Winter can be nortorious for power cuts. Besides hoarding candles, here are our top 7 tips for preparing for a power cut!
Winter is a notorious time of year for storms, heavy rains, and big winds. If a tree falls over, it can cause an unexpected and annoying power outage. If this happens, power suppliers will work as quickly as possible to get your lights back on. But this can take several hours, or even a day.
We have rounded up our 7 best tips for preparing for a power cut.
1. Consider Investing in Solar Panels
Solar panels are a great way to “power cut proof” your home. Solar power works differently to your regular power supply. Solar panels, which are typically installed on your roof, absorb the sun’s powerful light, even on cloudy days. This light is converted into electricity, which can be used to power your home – from the lights to your laptop! Solar panels can generate enough power to reduce your energy bill, or even cover an entire month, so it’s a great investment that saves you money in the long run. Solar power can be stored and used when there is a power cut, so you can keep shining. A standard home will require around 3kW of solar panels, which will cost about $8,000 to $10,000. Remember, solar panels are an investment that protect your home during power outages, and will generate great returns over time by lowering your power bill.
2. Get a Power Bank
A power bank, or a portable charger, is a great way to ensure your mobile phone will not run out of battery during a power outage. You don’t want to have a dead phone during a long stretch of no power. Keep yourself entertained, and connected to others by investing in a power bank that offers several charges.
3. Compare your Mobile Phone Plan
If the power goes out, your Wifi modem will go out too. You’ll want to be able to access the internet and not worry about running out. Jump on Mobile Compare to compare different mobile plans, and see if you can find a better mobile plan that offers more data, or even unlimited data for a better price. Mobile Compare can help you find a better deal for a cheaper price, and has the potential to unlock savings.
4. Store Cooking Fuel
If the power goes out, you won’t be able to cook food on the stove, in the oven, or the microwave. Store some gas bottles in an accessible location of your home so that you can cook using your BBQ. It may pay to have non-perishable snacks on hand that don’t require heating such as muesli bars and crackers.
5. Store Emergency Water
If you live rural, you may not be able to use water pumps in a power outage. Be prepared by having plenty of emergency water supplies stored for drinking and washing.
6. Use Surge Protectors
When power is cut suddenly, and then comes back on, the surge in electricity can damage your devices and appliances. Surge protectors can secure the integrity of your appliances so that they don’t break during power interruptions.
7. Have Blankets and Bedding Handy
If the power goes out in the winter, your heaters will stop working and it could get quite cold! Be sure to have lots of blankets and thick winter duvets and comforters on hand so that everyone in your house can stay warm.
Don’t forget to compare power
Now that you know how to prepare yourself for a power cut, be sure to compare your power bill to unlock savings. Here at Power Compare, we are all about helping Kiwis make fully informed choices and make savings. Our user-friendly platform makes it easy to compare the power plans and providers available to you, so you can find a better deal for a better price, switch within minutes, and make savings that will make a great impact over a year!
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