Posted on: September 9, 2024
By: Alan O'Neill
Posted in: House Generators
At Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Electrical, we know how frustrating and inconvenient power outages can be, especially in a city like Houston, where severe weather and unpredictable events are a part of life. Losing power means much more than just sitting in the dark—it can disrupt your comfort, communication, and safety. Whether it’s a Gulf Coast hurricane or a random equipment failure, understanding why power outages happen and how to prepare for them is crucial in Houston. In this blog, we’ll walk you through some of the top causes of power outages and the steps you can take to ensure your home remains safe and functional, no matter what happens.
Houston’s coastal location makes it particularly vulnerable to weather-related power outages. Weather is the most common cause of power outages in the region, whether it's intense thunderstorms, hurricanes, or extreme heat.
Thunderstorms: Houston regularly experiences thunderstorms, especially during the spring and summer months. High winds, heavy rains, and frequent lightning strikes can knock down power lines or cause equipment failures. Lightning strikes, in particular, are known to damage transformers, leading to widespread power loss.
Hurricanes: Houston residents are no strangers to hurricanes and tropical storms. The city’s proximity to the Gulf of Mexico makes it a prime target for destructive winds, flooding, and debris. Hurricanes like Harvey have left large areas of the city without power for days or even weeks. During these events, power lines, transformers, and substations can all be heavily damaged, causing widespread outages across the city.
Heatwaves: Houston's sweltering summer heat puts a heavy strain on the electrical grid. As residents blast their air conditioning, demand spikes, and the grid can become overloaded. This can lead to rolling blackouts or equipment failures, leaving homes without power during the hottest times of the year.
Winter Storms: While not as common, Houston learned during Winter Storm Uri that extreme cold can pose serious risks to the power grid. Ice buildup on power lines can cause them to snap, and freezing temperatures can cause equipment to fail, leaving Houstonians without heat or electricity for extended periods.
Install a Whole-Home Generator: At Abacus, we specialize in installing Generac whole home generators that automatically power your home when the electricity goes out. Whether it’s during hurricane season or a heatwave, a backup generator will keep your home running smoothly when the grid fails.
Create a Storm Kit: Houston’s unpredictable weather means you should always be prepared. Keep a kit with essentials like flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food, and first aid supplies. If you have a generator, make sure you’re familiar with operating it safely.
Trim Trees Around Power Lines: High winds and heavy storms can cause trees to fall onto power lines. Regularly trimming trees around your property can help minimize the risk of outages caused by fallen branches.
Sign Up for Weather Alerts: Stay ahead of Houston’s unpredictable weather by signing up for local weather alerts. Knowing when bad weather is approaching allows you to prepare in advance.
Even when Houston’s weather is calm, equipment failures can still cause unexpected power outages. The electrical grid relies on a complex network of infrastructure like transformers, power lines, and substations. When one component fails, it can lead to power loss for hundreds or even thousands of homes.
Aging Infrastructure: Houston’s electrical grid, like much of the U.S., is aging, and some components are reaching the end of their lifespan. As this infrastructure wears down, unexpected outages can happen more frequently.
Overloaded Circuits: Houston’s hot summers mean high electricity usage, especially with everyone running their air conditioning at full blast. This increased demand can overload circuits and transformers, causing equipment failures.
Human Error: Outages sometimes happen simply because of human error. Routine maintenance, incorrect procedures, or accidental mishaps can interrupt power for homes and businesses in the area.
Backup Power is Essential: A whole-home generator can save the day when Houston’s aging infrastructure fails. Having a generator means you won’t have to worry about losing power when the grid goes down unexpectedly.
Protect Electronics: Use surge protectors to safeguard your sensitive electronics from power surges caused by outages. This is especially important in areas with aging infrastructure.
Plan for the Unexpected: Equipment failures are hard to predict, but a backup power solution like a generator ensures your home stays powered regardless of the cause of the outage.
It might seem surprising, but animals are a frequent cause of power outages in Houston. From squirrels to birds, small critters often get into transformers or substations, causing short circuits and electrical outages.
How to Stay Prepared in Houston:
Install Wildlife Deterrents: Many utility companies in Houston have installed wildlife deterrents, but it’s always good to be aware of potential risks in your area.
Report Animal Interference: If you notice animals tampering with power lines or transformers, report it to your local utility company to help prevent outages before they happen.
In a city like Houston, where trees are abundant in both urban and rural areas, fallen trees are a significant cause of power outages, especially during storms. Even after a storm has passed, weakened or dead trees can fall and take down power lines, leaving neighborhoods without electricity.
Inspect Trees on Your Property: Regularly check trees near power lines for signs of weakness or dead branches. If you’re unsure, hire a professional arborist to assess their condition.
Have a Generator Ready: A generator can provide immediate power if a tree falls and takes out the power lines near your home. With a Generac system from Abacus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re covered.
Surprisingly, car accidents are another common cause of power outages. When a vehicle crashes into a utility pole, it can knock out power for the entire surrounding area. These outages tend to be localized but can still cause significant disruption.
Stay Informed: Power outages from vehicle accidents often happen without warning, so having a backup plan like a generator ensures you’re always prepared.
Report Downed Lines: If you see a downed power line after an accident, stay far away and report it to the utility company immediately.
At Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Electrical, we know power outages can strike at any time in Houston, whether due to severe weather, equipment failure, or even a squirrel in a transformer. Being prepared with a backup power system, surge protectors, and a well-stocked storm kit can keep your home and family safe and comfortable during an outage.
Don’t wait until the next storm or unexpected event leaves you in the dark—contact Abacus today to discuss how we can help you stay prepared with a Generac whole-home generator.
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