Surviving a Winter Power Outage

Winter can be both beautiful and brutal. Heavy snow and ice can break trees and bring down power lines, causing outages that can last for days. Here are a few tips to help you prepare and stay warm if you lose power this winter.Stock Up. Before the storm hits, make sure you have flashlights with fresh batteries, nonperishable food to last for a few days, a manual can opener, water, plenty of blankets, wood, candles and matches. And don’t forget to charge phones and other devices. Prevent Heat Loss. Avoid opening and closing exterior doors. One blast of cold air can drop the indoor temperature between five and 10 degrees. Close blinds and curtains for additional insulation to windows, and place rolled-up towels at the base of doors to block drafts.
Conserve as much heat as possible. Gather your family in one interior room and try to remain together. The concentration of body heat will make it easier to stay warm.
Bundle Up. Layering loose clothing will keep you warmer than tight layers. Wool and down are especially effective for trapping heat. A large amount of body heat is released through your head, so keep a hat on at all times. Make It Last. If you have a wood-burning fireplace and a full supply of wood, light a fire and keep it burning. If you have a limited supply of wood, burn it at intervals when it gets the coldest inside.
When power is restored, monitor your thermostat. If your house is not warming up, MTB Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Call us to schedule an appointment, and we’ll get your family and home warm again in no time!
When power is restored, monitor your thermostat. If your house is not warming up, MTB Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Call us to schedule an appointment, and we’ll get your family and home warm again in no time!