been tested by a third party.

Trustworthy Tip: You may spend more on the front end by purchasing NRTL-certified products, but you always get what you paid for, and the investment is worth it for safety purposes alone.

4: Test your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors:

It’s always good to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors each month to ensure they’re working properly, as well as to replace the batteries at least once each year, but are you certain you have the correct amount of detectors according to the current NEC electrical code?

In the event you do require replacements or additional detectors, you should contact a licensed electrician for installation of new detectors; as well as advice on selection and placement.

Trustworthy Tip: According to the U.S. Fire Administration, nearly 30% percent of house fires occur during winter months, so make sure to change out those batteries and test all of your detectors.

5. Space Heater Safety:

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 15% of Residential house fires are caused by heating equipment, space heaters being the biggest offender. If you choose to use a space heater in your home, be sure to follow the guidelines for space heater usage.

Space Heaters should always be used on a dry, flat surface; at least three feet from anything flammable, such as drapes, furniture or bedding. If you're using a space heater in a workshop or garage setting, be especially mindful of flammable items, such as paint, gas cans, or even matches.

You always want to make certain Space heaters are plugged directly into an Outlet or Surge Protector; and always make certain to never leave a space heater unattended while in use.

Trustworthy Tip: Never plug your space heater into an extension cord and never use a space heater that has a torn or damaged cord.

6. Surge Protection measures:

During these colder months, extra space heaters or other appliances and/ or devices; can place a strain on your electrical system and cause breakers to trip. For an extra layer of protection, you may want to have a proper surge protector for each added appliance that plugs into an outlet.

You may also want to consult a professional electrician about installing Whole Home Surge Protector(s). This type of Protection is hard wired into your main electrical panel and can protect your home on a much larger scale, by redirecting any power surges into the ground, instead of throughout your home’s circuitry.

Trustworthy Tip: Whole Home Surge Protection protects your home from the powerful surges and not so powerful surges that can damage the intricate circuitry to most of the newer appliances of today. It was introduced to the NEC Electrical Code, for all new homes/ dwelling units back in 2020. 

10. Emergency Kit 101:

Just in case there’s a power outage this winter. Store some flashlights, batteries, candles, device chargers, a transistor radio, and bottled water. Make sure that you can easily locate your kit in case of an emergency situation.

As we’ve learned here in the San Antonio Area, winter presents a different set of dangers with regard to Electricity.  Strong winds, ice, and harsh winter weather can cause power outages, heat outages, and even the danger of fire.

Trustworthy Tip: Getting your home’s electrical system in ship shape for the winter season provides you with peace of mind, so you can enjoy those Family gatherings and not have to scramble to “get things done” at the last minute.

We hope the above information is helpful for you to winterize your South Texas home!

If you’re needing an experienced and licensed electrician to assist with adding any new plug ins,

Or assist with repairs to existing outlets, look no further. Looking to add Whole Home Surge Protection? We’ve got you covered!

Bolt Electric can be found in all of these areas in and around the San Antonio area!

Electrician in San Antonio

Electrician in Alamo Heights

Electrician in Cibolo

Electrician in Converse

Electrician in Garden Ridge

Electrician in Live Oak

Electrician in New Braunfels

Electrician in Schertz

Electrician in Selma

Electrician in Stone Oak

Electrician in Universal City

Electrician in Windcrest

Our friendly Office Staff are waiting to take your call.

BOLT ELECTRIC, LLC

18847 REDLAND ROAD, SUITE 105

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78259

(210) 545-BOLT (2658)

www.boltelectricsa.com