Electric question

[Cookiely]

If the power goes out is there anything that I should do?

[birdwomn]

turn off and unplug any sensetive electrical equipment that could be ruined when power comes back with a bit of a surge

try to keep fridge and freezer closed!

if you have ice, you might want to pack your 5 day cooler with items that you want to keep if it is out for a few hours.
(I'm sure you already ate all the popsicles...they are messy!!!)

and of course, get your back up batteries handy

[rdcrds]

turn your AC off and other power stuff so when it comes back on you don't get a surge.

Also turn your AC down right now very low to keep you cool a little longer.

I am in Bradenton and hope and pray it dont but im sure it will soon.

[BEER980]

It would guess it depends on what caused it. I threw our main breaker when we lost lower during Frances. I heard arcing from a block or so away and figured it would be out for some time at least. About 2 hours later a tree came down on the wires going to the power pole. That bent the meter pole which is not good because it has to be fixed by an electrician before the power company come back. Our area had plenty of damage so it was fixed in 3 days and ready for the power almost 4 days later. I did shut off most of the breakers, leaving just the AC and well pump so it would be less of a load when it did come back on.

[tronbunny]

As for the AC...
get it at the breaker..same for the fridge/freezer
could whack your compressors.

[Cookiely]

Thanks for all the advice. I really appreciate the help. If I have to go three weeks without AC they can chalk me up as another casualty of the hurricane.

[BEER980]

Yea after day 6 I was going to snap. The street behind us got power 2 days before us so that was anoying to say the least. The 84% humidity in the house is what gets you.

[ColdFront77]

turn off and unplug any sensetive electrical equipment that could be ruined when power comes back with a bit of a surge

I have a surge protector on my computer and one is attached to the circuit break system in the garage. There have been power outages here since I moved to central Florida in June 2000 and when the power comes back there has never been a problem with my computer, televisions and other electrical equipment.

As I have mentioned from time to time... I find it ridiculous to have to unplug electrical equipment (especially my computer) when thunderstorms during the late spring, summer and early autumn. Those of us in Florida will be unplugging our computers nearly every day. How many people do you know unplug their ovens and refrigerators in a situation such as this?

[hiflyer]

before the power goes crank the refrdge and freezer down to max

[Wacahootaman]

Also, do cut the power to your Hot Water Heater unless it is set up so the water wont drain out when the power goes out.

If the power comes back on without water inside the hwh, the elements will burn out and will have to be replaced.

Also, I had several floresent lights whose balasts went bad after 8 days with no elec cause I had a big surge when the power came back on.

Being without any fan or AC when the heat indexes were around 100 for a week with only sponge baths to make do was really getting old!

[Cookiely]

Also, do cut the power to your Hot Water Heater unless it is set up so the water wont drain out when the power goes out.

If the power comes back on without water inside the hwh, the elements will burn out and will have to be replaced.

Also, I had several floresent lights whose balasts went bad after 8 days with no elec cause I had a big surge when the power came back on.

Being without any fan or AC when the heat indexes were around 100 for a week with only sponge baths to make do was really getting old!

Thanks for the tip about the hot water heater. I think to be on the safe side I will just turn off all the breakers. Thanks again for everyones help and advice.