Fall may be only moments away, but you know what they say in the North: Winter is coming! That means now (yes now) is the perfect time to get started on all of those important pre-winter projects. Toping that list of must-dos are some essential electrical tasks.
Install a Standby Generator
A standby generator is different from the small portable generators available at most hardware stores. The difference being that this type of generator becomes a wired part of your home’s operating system. It is in fact a back-up electrical system that operates automatically upon sensing a loss of your home’s main power. It provides backup electrical power to your home’s HVAC, appliances, hot water and lighting. When the main power is restored, the generator returns to standby mode.
Installing a standby generator requires the services of qualified electrical experts, like the professionals at Hotwire Electric. In addition to providing installation and service expertise, Hotwire Electric carries several sizes of generators to suit family homes of all sizes.
Test Electrical Outlets
While this task may not be dependent upon the season, it’s a good practice to make regular inspections. So, while you’re in the process of looking into pre-winter electrical tasks, it’s also a good idea to make this a time when you test your home’s electrical outlets, including any GFCI outlets.
To ensure that these outlets are working correctly, be sure to acquire an electrical tester from your local hardware store. If your tests reveal any outlets that are not working correctly, you should contact a local professional.
Electrical Renovations
Whether you have plans for a smart home upgrade or have moved into a home with outdated electrical service, you’ll want to consider your home’s electrical upgrade while it’s still warm outside and before it starts getting dark at 5pm!
Trim Tree Limbs
This may not seem like an electrical task, but just ask anyone who remembers the ice storm from a few years back, and they’ll tell you that tree maintenance goes a long way toward preventing winter power outages.
Inspect Exterior Lighting
Not only is winter a colder time of year, but it’s also darker. This means that your home’s exterior lighting needs to be in top form. Do a perimeter inspection to ensure that all lights (and electrical outlets) are operating correctly. Remember, properly illuminated pathways can help alert people to the presence of ice and thereby prevent dangerous slip and fall accidents.
If your home’s exterior pathways are not effectively illuminated, you’ll want to contact a qualified electrical professional about designing an exterior lighting scheme that ensure that anyone visiting your home has a clear view of any ice or snow that may pose a danger.
For more information about Hotwire Electric contact them at 416-553-5533 or visit them online at https://hotwire-electric.com/.
Image Source: Hotwire Electric
