Power failures are frustrating and difficult in ways people don't always understand. Being used to having a steady power source, you don't always think of the full effects of a power Outage. If the power outage is short, it can be fun to have a cookout on a grill and a family dinner by candlelight. The TV doesn't work, so you might find a movie to watch on your computer, until you realize you don't have enough battery life and there is no way to recharge it. You want to call the power company to find out what is going on, but they put you on hold and again, there's no way to charge your phone battery. You might decide to go out to eat or even stay with friends, but you, your spouse, and your children need to bathe first and there's no hot water.

Today: Backup Power Source

There are backup power sources which can solve your problems. Solar panels are nice because they help cut your power bills on a daily basis, but by today's paradigm they aren't always reliable during a power outage. They don't work during a storm because there is little sunlight, and a modest battery bank simply won't run your house during an extended power outage. More reliable is a diesel generator, much like what hospitals and public buildings use. Whether the power goes out for an hour or a day, your life can proceed as normal with a backup generator.

Tomorrow: Hiring an Electrical Contractor for Repairs

After a power outage, you are likely to have a few blown circuits and stress on your Electric system it wasn't designed to handle. It's always a good idea to have a licensed Electrical Contractor conduct a thorough inspection of your home to make sure everything is working properly after a power outage. The electric company only fixes the problem at its source but doesn't take care of any additional problems the power surges or low power periods may have caused in your house.

Long Term: Renovations and Improvements

Although there is nothing you can do about storms which interrupt power to the entire neighborhood, you can protect your home. Always make sure a licensed professional conducts electrical work, and keep your house up to date with routine inspections and regular maintenance as needed.