Preparing for Power Outage This Hurricane Season

Here in Florida, the holiday season isn't the only time of year we count down to each year. Unfortunately, we also have hurricane season looming over us each summer, and beginning in June until early Fall, we will be warily watching weather reports for any sign of disturbances in the Atlantic or in the Gulf. If and when a hurricane does come our way, we are accustomed to preparing for the worst by investing in plenty of water, nonperishable food, and boarding up windows and doors. But what does a hurricane (and possible power outage) mean for your AC?

Yes, in an emergency situation we know that staying cool with your AC isn't going to be the first thing on your mind. However, any seasoned Floridian will tell you that by day two or three of a power outage following a storm the lack of relief from cool air can deplete morale and leave you in poor spirits. While your AC will be affected during a power outage, you do have options for staying cool if a storm hits our area this season. Remember these tips when preparing for your next hurricane:

• Use your generator wisely. Generators are a great asset to have when the power goes out, especially if it will be out for long periods such as after a major storm, but they carry their own set of risks so knowing how to use them safely is key. Never use a generator indoors as the fumes released contain carbon monoxide and can be deadly in a short amount of time. Additionally, carefully consider what you choose to power with your generator. While it can be temping to blow the entire amount of power to keep your AC going for a few hours, it might be more beneficial to keep your freezer/refrigerator running so you don't lose stored food, to power lights inside your home when the sun goes down, or to run any important medical equipment needed by members of your household.

• Look for alternative cooling methods. If your AC is down, you don't have to resign yourself to suffering in the heat. Fans use way less power than your AC system, and can therefore run easily on a generator. To enhance the cooling capability, hang damp towels or sheets over open windows/doors and place the fan in front of these blowing into your home's interior. The fan will pull air cooled by the water and bring down the temperature in your house. Keep curtains/blinds closed as much as possible during the day to keep the sun from warming your home unnecessarily. Have a pool? Use it! Taking a quick dip and then getting out will help you feel cooler and will be a morale boost

• Do your AC maintenance before a hurricane. Following a hurricane, home repairs of all kinds can leave local service providers (like us) swamped with excess work and emergency calls. We are always thankful to serve our community in a time of need, but we do know that this extra influx of jobs can mean a longer wait for routine customers requesting a regular maintenance appointment or HVAC tune-up. Instead of waiting, scheduling your inspection and maintenance now before hurricane season hits ensures that your system is ready to go following a storm (as long as there was no damage to your home) and you won't be left waiting for an appointment.

We are all crossing our fingers together and hoping for an uneventful hurricane season here in Florida this year, but if 2019 does bring storms our way, we hope you feel prepared and can ride it out with confidence and (relative) comfort. Ready to schedule that maintenance appointment now? Give us a call! We are ready and waiting.

Commercial Upkeep: Why Restaurants Should Invest in A Maintenance Plan

Homeowners know the importance of maintenance, and often they choose to be proactive and invest in plans for routine inspections and “tune-ups” for their appliances and major home systems.  Here in Florida, the HVAC system is especially important since our temperatures soar during the summer, and remain relatively high for the majority of the year.  Businesses have just as much need of HVAC maintenance as residential customers, yet they often opt out of maintenance plans and agreements, and instead use service only when something goes wrong.

This is really not the best scenario, since restaurants usually have customers dining in, and the majority of their livelihood depends on the food within their industrial fridges and freezers.  If you own a restaurant, consider this: waiting until your HVAC system or commercial refrigeration has an issue, or worse, goes out altogether, could cost you hundreds in profit and lost materials.  Think about a typical day in your business, and then picture it without a functional AC and/or no refrigeration.  Your staff, and your customers, will be uncomfortable and hot, and that usually puts everyone in a foul mood.  No refrigeration means meat, dairy, and produce will begin to spoil, so you are forced to cook everything at once and then keep it at the appropriate temperature to maintain codes, OR you just accept that you’ll lose food and toss stuff as it climbs above the permitted temperature.  If you ignore the health codes, and are caught, you could be facing even MORE lost profit since you’ll be paying fines and could even be shut down periodically.

All that money lost would more than pay for a maintenance plan for your HVAC system and refrigeration appliances in your restaurant.  A maintenance plan covers routine inspections where potential issues can be discovered early before they cause bigger problems.  Even better?  With Ridge Energy Savers, local Polk County maintenance agreement customers get 10% off parts for repairs needed during these inspections, so you’re actually saving money in the long run!

Protect your restaurant and your money.  Give us a call about our maintenance plan and how it can work for you.