*This post has been created in partnership with Cummins*
Power outages have the potential to devastate your home, especially if you are out of town and unaware. This may not be something you want to think about when planning your next road-trip, but it is a very real concern for travelers. No matter if you are going on a month- long cross-country expedition or a long weekend at the local campground, having a proper home power outage preparation plan can help put your mind at ease and make your next road trip worry-free and much more enjoyable.
Why is it important to prepare my home for a power outage before my next road trip?
Did you know that the potential costs of power outages can be anywhere from $500 to $10,000!? This would be a crippling cost on most Americans. The potential side effects of a power outage can range from loss of food, water damage including mold, and irreversible damage to your appliances and electronics, to name a few.
When you are home, the potential for extreme damage is lowered. You are there, able to call your service provider and try to rectify the situation. But what if your power goes out while you are states away from home? No one wants to come home to that kind of surprise mess!
Causes of Unexpected Power Outages
Last year alone, nearly 36 million people experienced a power outage from issues such as grid or demand issues, severe weather, or even animals.
When most people think of power outages, they think of lightening and hurricanes. While yes, these do make up a large portion of reported outages, they aren’t the only natural disasters that can knock your power out. Earthquakes, tornadoes, wind storms, and wildfires are potential causes of power outages.
It may surprise you to hear that animals can cause power outages! One common example of an animal-caused power outage is a curious little squirrel who happens to be attracted to the humming noise resonating off of your electrical units.
3 out of 4 people wish they were more prepared for a power outage
Out of 1,000 people surveyed, three out of four wished they had been prepared for sever weather and power outages. Over half wished they would have had power backup for their homes.
Having backup power for your home should not be an afterthought. Proper preparation can help you avoid significant loss and damage in the event of a power outage when you are out on the road.
Tips & suggestions in preparing your home for the next road trip
Before you hit the road, take a few moments to prepare your home in case of a blackout with these tips from My Itchy Travel Feet.
- Make sure your refrigerator and freezer are properly sealed before you leave.
- Disconnect unnecessary appliances while you are away.
- Use as much of the food already in your refrigerator and freezer as you can leading up to your trip.
- Enlist a friend to check out the house periodically.
- Make sure your trash is emptied before you leave.
- Empty your dishwasher.
- Place your hot water heater on vacation mode.
- Set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature. If you’re traveling during summer, set it higher than normal so it does not run too often. In winter, set it low, but still warm enough so pipes don’t freeze.
- Get timers for your lights so it will appear as if someone is home.
- Turn off your water valves if leaving on an extended trip.
- Invest in your own home generator.
Investing in a home generator can mean the difference between thousands of dollars in damage and a damage free home! Cummins home generators are reliable, durable, and provide the power you need to power your whole home! Their QuietConnect are powerful, yet quiet generator, and come equipped with enhanced features such as weather-proof, sound-insulated enclosures.
What can I run with home generators?
Cummins generators are not lacking in power! Depending on the size generator and your family’s power needs, you can run your entire home or select appliances and electronics such as:
- Central Air Conditioner
- Refrigerator
- Deep Freezer
- Well Pump
- Washer
- Water Heater
Do home generators add value to homes?
The answer to this may surprise you. Did you know that the return you get by installing a standby generator is larger than that of adding a bathroom!?! Adding a standby generator truly is a wise financial investment. Not only are you preparing for power outages, you are increasing the resale value of your home. In fact, most people will recuperate the cost of a standby generator by 54% within the first year.
Enjoy peace of mind while on the road!
Before you hit the road and head to the campground, make sure your home is prepared to withstand a power outage. A Cummins home standby generator is a worthwhile investment that will provide priceless peace of mind and increase the value of your home. If you think a home generator is the right choice for you, contact a Cummins-authorized dealer today to schedule a free in-home assessment.