How to Prepare Your Electrical System for Winter

Your home’s electrical system is important to consider with winter approaching. You expect your house to stay comfortably warm during the colder months, but what if its heating system fails during freezing temperatures? What if your home’s infrastructure can no longer handle the increased electrical demand during the holidays?

Fortunately, you can take steps to avoid the above situations. Preparing your home’s electrical system for winter will give you peace of mind knowing your family will be safe and secure. This is especially true when you get the help of a licensed electrician. The following is a three-step guide for preparing your home’s electrical system for winter.

1) Lighting for Longer Nights

Winter will bring shorter days and longer nights. On the winter solstice in Maryland, there will only be about nine and a half hours of daylight. During the winter, your home will need dependable exterior lighting, so it’s wise to inspect your outdoor lighting in mid-autumn before it gets dark daily around 5 p.m. Good outdoor lighting will promote both security and safety, especially when you come home after work when it is already dark.

2) Heating Systems & Thermostats

Checking and preparing your home’s heating system and thermostats is another important task for winter. Both will require reliable electrical connections to be powered and properly controlled. Although typically reliable, it is still wise to perform an inspection during autumn. Check the backup batteries of your thermostats. Perform inspections of your home’s heating systems, including the furnace, water heater, and any space heaters.

3) Smoke & Carbon Dioxide Detectors

The probability of fires and dangerous carbon dioxide (CO2) leaks rises during the colder months. Fireplaces and space heaters will be used more frequently, making the fire more likely. Cold temperatures and bad weather will have your windows closed, sealing your home during winter. Carbon dioxide may be trapped inside because of poor venting and can be deadly. Sometime this fall, protect your family by ensuring all of your smoke and CO2 detectors are working properly electrically.

Electrical Services You Can Trust

Founded in 1991, Meyer Electrical Services provides home and commercial electrical services in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., where we are licensed and insured. Based in Bethesda, our team proudly serves all of Montgomery County. Receive a free consultation for custom electrical work today by calling (301) 941-1400.