Power outages are the worst, especially during the winter months. To keep them at bay, prep your electrical panel for the challenges of winter.

Know Your Panel

First, get to know your electrical panel. It’s usually a gray metal box located in your garage or utility room. Inside, you’ll find a bunch of switches called circuit breakers. Each breaker controls the flow of electricity to a specific part of your house, such as the lights in your bedroom or the outlets in your kitchen. Familiarize yourself with the layout of your panel, and label each breaker so that you know what it controls. This will come in handy if you ever need to reset a breaker or troubleshoot a problem.

Keep It Clean and Dry

Your electrical panel is not a storage unit. Make sure the area around your panel is clean and free of clutter. You don’t want boxes, tools, or anything else blocking access to the panel in case of an emergency. Also, make sure the area is dry. Water and electricity don’t mix, so keep an eye out for any leaks or moisture.

Check for Corrosion

Corrosion or rust can cause problems with your electrical connections and even lead to a fire. Inspect your panel for any signs of corrosion, such as rust-colored stains or loose wires. If you see anything suspicious, call a licensed electrician to check it out.

Don’t Overload Your Circuits

During the winter, we tend to use more electricity, especially with holiday lights. But be careful not to overload your circuits. This can cause breakers to trip and lead to a power outage. Distribute your electrical load evenly across different circuits, and avoid plugging too many devices into a single outlet. If you find that your breakers are tripping frequently, it might be a sign that you need to upgrade your electrical panel.

Protect Against Surges

Power surges can occur when lightning strikes or when the power grid experiences a sudden change in voltage. These surges can damage your electronics and appliances. To protect your valuable equipment, consider installing surge protectors on your electrical panel and individual outlets.

Be Prepared for Outages

Even with the best preparation, power outages can still happen. It’s a good idea to have a plan in place in case the lights go out. Keep flashlights, candles, and extra batteries on hand. You might also want to invest in a portable generator for backup power.

We’re Here to Help

If you experience frequent power outages, flickering lights, or other electrical problems, call an electrician. They can diagnose and repair any issues to make sure that your electrical system is safe and dependable throughout the winter.

When you take these simple steps, you can help prevent winter power outages and keep your home safe and comfortable. For help doing this, call our team at Hometown Electric for electrical panel maintenance and repair in Missoula, MT.