What To Do During A Power Outage

In order to understand what one must do during a power outage; we would like to begin this article by raising some common questions that most of us ask-

  • How long is the power outage going to last?
  • What food should I stock up on during the outage?
  • Will the Generator be able to help me for the entire length of the outage?
  • Should I leave the house and get help from somewhere?
  • What are some essentials that I need to help my family get through the power outage?

Whenever there is a power outage, we invariably end up asking ourselves the above-mentioned questions. If you have been following the news, the United States and especially the State of Texas is experiencing very bad weather leading to huge power outages.

With the authorities working around the clock to fix things, here are some important things you need to do during a power outage.

Creating an Emergency Kit for Power Outage Situations

The American Red Cross society has prepared a toolkit to help improve the preparedness levels of individuals and families for power outages. This holds true for almost all regions in the world that are likely to face power outages.

Let us now list down some of the important elements of the emergency kit for power outages-

  1. Drinking-Water-

Experts suggest that there should be one gallon of water available for each person for one single day. They also suggest that this amount should be at least for a period of two weeks. If things do not improve, you need an evacuation plan that should include three gallons of water.

  1. Non-Perishable Food Items-

Individuals and families should stock up on non-perishable food items that do not need pre-heating in a microwave or a gas stove. This means a two-week supply of packaged food that can easily be prepared, consumed, and disposed of in the house itself.

  1. Flash Lights and Batteries-

It is important that each member of the house has one flashlight for themselves. This will them be mobile whenever they need to use the washroom or other areas in the house. It is also important to stock up on the batteries for the flashlight so that you do not run out of them.

  1. Medical Supplies and First-Aid Kits-

If you are facing power outages because of weather conditions, it is best that you stock on medical supplies for everyday use. You do not want to be going out in the bad weather and just seeing closed shutters on medical stores. Preparing a first aid kit is also equally important.

  1. Copies of Official and Personal Documents-

It is important to be prepared for worst-case scenarios. This is because big power outages are caused by natural disasters. In some cases, the government prepares an evacuation plan. This is why you need to keep copies of all your personal and official documents readily available.

How to Handle Family Members including Children and the Elderly during a Power Outage?

When it comes to power outages, the kids and children are the ones that are most affected. The uncertainty, coupled with no lights and power starts making them feel scared. Parents and other elderly members of the house need to ensure that they are well looked after and all their needs are being met.

In order to ensure that this happens, experts have created certain guidelines to help individuals and families handle power outages better-

  • Adult members of the family should ensure that they are not arguing or fighting among themselves during the power outage.
  • As lighting is at a minimum, it is important to keep the elderly members of the family in a safe manner. Accompanying them to the washroom is a good idea.
  • It is important to keep telling children who are feeling scared or fearful that things will become better in some time. Telling them stories to distract them is also great.
  • Don’t allow children and elderly family members to go near generators or power points in the house. Power outages can result in drastic voltage fluctuation levels.
  • Playing games during the power outage and generally having light-hearted conversations can help in passing the time in a casual and happy manner.

The Bottom Line

It is important that adult family members in the house do not start showing signs of panic or fear. Doing the things mentioned in the article can ensure that you do not face a lot of issues or problems when it comes to power outages. These situations can be quite unbearable, to say the least. However, if you are well-prepared you will be easily able to sail through them safely with your family members.

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How To Choose The Right Light Bulbs

In the last few years, choosing the right light bulb has become quite a complicated and overwhelming affair. a standard watt-bulb is not going to cut it anymore. You need to check whether the light bulb matches the overall look and feel of the space it is lighting.

The needs and requirements change on whether you are choosing a light bulb for an office fixture or for your home. Even within these two spaces, you need to consider the kind of room you are going to place the bulb in.

In this article, we speak to leading lighting experts on this subject matter. Specifically, we ask them about the important considerations to keep in mind when choosing the right light bulb.

List of 5 Things you need to consider when Choosing the Right Light Bulb

  1. LEDs are Better than normal Incandescent Bulbs-

If there is anything that has revolutionized the lighting industry, it is the advent of LEDs. Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs are being preferred in different spaces from homes to offices because they carry several advantages over normal incandescent bulbs.

For example, LED bulbs are tested to last more than 25 times than normal filament-based incandescent bulbs. Secondly, LED bulbs also consume far less electrical energy than older bulbs. Yes, they are a little bit more expensive, but it helps save a lot of money in the long run.

  1. Space or Room should be taken into consideration-

Leading lighting experts that work with interior décor specialists say that when it comes to choosing a light bulb, space is an important factor. You need to ask yourself the following questions-

  • What are you going to do in the space you want to be illuminated by the light bulb?
  • The nature and different types of furniture in the space and how it will react to light?
  • The kind of sitting you have in the room- you do not want a light to be streamed directly into your face.

