No matter where you live in Florida, it’s a good idea to prepare for extreme weather. The state usually experiences at least one devastating hurricane every three years. If you live in or near a coastal region like Bonita Springs, FL, you might face stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and a higher risk of flooding.
Fortunately, there are simple tips you can follow to get your electrical system ready for hurricanes. You can follow many of these tips yourself, or you can have one of our electricians help you.
Secure the Outdoor Part of the HVAC System
When preparing for a hurricane, many Florida homeowners focus on windows and roofing. However, your HVAC system should also be part of your electrical safety plan. Central air systems include outdoor units that contain electrical components vulnerable to storm damage. Securing this equipment is essential to prevent physical damage and avoid electrical hazards caused by dislodged wiring or submerged parts.
To reduce risk, anchor the outdoor unit with hurricane straps or metal brackets to keep it stable during high winds. If your property is in a flood-prone zone, consider elevating the unit to prevent water from getting into it. Taking these steps before a storm hits can help you avoid costly damage and reduce the chance of electrical shock or system failure due to the storm.
Test Smoke and Carbon Detectors
Power outages are common during hurricanes, and many Florida residents rely on candles and portable generators if the power goes out. While these are helpful in the short term, they also increase fire and carbon monoxide hazards. That’s why checking your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is an essential part of hurricane preparedness.
Before the storm arrives, test each device by pressing the test button and confirming an audible alert. Replace old batteries and consider upgrading to models with battery backups if yours are hardwired.
Unplug Major Appliances
Before the storm hits, it’s important to disconnect any large appliances to protect them from potential power surges. A surge can damage sensitive electronics when the power is restored. In addition to unplugging appliances like refrigerators or washing machines, be sure to turn off and unplug smaller electronics, such as computers, televisions, gaming consoles, or anything else you won’t be using during the storm.
Install a Whole-Home Surge Protector
Given the limitations of portable generators, you may want to consider a more permanent solution to power outages. During a storm and right after, power surges can occur as a result of lightning strikes or the power being turned back on. A whole-home surge protector shields your home by diverting excess voltage away from your electrical system, ensuring your appliances and electronics stay safe from damage caused by power fluctuations.
Installed at your main electrical panel, a surge protector provides comprehensive protection for all electrical components in your home, including lights, outlets, and major appliances. Surge protectors vary in size, and for most homes, a unit rated between 40,000 and 60,000 amps offers sufficient protection. These compact devices can often be installed within your existing electrical panel or right beside it. With a whole-home surge protector, you can keep devices plugged in and avoid worrying about potential damage during the storm.
Label Your Breaker Box Clearly
You may need to access your breaker box multiple times before, during, and after a hurricane. Whether you’re shutting off the main power ahead of the storm or checking for tripped breakers afterward, having clearly labeled circuits makes the process much safer and faster. Without labels, you could easily flip the wrong switch or miss something important.
Take the time to label each breaker and test which areas of your home they control before the storm. If you’re unsure where certain breakers lead, our team can help identify and label everything properly so you’re not left guessing which switch to flip.
Portable Generator Safety
Portable generators can be great during extended outages, but they come with serious safety considerations. Always run them outdoors and well away from doors, windows, and vents to prevent deadly carbon monoxide buildup. Never operate a generator inside a garage, even if the door is open.
You’ll also want to consider how you’ll connect your generator. The simplest method is plugging appliances directly into the generator using heavy-duty extension cords. However, if you want to power part of your home, like lights or outlets, you’ll need a manual transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician. This setup allows you to safely connect the generator to your home’s electrical panel and switch to backup power until the municipal power system is restored.
You will also need to ensure you have enough fuel for your generator. A typical portable generator that powers a refrigerator, a few lights, and a fan or small window AC unit will use roughly 12 to 20 gallons of gasoline per day if running continuously.
However, most homeowners only run their generators for a few hours at a time to conserve fuel. If you’re running a 5,000-watt generator for about half the day, you might use closer to 6 to 10 gallons daily. Keep in mind that larger loads, like powering a central HVAC system, will require more gas. It’s smart to store enough fuel for at least three days.
Consider Installing a Backup Generator
Given the limitations of portable generators, consider a more permanent solution to outages. A backup generator, also called a standby generator, is hardwired into your home’s electrical system and will turn on automatically when the power goes out. It can also run for days at a time, making it a reliable choice for extended outages caused by hurricanes.
Backup generators are usually powered by natural gas or propane, which means you won’t need to worry about refueling every few hours like you do with a gas-powered portable one. Many homeowners in Florida connect a standby generator to their existing natural gas line, so there’s no need to store extra fuel.
These systems come in a range of sizes, with common residential models providing between 10,000 and 24,000 watts of power. That’s enough to run essentials like your refrigerator, HVAC system, internet router, and sump pump, plus keep your security system and lights on. A whole-house generator can also provide uninterrupted electricity for those who rely on medical devices.
Trim Trees Near Power Lines
Trimming trees near power lines is another important part of preparing your electrical system for storms. During a hurricane, high winds can break branches that may fall onto the lines connecting your home to the main electrical grid. By keeping vegetation well-trimmed around these lines, you reduce the risk of outages and potential electrical hazards. It’s a simple, proactive task that can make a big difference when a storm hits.
Contact Your Local Electricians
At Plumbing, Cooling & Electrical Nerds, we have been serving the residents of Bonita Springs, FL, and the surrounding areas for years. We can help you prepare your home for a hurricane by installing surge protection and any other electrical upgrades you may need. You can also count on our electrical service team for expert repairs after a storm hits. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced electricians.
