Preparing For Rolling Blackouts

Are you tired of rolling blackouts inconveniencing your Texas home? Although you cannot single-handedly prevent rolling blackouts, you can prepare for them.

Make Generator Authority your source for power outage preparedness. As extreme weather becomes more common, increasing the load on the power grid and triggering rolling blackouts, a standby generator is your best solution for retaining comfort and safety during an outage.

You can rely on our experts to recommend and install the best standby generator for your Dallas household.

A permanent generator installed outside your home can keep lights on during a power outage, no matter what causes the event. Extreme weather, such as high winds and ice, can damage utility company infrastructure and cause an outage. Equipment failure, accidents, and excessive electrical demand can also cause a blackout.

Most outages are unpredictable, but a rolling blackout is planned.

What is a Rolling Blackout?

Utility companies initiate rolling blackouts to lower electricity demand and ease the burden on the electrical grid. The goal is to prevent widespread and longer-lasting outages.

Extreme weather can increase power demand. Homeowners run their air conditioners and fans constantly, even while also operating other appliances and electrical devices, such as television sets, computers, dishwashers, electric vehicle chargers, and electric stoves.

Utility companies can lower demand and alleviate stress on the grid by systematically cutting power to a group of customers for a short period. When the company reconnects power to them, it disconnects another group.

The temporary blackout rolls from one group of customers to another.

Do Blackouts Come with a Warning?

Many utility companies encourage customers to reduce energy consumption during peak usage hours. Collectively lowering consumption may stave off a rolling blackout.

Utilities also warn customers through social media or news reports that a rolling blackout is possible when demand is high. They likely will not pinpoint any dates, times, or neighborhoods where a temporary blackout might occur.

Rolling blackouts are inconvenient and may jeopardize your safety if you rely on power-driven medical equipment, like oxygenators and wheelchairs.

How to Conserve Energy

At Generator Authority, we believe in avoiding and preparing for rolling blackouts. Consider doing your part in lowering the potential for planned blackouts:

• Peak Hours: Your utility company can tell you what time of the day energy consumption is at its peak. Avoid running several appliances simultaneously during this time. Consider using your washer, dryer, and dishwasher before or after peak hours. Spread out other tasks that require high energy use throughout the day.
• Efficient Appliances: Install LED bulbs in lamps and light fixtures to reduce heat and energy use. Use ENERGY STAR^® as a guide to energy-efficient appliances, heating and cooling systems, lighting, and electronics.
• Smart Thermostat: Install a smart thermostat to achieve precise temperature control and optimize energy use without sacrificing comfort.

Prepare With a Standby Generator

A standby generator handles rolling blackouts and can run for days during a prolonged power outage.

We can install a unit that runs on natural gas or propane outdoors near your Dallas home. You do not have to set it in place, refuel, and start it manually as you would with a portable generator.

When it senses an interruption in the utility power supply, it automatically switches your home electrical panel to generator power. When the power returns, it reconnects the panel to the utility supply.

The transition from one power source to another is seamless.

Creating a Home Emergency Kit

If you install a standby generator, you can relax. You may not even notice a rolling blackout.

If you do not own a standby generator, consider creating an emergency kit with contents that can help you through a power outage. Place the kit in an accessible location.

You do not need much for a rolling outage. Flashlights, batteries, and a portable radio suffice during a blackout of less than two hours. Consider keeping a few items on hand for lengthy outages.

Your kit might include a battery-powered cell phone charger, manual can opener, hand sanitizer, garbage bags, cash, a first aid kit, non-perishable food, bottled water, and copies of important documents.

Talk to your health provider about options for electric wheelchairs and other medical equipment.

During and After a Rolling Blackout

Unplug electronic devices and appliances when electricity returns to guard against a power surge. Also, switch off your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment.

Wait a few minutes after power returns to plug in appliances and start your HVAC.

Install a Standby Generator Today

Extreme heat and cold drive excessive energy consumption that can trigger a rolling blackout. You can circumvent inconvenient power interruptions by installing a standby generator in your Dallas, TX, home. Our Generator Authority experts can guide you from equipment selection through installation. Call us at 817-984-3600, or request service online.