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In the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area, it is common for summer temperatures to be over 90° Fahrenheit, and freezing temperatures can occur in the winter. We rely on air conditioning to stay safe and cool, and heat to keep us warm when the temperature drops, but what happens when the power goes out? Unfortunately, power outages are not uncommon in Texas for several reasons, including extreme weather and strain on the power grid. In this blog post, Cote’s Mechanical will explore ways to help maintain your Dallas-Fort Worth home’s temperature when the power goes out.

Understanding the Challenges of Power Outages in Dallas-Fort Worth

Power Outage message on yellow warning road sign with stormy sky

Power outages anywhere present a challenge, particularly in places that see intense heat, like the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A loss of air conditioning there can be fatal. Extreme heat isn’t the only hazard you could face in a DFW area power outage; you may also encounter freezing temperatures.

Preparing Your DFW Home for an Electricity Outage

An electricity outage in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can be devastating. It’s essential to prepare for one before it happens. The following are steps you can take to prepare.

  • Make sure phones and devices are fully charged, along with any backup batteries.
  • If you have a traditional phone, have a cell phone as a backup.
  • Keep a charging bank fully charged.
  • Purchase canned food that doesn’t require water or cooking.
  • Stock up on disposable dinnerware so you don’t have to waste water cleaning dishes and cutlery.
  • Fill up plastic containers with water and place them in the freezer. These bottles can help food stay cold longer, and you can drink the water when the bottle thaws.
  • Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas or is fully charged if it is an EV in case you need to evacuate or relocate.
  • Have a supply of kindling and firewood if you have a wood stove or fireplace.
  • Winterize vehicles if it is that time of year.
  • In cold weather, close shut-off valves leading to outside faucets and drain any excess water out of the lines. Also, drain the lines in areas that aren’t heated, such as attics.

Effective Ways to Stay Warm Without Power

There are several ways to help stay warm when the power has gone out. The following are a few methods.

Caution: Never use an oven or stove to warm a house. Doing so is highly dangerous.

Dressing in Layers

Dressing in layers can help you find the right amount of clothing to wear. If you become too hot and sweat, that sweat can make your clothes wet—a potentially deadly situation in the cold.

Synthetic fabrics can help keep moisture away. Avoid wearing natural fabrics like hemp or cotton, as they soak up sweat.

Select a Place and Close it Off from the Rest of Your House

Smaller areas are easier to keep warm. When it gets really cold, you’ll want to try staying in just one room.

If you don’t know where the warmest room in your house is, try selecting an upstairs room that doesn’t have much contact with outside air or walls.

Selecting an area near (or including) kitchens or bathrooms may work well. However, you can store food in areas besides kitchens, and you won’t be able to use many kitchen appliances without power.

Please note: You don’t want to block all the air from entering your home, which is highly dangerous. While you don’t want to stop all outdoor air from entering, you’ll want to make it difficult for hot air to get out.

Now, you’ll set up your smaller living space. Block drafts at windows and under doors using towels or unused clothes. 

Sheets or blankets can hang over doorways (particularly if there is no door). If your entryway has wood on its sides that extends up to the ceiling, you could nail the sheet or blanket to the entryway. You could also use tape, but it may strip off paint.

If the weather is sunny, open window blinds/curtins to allow the sun to shine through and offer a little warmth to your home. If it isn’t sunny, keep the blinds/curtains shut for insulation. If you have a window-mounted air conditioner unit, cover it (be sure to remove the cover before it is used again!).

Unlike carpet, hard floor materials like tile and wood suck out the heat in a room, so those will need to be insulated. Blankets, clothing, and even mattresses can be used. Try to avoid coming into contact with cold surfaces. You can even set up a tent in the center of the room for greater warmth.

Keeping Cool During a Summer Power Outage

Given the dangers of the Dallas-Fort Worth heat, you must be able to cool yourself in the event of a power outage. There are a number of ways to keep cool when power goes out in the summer.

  • Wear loose and lightweight clothing.
  • Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and eating heavy meals.
  • Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to protect the contents better inside.
  • Shut any blinds or drapes on your residence’s sunny side.
  • Look into buying battery-powered fans.
  • Utilize natural ventilation.
  • If you have a basement, go into it. Since basements are rare in the Dallas – Forth Worth area, go to the coolest level of your home if possible. Look into going to air-conditioned public spaces during the heat of the day.
  • If needed, go to an emergency cooling shelter.
  • Look out for friends and relatives, particularly children, senior citizens, and people with medical conditions. They may need to go to emergency cooling shelters. 
  • Wet sheets or towels with cool water and wipe your neck, face, and arms.
  • If you have access to cool water, take cool baths or showers.

