![How to Prepare for A Freeze [Complete Guide]](http://www.jackery.com/cdn/shop/articles/ac62162bb2f33ba0002ffe3e5c23e296.png?v=1715670792)
Critical conditions during a freeze have recently been highlighted in the US statewide. Along with listening and understanding weather forecasts, it is also essential to make sure you are correctly insulating your home; there is enough protection of water pipes, you can locate the water shut-off valve, clean your gutters, and keep an emergency kit ready to prepare for a freeze. It is essential to get ready for unprecedented winter storms and know how to prepare for a freeze.
One of the vital components of freeze preparedness is the Jackery Solar Generators. These provide a dependable and sustainable power source to ensure safety and minimize disruption during extreme cold weather. During extended power cuts, the generators provide continuous energy to appliances like heaters and refrigerators and help maintain resilience against the challenges.
Understanding Freeze Facts
In Texas, all 254 counties were warned under a winter storm warning, which happened for the first time in the state's history. On the morning of 15 Feb 2021 in Dallas, 100 cars were piled up on Interstate 35 westbound, and as much as half-inch ice was reported. The same month, Dallas gathered and picked up 5 inches of snow, making itself the seventh snowiest month of all time.
In February, Dallas was coldest in over seven decades and spent 232 hours at a freezing temperature of -2 degrees. At George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the National Weather Service in Houston issued its first-ever Wind chill warning. These conditions caused the death of 246 people in Texas due to hypothermia and frostbite, and about 4 million people lost electricity at some point during the storm.
Freeze can happen when the temperature falls below 36°F, and this phenomenon can be variable across a small area. When the temperature drops below 32°F, frost becomes more widespread. A hard freeze occurs when temperatures drop below 28°F. Here are some conditions that can lead to frost or freeze:
Clear sky: It leads to radiational cooling, allowing heat to exit the atmosphere.
Calm and light winds: They prevent the stirring of the atmosphere and allow a layer of cool temperature to develop at the surface. This super-cool temperature can be up to 10 degrees cooler.
Cool Temperatures: Cool temperature with moisture gives rise to ice crystals. If the freezing temperatures can cool to the dew point, frost could develop on exposed surfaces.
Topography: If the topography has valleys, cold air will settle since cold air is heavier than warm air. Topography has a significant role in determining where the frost will develop. Valleys also protect the area from strong winds, enhancing the potential for frost.
How to Prepare for A Freeze?
To prepare for freezing weather, it is essential to take combined actions that benefit you, your family, and your neighbors. Here are some tips for preparing for a freeze:
Understand The Freeze Weather Reports
Keep checking the forecast on the official government site or in a weather app, station, etc. Checking the weather forecast should be part of your routine so that you will know when to expect unfavorable situations. Understanding the freezing weather reports by getting familiar with the forecast layout, understanding weather symbols and icons, and analyzing temperature ranges and humidity levels is essential.
Make Sure Your Home Is Properly Insulated
This would be the first step in getting prepared before a freeze occurs. Consider checking your home insulation on your to-do list, or you can have your energy company audit your home.
Protect The Water Pipes
Taking care of your home’s pipes is one of the most important things if you are a homeowner in Texas. You can insulate the indoor pipes in unheated areas, as those can be exposed to cold air in your garage and basement. Pipe-wrap insulation is inexpensive and readily available. Another alternative is using heat tape that can run the length of your pipes. You can similarly insulate outdoor pipes and additionally drain and store water hoses. You can use outdoor faucet covers to cover the hose faucet.
Locate The Water Shut-off Valve And Your Water Meter
If a pipe bursts during a freeze, you may need to turn off the water shut-off valve. In Texas, these valves are located in front lawns, garages, near water heaters, or crawl spaces. Check your city's water department regulations if you cannot use a shut-off valve. If there are restrictions on shutting the water off, you can call the water department emergency number for help.
Clean Out Your Gutters
Gutters full of debris and leaves can increase ice formation on your roof, leading to ice dams and thermal shock caused by ice melting. As repairing this might be costly, you should clean your gutters before a freeze.
Prepare The Emergency Supply Kit
A potential emergency supply kit should include a backpack to hold your supplies, non-perishable food, first-aid supplies, personal sanitation supplies, an emergency small backup generator like the Jackery Solar Generators, a toolkit, a NOAA weather radio, important documents, a space heater, etc. Also, check the antifreeze levels in your car and add freeze-resistant windshield wiper fluid.
