Power outages are a common occurrence for many of us. On a good day, power outages may be little more than inconveniences. But when your home or business relies on continuous power to operate essential tools, computers, health devices, or refrigeration for medications like insulin, electrical power is a necessity.
Below, we review everything homeowners need to know about power outages, electrical system reliability, and keeping systems in good condition. We’ll also discuss backup power options and the value of having a 24/7 electrical contractor on call.
Why Power Outages Occur
Power outages can occur at any time from mechanical failures or unexpected maintenance issues, but one of the more predictable causes of outages is inclement weather. This is particularly common during periods of extreme temperature fluctuation, as is seen in our Annapolis summers.
As temperatures rise, so does the demand for electricity. All of those air conditioning units draw substantial energy from the power grid, and during hot summer days, when energy use is at its peak, demand can quickly outstrip supply. This may result in full-scale power outages (blackouts) or brownout conditions when voltage drops and electrical devices operate less efficiently.
And over time, aging infrastructure and inadequate maintenance lead to equipment failures, further contributing to the problem. Consider the Annapolis power outage in June 2023 when around 41,000 customers lost power because of mechanical issues at the Cedar Park substation.
Outages can occur for a variety of reasons, though in recent years, more scrutiny has been put on climate and the role of inclement weather in power outage frequency. It’s estimated that 80% of all major U.S. power outages were caused by severe weather from 2000 to 2023. Given the unavoidable nature of inclement weather, this puts homeowners in a challenging position. It’s not a question of will my power go out but a question of when.
Power Reliability
Power reliability is the measure of an electrical system’s ability to provide a continuous supply of electricity without interruptions. When demand outpaces supply, or when other technical issues prevent proper electrical distribution, reliability suffers. The first line of defense against power loss is the electrical grid operators, who can perform course-correcting actions to manage energy flow:
- Voltage Reduction (Brownout): Utilities reduce voltage to prevent a complete blackout, which dims lights and decreases device performance.
- Rolling Blackouts: Power is systematically turned off in different areas to balance the grid and avoid widespread outages.
- Complete Blackout: Total shutdown of the power grid affects large regions.
- Load Shedding: Power is cut to certain areas or industrial consumers to stabilize the grid during high demand periods.
- Grid Management Techniques: Advanced methods like demand response programs and smart grids help automatically balance supply and demand.
- Use of Backup Generators: Critical facilities switch to backup generators to reduce strain on the grid and make sure that essential services remain operational.
These efforts help residents enjoy ongoing, uninterrupted access to power–provided the home system is designed appropriately to connect to the power grid.
Create Home System Reliability
Upstream failures aren’t preventable by homeowners, but those who want continuous power reliability can improve other components of their electrical system. A backup or standby generator is a necessary component, but before generator installation, homeowners should make sure the core components of their infrastructure are maintained:
- Electrical Panel Services: The electrical panel is the heart of your home’s electrical system. A licensed electrician should perform regular inspections on electrical panels to be sure they can handle electrical load and distribute power efficiently.
- Regular Maintenance and Repairs: One of the most effective ways to maintain power reliability is through regular maintenance and timely repairs. This includes inspections of panels, wiring, and other components to catch problematic issues before they escalate.
- Smart Home Services: Smart home technology can do a lot to support power reliability. Smart thermostats, lighting systems, and energy monitors all give homeowners more insight into their energy usage. This means more control, less waste, and less risk of overloading systems.
Residential and commercial electricians play an indispensable role in power reliability. They provide essential services, such as electrical panel upgrades, wiring inspections, and emergency repairs to keep systems in top condition. Your Annapolis electrician can help you with other home energy goals as well, such as home generator installations.
Professional Home Generator Installation
The best way to prepare for power outages is to install a standby or backup generator. These provide a reliable source of power during outages and can be managed with ease, provided you select a right-fit generator solution for your home.
At Weisman Electric, generator installation is a multi-step process that considers every aspect of your home power needs:
Assessment of Power Needs
We begin with an assessment of your power needs to determine the appropriate size and type of generator. We evaluate essential appliances and systems, such as refrigerators, HVAC systems, and medical equipment. We calculate the total wattage required so we’re sure that your generator can handle your specific power load.
Generator Selection
Based on your power needs assessment, our friendly technicians help you pick out a generator that will best suit your needs. Generators come in various sizes and types, including portable, standby, natural gas, propane, and more. Standby generators are typically recommended for total power reliability because they’re more powerful and automatically switch on during an outage. This is the best way to keep your lights on, food fresh, HVAC systems functioning, and important medical equipment running.
Proper Installation
Proper installation of a backup or standby generator is crucial to its operation and requires expertise in residential electrical and HVAC infrastructure. We integrate your generator into your current electrical system so it will automatically engage when needed. Our services include complete design-build construction; turnkey installations; propane, natural gas, and diesel connections; installation of new or additional propane or diesel tanks with necessary concrete pads; crane rigging; and trenching.
Surge Protection
A surge protector can protect your home from sudden spikes in electricity. A high-quality surge protector—not just one built into a power strip—prevents your electrical devices and fixtures from becoming damaged.
Regular Maintenance and Repairs
After installation, regular maintenance will help your generator stay in top condition. We perform routine checks of the fuel supply, oil levels, and battery status. We also test the system periodically to make sure it works when needed and handle any necessary repairs or replacements, such as changing filters or spark plugs.
Work with an Annapolis contractor that offers preventive maintenance programs for your generator. This is the single best way to simplify system management and guarantee your backup power solution will always be ready when you need it.
Benefits of a 24/7 Electric Contractor
A licensed electrical contractor is essential if you want a more reliable power system in your home, but that’s not the only benefit. Contractors like Weisman Electric, who provide 24/7 emergency repair and maintenance, bring a range of helpful benefits to your next project:
- Immediate Assistance: When a power outage occurs, your backup generator can keep the power on—but a 24/7 electric contractor can provide same-day service to repair the issue and restore your system to full performance without any substantial disruption.
- Emergency Repairs: Electrical emergencies, such as power outages, faulty wiring, or electrical panel issues, can escalate into fire hazards when left unchecked. A reliable contractor can diagnose and fix these problems quickly to protect any building from a worst-case scenario.
- Critical Installations: Certain commercial installations, such as marina and pier electrical services or industrial electrical management, require specialized knowledge. A 24/7 electric contractor can provide this expertise with always-on availability that keeps business operations running.
Don’t Get Caught in the Dark – Keep the Lights On with Weisman Electric
Power outages are fairly common, but with preparation and a few proactive measures, you can minimize their impact. Weisman Electric understands the causes of outages. Power reliability through regular maintenance, upgrades, and backup generators are the most important steps to take. We also recommend that you work with a reliable 24/7 electrical contractor to manage electrical needs, from emergencies to routine inspections and everything in between.
Contact Weisman Electric to request a free consultation and never get caught without power again.