Once you have been able to answer the above questions, you will be in a much better position to choose the right light bulb.

  1. Try to understand Lighting Power from Lumens and not Watts-

Traditionally we have all been under the misconception that the ‘watts’ referred to on incandescent bulbs refers to their power/lighting output. However, that is not the case. The watts referred to on incandescent bulbs refer to the power consumption levels of that bulb.

Experts suggest looking at ‘Lumens’ a metric that suggests power and lighting output. A good LED emits anywhere between 450 to 2600 lumens. Checking the packaging is going to give you a good idea of the kind of lighting output you really need.

  1. Dimmable LED Lights are in vogue-

It might not be possible for you to purchase light bulbs for different purposes. This is why experts are of the opinion that dimmable LED lights should be installed. They help in satisfying a range of issues. If you want a bright light or a sim one, the same dimmable bulb can help.

Users need to be aware of the fact that not all LED bulbs come with a dimmable function. This is why it is important to check with the salesman or look at the packaging box. You do not want to buy something with the impression that is going to be dimmable when in fact, it is not.

  1. Lighting plays a major role in altering Sleep Patterns-

According to medical professionals, the kind of lighting in a room plays an integral role in determining sleep patterns. Medical professionals are of the opinion that good lighting helps in fixing your body’s biological clock better.

Your body needs signals to let it know when it is supposed to get up and when it is supposed to sleep. This is especially true for rooms that do not have a lot of natural sunlight coming in through the doors and windows in the morning.

Décor experts suggest that people should pay attention to the aesthetics of the light bulb if they want it to match the personality of their homes and offices. Thankfully, there are a lot of innovations that have come about recently, which make it possible to combine form and function in light bulbs.

The article was intended to help users choose the right light bulb for their needs and requirements. With so many different kinds of options in the market, selecting one that suits your interests can be a complex affair. if you wish to know more, drop in your questions in the comments below, and we will try our best to answer every one of them.

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Top 7 Reasons Why You Should Consider A Solar System For Your Home

Economic Benefits. Environmental Protection. Personal Reasons. Innovative Tech Adoption.

There can be any number of reasons why homeowners in different parts of the world are opting for solar energy. With scalable solar energy solutions that are affordable, there are a lot of options available to homeowners in recent years.

Whether it is the United States, United Kingdom, or Australia, there is a marked increase in the adoption of solar energy solutions. In this article, we look at the top 7 reasons why you as an individual should consider a solar system for your home.

List of the Top 7 Reasons why you should consider a Solar System for your Home

  1. Direct Impact on Lowering Electricity and Energy Bills-

If you are a homeowner looking to cut down on rising electricity costs, going solar might be the best option available to you. While it might seem like an expensive investment at one go, you stand to benefit a lot in terms of saving money in bills over the long run. You can easily use all the money that you have saved for spending on some other important areas.

  1. The Independence of not being Dependent for Power needs-

Most homeowners do not pay attention to the fact that generating your own electricity can be an incredibly liberating experience. Not being dependent on the power company for your energy means that your home will be energy sufficient. When all the homes in your neighborhood will suffer from power outages, your house will have power and electricity.

  1. Creating a Better and Sustainable Future for your Kids-

The electricity generated and powering homes in different parts of the world is thermal in nature. Meaning that it requires the burning of fossil fuels like coal to generate electricity. Studies have shown that thermal power plants release harmful gases into our atmosphere, Using solar energy can help in reducing their need and dependency and create a better future.

  1. Solar Energy Solutions are Affordable and Cost-Effective-

It is true that when solar energy solutions first emerged on the scene, they were considered impractical because of the high costs. However, in recent years, almost all solar energy solutions, including solar air conditioners are very affordable and cost-effective in nature. You do not have to break-the-bank to invest in one. This is promoting the use and installation.

  1. Improves the Market Valuation of the House-

As a homeowner, we always want our properties to rise in value. Most real estate is considered an investment for families. Market research has shown that homes that have solar energy solutions command a far higher market value in real estate than homes that do not. If you are looking to command a premium when you decide to sell, solar solutions will come in handy.

  1. No Special Permits or Licenses are required-

Many people are under the false impression that installing solar solutions requires some kind of a special permit from the government authorities. However, the same is not true. With solar power becoming so mainstream in recent years, all you need is to work with an expert solar energy solutions company to install the same in your household. No permits are required.