Research Insurance Coverage
Once you get your home ready, check whether your home rental insurance covers the damages caused by a freeze. Put the right questions before your agent, such as accidental water damage and food spoilage. If your policy covers water damage, it will cover the damage caused by pipes during a freeze. Also, during a freeze, if the insurance company covers your power loss, the company may pay a certain amount back. The food stored in the refrigerator might get spoiled during a power cut, so document it with photos and lists.
Don’t Leave Your Home Without Turning The Heat On And The Water Off
If you plan to leave your town, turn the heat on, shut the water off using the shut-off valve, and drain the system. This significantly reduces the chance of pipe bursting while you are not in the town.
Jackery Solar Generators for Emergencies
With a mission to bring green energy to all, Jackery emerges as a leading global manufacturer of solar generators, portable power stations, and solar panels. Be it an emergency or a prolonged power cut due to unforeseen weather situations, Jackery covers it all. It powers the needs and inspires every nature lover to seek safe and extraordinary experiences inside their home.
Jackery Solar Generator is a renewable and eco-friendly power solution for emergency backups. It can be an integral part of your emergency kit at home or outdoors, especially if you live in unpredictable and unfavorable weather conditions. It can charge multiple devices without emitting toxic gases, eventually leading to safe functionality without environmental harm. This solar power system has high solar conversion and combines a portable power station with solar panels.
The Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels capture solar energy and store it in a solar battery or the Jackery Portable Power Station. The sun's energy is then converted into DC electrical energy. The portable power station has a built-in inverter that converts DC into AC and power multiple devices.
During a freeze, the temperature may drop to as low as -2 degrees, and in extreme cases, there might also be an extended power cut. In these scenarios, you may need a consistent power supply like the Jackery Solar Generators to charge your space heater, microwave, refrigerator, flashlight, and other crucial devices. Jackery Solar Generator has the advantage of being adaptable to unforeseen weather conditions.
Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro
The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro is a reliable and intelligent power solution to cover most of your electricity needs during a freeze. It can charge 99% of your appliances for a relatively long time, making it an ideal power supply for home emergencies.
It is resilient in cold temperatures and can back you up for blackouts. It can charge heavy appliances like refrigerators, heaters, microwaves, TVs, and phones. When appliances are charged with the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro, the working hours of a 520W refrigerator are around 4.94 hours, and for an 1800W heater, it is 1.42 hours. For a 960W microwave, it is 2.67 hours, and for a 29W phone, the working hours are 88.63 hours.
Customer Review
“This machine is amazing. It's a great alternative to propane and gas. It's quiet and solar charging capable. I recommend it to everyone!” -- Ben Ceralde
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus is versatile for various scenarios, powering heavy-duty devices. It can work at its total capacity in below-freezing weather, charging multiple devices. It doesn't take longer for a total solar charge and is ideal for off-grid living during a freeze.
Some of the devices that the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus can charge include laptops, kettles, coffee makers, electric ovens, and angle grinders. The working hours of a 60W laptop are 28.93 hours, those of an 850W kettle are around 2.04 hours, those of an 800W electric oven are 2.17 hours, and those of a 400W angle grinder are 4.34 hours.
Customer Review
“ Set up on a partly sunny day to test and perform well. Operated various appliances, including a mid-sized electric heater. Performed as expected. Purchased for emergencies, and I believe it will do the job.” -- Julie Botsko
Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)
The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) combines a battery pack and Jackery SolarSaga Solar Panels, providing an expandable power capacity. It can elevate your off-grid living experience during a freeze and keep you power-ready during home emergencies or blackouts.
You can rest easy when your appliances, such as a space heater, electric grill, TV, coffee maker, oven, etc., are plugged into the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh). A 550W coffee maker, when charged with the Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh), will have working hours of around 3.15 hours. Similarly, for a refrigerator of 500W, the working hours are 3.47 hours, and for an electric grill of 1700W, it is 1.02 hours.
Customer Review
“Give an extra pack for power and double my time.” -- Robert D. Phaturos Jr
What Should You Do During A Freeze?
During the cold chiller months, temperatures can drop rapidly, and battling cold can be brutal, especially for your home. Although homes are built to withstand the elements, when the elements exceed the normal limits, you could find yourself dealing with troubles. With the help of some basic strategy and planning, you can mitigate the risk and protect your home from winter woes. Here are some essential tips you should consider:
Be powered by a generator: During a freeze, power cuts are expected for days and weeks. This may lead to unusual and troublesome circumstances, like food spoilage. With a reliable and sustainable backup power source like the Jackery Solar Generators, you can power your devices in no time and use them for an extended duration.
