Need to Know Info: The Cost of Power Outage Damage

The damage from a storm can be extensive. Sure, the obvious expenses associated with home and vehicle damage quickly come to mind. But, when the power goes out, your costs will quickly escalate. The good news is power outage damage is preventable. All you need is a reliable generator installed and serviced by a trusted provider. This simple step can provide significant financial relief, ensuring you don’t have to bear the brunt of unexpected expenses.  So, don’t let the risk of power outage damage go overlooked and underestimated. 

Understanding Power Outage Damage

The effects of power outages on households can be devastating. Even as little as four hours without power can result in rising financial losses due to food spoilage. After all, we all know how much the prices of groceries have risen in recent years. As time passes, more long-term power outages may require evacuation and costs associated with travel or hotel stays. Plus, long-term power outages can have devastating effects on property, such as bursting pipes or electrical surges. Understanding these potential damages is crucial to feeling informed and prepared. 

Let’s take a deeper look at the effects of power outages on households financially. 

Food Spoilage

Consider how long before food spoils in a power outage; the answer to this can have a big impact on the initial costs incurred from a power outage. According to the CDC, if you do not open the door to your refrigerator, the food can stay safe for up to four hours without power. But beyond four hours, perishable foods such as meat, eggs, and leftovers will need to be thrown out. When it comes to the freezer, how long before food spoils in a power outage depends a lot on how it looks and feels. If freezer foods thaw entirely, they usually need to be thrown out. However, if the temperature feels cold (as if it was just taken from the refrigerator) and there are visible ice crystals, it is likely still appropriate for preparation and consumption. So, take a moment to consider the contents of your refrigerator and freezer. What would it cost to replace those items? The price is easily $250-500, depending on your food preferences and the power outage length. Still, this price beats getting sick from spoiled food. Ultimately, if you’re unsure about any food’s safety, throw it out. Don’t add doctor bills to your already rising grocery bill. 

Outage Supplies

Beyond knowing how long before food spoils in a power outage, consider the additional costs incurred for the supplies you will need to have on hand in the event of an emergency. If the temperatures are cold outside, it won’t be long before it gets cold in the house. So, stock up on blankets and even a tent, which can trap the warmth in a smaller space. You also need to plan for non-perishable food items and emergency flashlights. Again, these items can quickly add up.

Evacuation

In the event of an extended power outage, it may become necessary to evacuate your home. Then, you will incur the costs associated with travel, overnight stays, and eating out. With hotel stays averaging $161 per night and meals averaging $11-$20 per person, you can expect these costs to stack up. 

Home Repairs

In some of the most devastating instances, power outage damage has resulted in costly home repairs. When the weather is extreme and the power goes out, that also means the AC and heat stop operating. In cold temperatures, this can lead to freezing pipes. Fixing burst pipes can easily cost $10,000, and that doesn’t count the remodel costs associated with flooding. Fixing the kitchen after a burst pipe or remodeling the basement after a sump pump failure could easily cost $20,000. Any untreated water damage could result in mold, which will later have remediation costs of up to $30,000. 

Of course, not all repairs are this costly. Sometimes, more minor issues arise, such as a power surge, which may cause an appliance to fail. So, you could be looking at $5,000 to replace the refrigerator, washer, or dryer following the outage.  

Now, let’s consider how common it is for these power outage crises to occur. 

The Odds of Power Outage Damage

Sure, any of this is possible, right? But how common is it? Well, Briggs & Stratton did a study to determine how many people are impacted by these common expenses. According to the study, 40% of respondents incurred costs due to spoiled food, 29% reported expenses related to emergency supplies, 13% experienced financial loss due to missed work time or productivity, and 11% reported costly repairs due to home damage. 

The reality is that it’s hard to predict the financial devastation caused by the effects of power outages on households. But why gamble on being in the 11% making costly home repairs?

Financial hardship due to power outage damage can strike anyone. In another study by Kohler, it was reported that “power outages cost American households $250 billion annually.” Causes of these outages are most commonly associated with weather, including rain/wind, lightning, cold, fire, and ice storms. However, outages can also result from equipment failure, voltage reduction, or supply shortage. 

Don’t let these unpredictable and costly challenges catch you by surprise. Choose a solution that prevents power outage damage and has a price you can plan for – choose generator installation. 

Prepare with a Premier Partner

A generator can prevent power outage damage by seamlessly restoring power to your home. Briggs & Stratton, Generac, and Kohler are trusted brands with products that fit each customer’s unique needs. Whether you need a standby generator for select appliances or a whole home standby generator system, Bo’s Electric is your premier partner for installing and servicing generators from these trusted brands. 

Choosing the right generator can be easy with Bo’s Electric’s guidance. Together, you can consider factors such as property layout, service panel location, and priority lights/appliances for backup. Based on your needs, Bo’s Electric will deliver a customized installation plan with transparent pricing. That’s why Bo’s Electric’s clients never worry about the effects of power outages on households.

Preventing Power Outage Damage

When a crisis looms, there’s a lot to consider – how long before food spoils in a power outage, potential damage to your home,  and personal safety. But you can avoid all these headaches with a little crisis planning. 

Prevent power outage damage by installing a generator designed to meet your needs. Your trusted generator experts at Bo’s Electric are ready to provide a quote on the best generator to protect your safety and personal assets. It’s time to choose a generator with expert guidance from Bo’s Electrics to avoid unforeseen financial burdens and feel more secure about your household’s safety.