  1. Zero Maintenance and Long Life-

As compared to normal power and appliances that run on them, solar devices do not generally need a lot of service or maintenance. This can allow you to save more on your annual maintenance and servicing costs. Studies have also shown that solar devices tend to have a longer lifespan than traditional devices. This is another reason why homeowners love solar.

Community Responsibility and Helping Local Businesses

It needs to be pointed out that the solar industry can play a vital role in boosting job employment in local communities. Experts suggest that neighborhoods can play a great role in boosting local community-centric businesses and encourage them to grow by installing solar energy solutions.

Most point out that jobs in the solar energy sector cannot be outsourced and ends up benefitting the local economy and community far better than other kinds of jobs. At a time when the Coronavirus Pandemic has led to massive destruction in job levels and communities, helping one another can go a long way in creating better overall economic conditions for everyone.

The Bottom Line

Sustainable energy becomes critical ammunition if we are to fight the growing dangers of Global Warming and Climate Change. With the polar ice caps melting at an alarming rate, scientists predict that we have only a few more years ahead of us to reverse the damage or see our beautiful planet get irreversibly destroyed. Moving to solar energy solutions and making the same popular and mainstream can go a long way towards helping the cause.

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5 Things To Keep In Mind During Solar Panel Installation At Your Commercial Premises

Businesses all over the world are always on the lookout for innovative solutions that can help them bring down costs. They look at using technologies, re-jigging their supply chains, and improving employee efficiency to become a better business organization.

In the last few years, a pioneering new technology has become a critical way for businesses to-

  • Lower their operations costs
  • Adopt newer technological solutions
  • Create the foundations of a Greener Company
  • Educate employees about the need for sustenance

Solar energy has helped many businesses and commercial premises avail of the above-mentioned benefits. In this article, we point out five things to keep in mind during solar panel installation at your commercial premises.

List of 5 Things to keep in mind during Solar Panel Installation at your Commercial Premises

  1. Experience of the Company Installing the Solar Panels-

The first and most important thing you need to consider is the level of experience of the company installing the solar panels. You also need to ensure that the company is certified by the local authorities. Checking for experience matters as solar technology and its related fields- panels, energy storage, etc. are complicated mechanisms that need expert installation.

  1. Checking for Tax Breaks and Benefits from Local Government Authorities-

In different parts of the world, governments are incentivizing businesses that are turning green. There are various policies and proposals in place that can help you get a substantial tax break on your business operations. You can always check with the government authorities and create the requisite paperwork to file for tax benefits in your city and state.

  1. The Quality of the Panels and the kind of Warranty it offers-

When opting for a panel, it is important to take into consideration the kind of panels you are going for. There are multiple variants that are available in the market today. Depending on your budget you can choose from the very expensive to the affordable. However, bear in mind that going for the cheapest option available is not such a good idea.

  1. Check for the Location of the Region where your Office is-

If you are located in a region that receives uninterrupted sunlight for multiple months in a year, then solar energy is a great option for your business. However, if you just see sunlight and warm temperatures for two or three months in a year, you might have to rethink your decision of installing solar panels. Geography matters a lot when installing solar energy solutions.

  1. Pay attention to the Mounting System for the Panels-

If your office is located in a region that sees a lot of hurricanes and storms, you might want to pay attention to the mounting system for the panels. You do not want the solar panels to come undone every time there is a storm or strong winds. Good mounting systems hold the panels in place and prevent them from getting uprooted during rough weather conditions.

Advantages of Installing Solar Panels for Commercial Premises

In this section, we are going to list down some key advantages of installing solar panels on commercial premises-

  • The first and most obvious advantage is lower energy costs. While the one-time investment cost might seem a bit on the higher side, opting for solar helps bring down long-term costs considerably. For businesses, it means lower operating costs.
  • Being a Green Business and doing your bit for the environment can help in positive marketing for the company. Everyone, from vendors to your end-customers wants to be associated with businesses that are clean and eco-friendly.
  • In terms of maintenance costs, servicing charges, and other additional expenditures, solar energy is much more cost-effective than traditional models. This means that here too, you will be saving heavily on your energy costs and requirements.
  • Commercial premises that have installed solar energy solutions have a higher market value than other properties that do not have them. As a business, you would want the valuation of your property to be on the higher side and solar energy solutions help.
  • Every business wants to be at the forefront of adopting newer technological models. This is where solar energy and its adoption can play a major role in giving the impression of your business as a tech-savvy one. This can boost publicity and marketing.

Final thoughts

In the last few years, solar panels, energy solutions, and appliances are gaining traction. In fact, in developed countries, this trend has now become much more mainstream. As awareness on issues of Global Warming and Climate Change grows, consumers would want to be associated and buy from companies that are responsible and believe in sustainable solutions. 

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