How Long Can Your Home Last Without Power?

Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, sunny weather, and delicious oranges, but it is also infamous for its hurricane season. Between June 1st and November 30th, Floridians and visitors alike must remain vigilant and prepared for potential storms. Hurricanes can be devastating, causing power outages, flooding, and the destruction of homes and businesses.

One of the most significant challenges during a hurricane is dealing with the loss of power. Many people may not realize how much they depend on electricity until it's gone. This blog will explore the most important things to consider when going into hurricane season without a whole-home generator.

Heat:

Air conditioning and fans are no longer an option without power, making the heat and humidity feel even more oppressive. During a hurricane, it's important to stay cool and hydrated to avoid heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Staying in your home with temperatures above 78 F for long periods can lead to scary symptoms, such as dizziness, nausea, fever, and fatigue, usually resulting in heat exhaustion or heat stroke. These are serious signals that you are too hot and should seek medical treatment right away.

Beyond the risks to human health, high temperatures can also have an impact on the structural integrity of your home, causing materials to expand and potentially crack. Additionally, appliances and electronics can be affected, with some becoming damaged or malfunctioning when exposed to excessive heat. High temperatures can also increase the risk of mold and mildew growth, which can be harmful to your health.

Humidity:

Florida is known for its high humidity levels, even without a hurricane. When your air conditioning system goes down in a hurricane, you may experience discomfort and potentially dangerous conditions due to the sudden rise in humidity. While your air conditioning unit works to keep your indoor humidity between 30-50%, this line of defense is gone if you do not have a generator powering your home. High humidity has also been linked to heat exhaustion, respiratory distress, and heat stroke. It is extremely important to ensure that you can manage the humidity within your home during these emergencies.

In addition to these health hazards, prolonged exposure to high humidity can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause damage to walls, floors, and ceilings. It can also cause paint to peel, wallpaper to bubble, and wood to warp or rot. Humidity can also increase the levels of dust mites and other allergens in your home, leading to respiratory issues and aggravating allergies.

Food:

During a power outage, food spoilage can be a significant issue, particularly if the outage lasts for an extended period. Without power, refrigerators and freezers are unable to keep food at a safe temperature, leading to spoilage and potentially dangerous bacteria growth. According to the USDA, perishable foods such as meat, dairy, and eggs can only last up to four hours without refrigeration. This can result in the loss of a significant amount of food, which can be expensive and difficult to replace. Access to food can also be limited during natural disasters such as hurricanes, with grocery stores and restaurants often closed or inaccessible. In these situations, it is important to take steps to keep perishable food safe by ensuring that your generator is working properly before the storm.

We all know hurricanes in Florida can be dangerous and life-threatening events, and it's essential to be prepared. When the power goes out, it's important to consider food spoilage, humidity, and heat to stay safe and comfortable during the storm. By preparing ahead of the season and installing a whole-home generator, you can eliminate these risks when the power goes out. Give our team at Elite a call to learn more about how a whole-home generator can work for you.

Contact Information:

Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

1691 SW South Macedo Blvd
Port St Lucie, FL 34984
United States

Jessica Strenta
(772) 783-4480
https://www.eliteelectricandair.com/