How to Protect Your Appliances in a Storm

Severe weather can mean severe damage to your appliances, particularly if whipping winds, lightning, heavy snow or rain knocks out your power. When power is restored it can cause a surge—a sky-high spike of electrical juice from the power lines that fries the electrical wiring inside your appliances. To protect your major appliance during the next storm, be prepared using these easy-to-do tips.


If the power goes out,

Turn off and unplug your appliances. Particularly important is the furnace, water heater, sump pump, air conditioner, dryer, refrigerator, and anything with an electric motor. Power surges can ruin or shorten the life of any appliance that’s left plugged into an outlet.
NOTE: If your basement is flooded, don’t try to unplug any of the appliances stored down there.

If you have ample warning, turn your refrigerator and freezer to high and allow to cool before the storm arrives. Unplug the appliance when the storm hits.
Move milk, cheese, cold cuts and yogurt into the freezer, which will stay cold longer than the refrigerator. Be sure to keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to prevent cold air from escaping. Throw a large blanket or comforter over the refrigerator to keep it insulated and save foods from spoiling.
NOTE: A full freezer can keep meat frozen up to 48 hours. Fill a partially empty freezer with water bottles to take up any available space.


If it’s cold outside, shut off the valve that lets water into your home and open faucets slightly. The dripping water will keep your sink’s pipes from freezing if the power remains out for a long period of time. Turn off the emergency switch on your furnace and drain your boiler by opening the valve at the bottom. Also, open all radiator vents.
NOTE: The water in your hot water heater should stay warm for a few days without power. But if the power outage continues for a few days, and the temperature outside is below freezing, drain the hot water heater to avoid freezing.

If you have a generator, don’t plug more appliances into it than the generator can handle. Use only heavy-duty, outdoor power cords to connect the appliance to the generator.
When appliance power is restored.


Shut off appliances before turning off the generator.
Wait 15 minutes, then plug appliances in one by one and turn on.
Fill the boiler with water then restart.
Reset the refrigerator and freezer thermostats back to their normal setting.
When you have electrical issues with your AC, heating or Appliances, consider hiring a professional. It will save you money in the long run. Call us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the same day Misalem, MI Appliance repair. You will be glad you did it: