It’s Hurricane Season, Do You Know Where Your Power Inverter Is?

It’s Hurricane Season, Do You Know Where Your Power Inverter Is? Keeping the Power on During a Power Outage.

Each year, hurricane season wreaks havoc on the east coast of the United States and other areas of the world. Among the damage to beloved communities comes damage to the power grids that pump electricity into surrounding homes. In this article we’ll look at how to be proactive and ensure you still have access to electricity in your home during an emergency power outage.

For those living in cities and towns affected by yearly hurricane season, the likelihood of prolonged power outages is all too real. Even during seasons that result in minimal damage, heavy rains and winds can keep the power down for extended periods of time, leaving you and your family without refrigeration, lighting, Internet and TV. Plus, should you have pets that rely on power to survive, such as fish in aquariums, they are also counting on a continual power source.

While a backup gas generator can offer power during an outage, they aren’t probable to keep on hand if you live in an apartment, condo or townhouse. Plus, they can be pretty spendy. The next obvious choice is keeping an ample supply of battery power on hand in the case of an emergency. To convert this power for use by your household appliances and devices, you’ll need a DC to AC power inverter.

While there is a wide range of power inverters available today, with all different sizes and features, one of the most common features for those looking to keep the power on during a power outage is the automatic transfer switch. Power inverters with an automatic transfer switch ensure your devices will get power during an outage even when you’re not there to manually make the switch. Simply plug your crucial appliances, such as refrigerators, into the power inverter and it will pull power directly from the house (AC) when available and switch to battery power (DC) automatically in the event of an outage. This feature is especially helpful during time of mandatory evacuation, giving you peace of mind that your appliances—such as flood pumps—will continue to operate in your absence. Plus, when you consider the hundreds of dollars you’ll save by keeping perishable food refrigerated and keeping your basement from flooding, a power inverter with a transfer switch almost pays for itself.

The important part is keeping you and your family safe during hurricane season. WWL TV, a weather-focused news station out of Louisiana, lists these tips for hurricane safety after the storm has hit:

• Do not enter a building if you smell gas; Call 911
• Do not light a match or turn on lights
• Wear waterproof boots and gloves to avoid floodwater touching your skin
• Wash your hands often with soap and clean water, or use a hand-cleaning gel with alcohol
• Avoid tetanus and other infections by getting medical attention for a dirty cut or deep puncture wound
• Do not turn on any electric or gas service until the safety of these utilities has been confirmed
• If power remains disrupted use flashlights
• Candles left unattended can start fires
• If there has been structural damage to your home or to trees in your yard ask for assistance from a professional before you risk getting injured from fallen debris

Click here to find inverters with automatic transfer switches like the ones discussed in this article.