Continue to protect the pipes: Check your outdoor faucets and hoses before the temperature drops, as they could quickly freeze and burst. While checking the pipes outside, take a minute to clean the gutters. In these spots, ice formation happens commonly and can cause significant damage. Whether inside or outside, if any pipe is exposed to the element, identify and insulate it.
Maintain your thermostat and keep the house warm: If winter is already settled in, check out your furnace. You can also schedule an inspection to ensure it runs correctly if required. You can prefer to install a new air filter to confirm the thermostat is working correctly. Keep sufficient wood and coal to ensure your oil tank is full.
What Should You Do After A Freeze?
Once you have learned how to prepare your home for a freeze, the next crucial step is to know what to do after a freeze. You can follow these simple yet helpful tips for the same:
Conduct a walk-through: If you feel your pipes have burst, check over your home vigilantly. Also, check the laundry room, kitchen, bathroom, basements, garages, and static. Check for wet spots on the walls and ceiling, or listen to unusual clanks or banging sounds.
Turn on the water and run the faucets: The next step is ensuring your plumbing works. Turn on the faucets in each room and let them run for some time. Check for water discoloration and odor, and flush toilets to ensure no issues.
Double-check the leaks: You can use your water meter to double-check your leaks and ensure your pipes are in good condition. Some leaks can be small and hard to find initially, but they can compound over time. Turn off the faucets, dishwasher, and washing machine, read the meter and note the reading, wait for 30 minutes, and re-check the reading on the meter.
Inspect the roof: Avoid going on the roof if it is frozen. Once everything is thawed, ensure that water hasn’t pooled at places on your roof.
How to thaw frozen pipes: To thaw frozen pipes after the storm, open all the faucets in the house. Keep them open if you suspect the pipe is frozen, as the water flowing will help to melt the ice in the pipe. Call a licensed plumber if you cannot detect the frozen area. You can also apply heat to the frozen part of the pipe by using a heating pad, electric dryer, or space heater. Avoid using a propane heater or charcoal stove to thaw the pipe.
How to Prepare for a Freeze FAQs
What size of solar generator do I need for a freeze?
Solar generators are sustainable solutions that also benefit the environment because they provide backup power whenever you need it. Maintaining a backup plan for charging your appliances is essential if you live in a freeze-prone area; this requires knowing the precise dimensions of the solar generator. The precise size of the solar generator you require depends on how many appliances you wish to charge and how long you want to charge them.
For example, the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro can charge a refrigerator (520W) and a space heater (1500W),
Working Time = Capacity in Wh × 0.85 / Operating wattage of the appliances.
So, Working time = 3024Wh × 0.85 / 2020W = 1.27 H.
Note: Multiplied by 0.85 because there will be some power loss while charging devices.
How do you prepare well for freezing weather?
To prepare well for freezing weather, allow warm air to circulate the water pipes, set your thermostat, let the indoor taps drip, and cover vents around your home, if any,
What not to do during a freeze?
During a freeze, you should not keep your garage door open, should not bring your grills inside, and should not keep your valve inaccessible.
How do you prepare for a deep freeze?
To prepare for a deep freeze, you can guard your home against heat loss, clear the gutters to prevent ice damming, prepare your modes of water transport, and clean chimneys.
Should I drain my house before it freezes?
To drain your house before it freezes, you can shut off the main supply valve and open all the faucets.
Final Thoughts
It is crucial to prepare for freezing to safeguard homes and communities from severe impacts. An effective strategy is required to understand how to prepare for a freeze. This may include understanding weather reports, insulating homes and pipes both inside and outside, and having an emergency kit for food, vehicles, and power outages. It is equally important to inspect your home for damages and restore normalcy. To mitigate risks during the freeze and provide comfort to your home and family members, you can choose reliable power solutions like Jackery Solar Generators for continuous energy supply.
We have a Jackery 1000 that my husband put outdoors, in a protected place, to power the heat tape wrapped around the pipes of our well. There is also a thick insulated cover over the well, with the heat tape obviously on the pipes underneath. I just went out there, it was fully charged last night and now it shows 66% power — suggesting that it’s been doing the job properly. Question: will it hurt our Jackery 1000 to have it outside when temperatures are in the teens?
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