Using Alternative Power Sources Safely

Alternative power sources can be a helpful way to keep the power on during power outages. However, if misused, they can be dangerous and even lethal. Because of the risks of carbon monoxide, it is vital that you have a working carbon monoxide detector. 

The following are a few ways to stay safe when using alternative power sources.

Portable Diesel or Gas-Powered Electrical Generators

Only operate these outdoors, given the dangerous exhaust they produce. You can connect them temporarily to limited electrical equipment in the home, such as heaters or freezers, via correctly sized extension cords. Please be aware that portable generators are different from large backup generators, which are capable of powering homes or businesses. When positioning generators that burn fossil fuels outside your home, place them over 20 feet away, and be sure they are kept away from open doors or windows with the exhaust aimed away from the building.

Portable Propane Heaters for Indoor Use

Portable propane heaters designed for indoor use should have an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS). Never use a portable propane heater without an oxygen depletion sensor in an enclosed area. When using a portable heating device or a lighting device with an open flame, always leave a window or door slightly open to allow for ventilation.

Tips for Managing HVAC Systems During Power Outages

A woman adjusts the AC temperature while her husband looks on.

Power outages can be unexpected, or you may have an idea that one is on its way. Either way, you must take steps to protect your HVAC system and home.

Before Power Goes Out

If you know or suspect ahead of time that you will lose power, such as a planned power outage or an incoming storm, there is action you should take to help protect your HVAC system.

Shut off your HVAC unit at both the circuit breaker and the thermostat. This protects the motor and wiring from an overload.

Unexpected Power Outages

Sometimes, you might not expect the power to go out. If that occurs, shut off your HVAC unit at the breaker and thermostat. This protects against HVAC damaging power surges when power returns.

After Power has Returned

  • Keep the HVAC circuit breaker off for 30 minutes after the power has returned. Doing that gives the power time to stabilize. 
  • Check if the thermostat works correctly. Often, a power outage may reset digital thermometers. Check if the display turns on and the settings are correct. 
  • Look to see if an HVAC-related circuit breaker has been tripped. A tripped circuit breaker switch will be in the middle (neutral position.) The circuit breaker switch may be labeled something like HVAC, heat pump, or air conditioning. If the circuit breakers aren’t labeled, look to see if any have been tripped.
  • If multiple circuit breakers have been tripped. This can indicate deeper electrical problems. Contact a reputable electrician immediately.
  • To reset a tripped HVAC-related breaker. Put the switch in the “OFF” position, then put it in the “ON” position. Wait 30 minutes to give the breaker time to reset itself before you turn the thermostat back on.

Contact an HVAC Professional if you encounter the following problems:

  • HVAC circuit breakers continue to trip. Don’t reset them again, as this may overload and fry the HVAC system.
  • The HVAC system or thermostat doesn’t turn back on. 
  • The HVAC system comes back on, but strange noises or smells come from it. Shut off the HVAC system and call an HVAC professional.

Essential Supplies for Temperature Control During DFW Power Outages

Power outages in the Dallas – Fort Worth area can mean you’ll be dealing with extreme heat or even freezing temperatures for prolonged periods of time. Before that happens, it is vital to get the essential supplies you need to help stay safe.

Keeping the supplies you need in a centralized location means you won’t have to scour a dark home in a power outage looking for them.

Make an Outage Kit

By preparing an outage kit, you can be better prepared to handle a loss of power.

Extra batteries are necessary to have on hand, as they can power essential electronics such as battery-powered fans

  • Plenty of drinking water
  • A battery-operated radio
  • Flashlights
  • Emergency water supplies
  • Easy to prepare, non-perishable foods
  • Manual (non-electric) bottle and can openers
  • Camping equipment
  • Cellphone and laptop chargers
  • A cooler
  • Matches, lighters, and candles
  • A portable heater (gas or oil)
  • Pillows and blankets
  • Money
  • Personal hygiene products and medications
  • A non-cordless phone
  • First aid kit
  • Pet supplies
  • Fire extinguishers, a smoke detector, and a carbon monoxide detector
  • Family and emergency contact information
  • Toilet paper, baby wipes, and hand sanitizer
  • Cards, books, or games

Preventative Measures to Protect Your Home

High voltage electricity towers on field at sunset.

When power outages occur, it is a good idea to turn off and unplug electrical appliances and equipment, such as computers and televisions. Sometimes, the power comes back on in surges, potentially causing damage to electronics. If all your electronics are on and plugged in when the power comes back on, it may cause circuits to overload.

When the power comes back on, turn on a light to indicate it. After waiting a few minutes, turn on equipment and appliances one at a time.

Before operating a standby generator, use a transfer safety switch or directly connect the appliance or appliances to the generator output through an isolated circuit before using it. This prevents dangerous “back feed,” which is when the electricity goes backward through a powerline. Back feed is dangerous for people near power lines, especially for utility crews working to repair lines.

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