Storms are one of the most common reasons that the electricity gets knocked out in the winter. Frigid temperatures paired with ice and snow can be disastrous for power lines and transformers. They can also wreak havoc on your home.

No storm in the forecast is good, but it’s important to know the difference between types of winter storms so that you can properly prepare. In this post, we’re taking a closer look at winter storms and how they compare to blizzards.

Types of Winter Storms

It turns out winter storm is a blanket term for several types of storms that occur in the winter. There are four types of winter storms:

Snowstorm

Anytime rain turns into snow it’s considered a snowstorm. Snow forms when the air between the clouds and ground is 32°F or less. There are three types of snowstorms based on the amount of snowfall:

• Snow Flurries – This is a light snowstorm with very little snow accumulation on the ground, if any.
• Snow Showers – Storms that produce enough snow to accumulate on the ground are known as snow showers.
• Snow Squalls – When gusts of wind are accompanied by significant snow accumulation it’s considered a snow squall. 

Ice Storm

When a storm involves ice formation it might be considered an ice storm. To be a full-fledged ice storm there must be ice accumulation on everything outside and it has to be at least a quarter of an inch thick. Be extremely careful during an ice storm. In these conditions, power lines can break free due to the weight of the ice. 

Lake Effect Storms

If you live near the Great Lakes you may have experienced a lake effect storm. This is when winds from the north blow moisture from the lakes up into the air causing heavy snow to fall in the southern and eastern regions around the lakes. 

Blizzards

A blizzard is a type of winter storm that tends to be more severe. In the next section, we’ll go into more detail about what makes a blizzard different than other types of winter storms.

What Turns a Winter Storm Into a Blizzard

Blizzards are the most severe type of winter storm. They are so serious the National Weather Service has a special set of winter storm warnings for blizzards. 

While other winter storms are identified by the amount of ice and snowfall they produce, blizzards are determined by how strong the winds are during the storm. A blizzard will have sustained winds of 35 miles per hour or more. 

A blizzard will also involve heavy snowfall and what’s known as blowing snow. Blowing snow is snow that is either falling or is loose on the ground and is being kicked up by the wind. As the snow drifts through the air it decreases visibility. During a blizzard, visibility is reduced to just a quarter mile or less. 

The hard-blowing wind and decreased visibility are what make blizzards so dangerous. These dangerous conditions last 3+ hours and leave massive amounts of snow on the ground.

Essential Steps for Winter Storm Preparation

Getting through a winter storm is all about preparation. The more prepared you are the less likely it is that your home will be damaged. Here are five things every homeowner should do to prepare for the winter storm season.

Know the NOAA Warning System

Familiarize yourself with the NOAA winter weather warning system so you know what different issuances mean. There are:

• Winter Storm Watches
• Blizzard Watches
• Winter Weather Advisory
• Freezing Rain Advisory
• Winter Storm Warning
• Ice Storm Warning
• Blizzard Warning

Outfit Your Car and Home With Emergency Supplies

FEMA and other disaster relief agencies recommend always having a first aid kit at home and in your car. You’ll also need to keep an ice scraper, hand broom, small bag of sand, road flares, and traction mats, or tire chains in your vehicle. 

Winterize Your Home 

Winterizing your home will help mitigate the freezing temperatures outside, reduce the risk of burst pipes and decrease the likelihood of a tree branch falling on your roof. 

Winterize Your Vehicle

Your vehicle is vital during a winter storm because you may need to evacuate. Vehicle weatherization ensures your car can safely make it down the road when the temperature drops below freezing. 

Have the HVAC System Serviced

When winter storms are a real threat the last thing you want is to have the heat go out in your home. HVAC servicing from a professional assured that everything is in good working condition before a storm hits.

At Provider Power we’re here for you during the winter storm season with energy plans that are reliable. Find out if Provider Power energy plans are available in your area! 

You may have noticed that every winter there seems to be a condensation issue around the windows. All of a sudden your dry window is dripping wet for apparently no reason. Now water is puddling on the window sill and dripping down the wall in a wet mess.  

What causes condensation to form on windows? Is it an indicator of a bigger problem? And what can be done to stop it? Let’s find out!

What Causes Condensation

Condensation is a result of warm, humid air hitting a cold surface. When that happens the air turns to liquid because the quickly cooling warm air can’t hold the moisture. Condensation can also occur when humidity levels are simply too high inside.

Windows are the prime spot for condensation in the winter because the glass is cooled by direct contact with the outside air. Also, the water has nowhere to go on glass. It beads up making the condensation obvious.

Is Condensation a Problem?

Condensation isn’t something that you want to see for a few reasons. For starters, it creates a mess. But anytime moisture is involved it could lead to mold and mildew problems that are much more difficult to deal with. The health of family members can even be impacted if mold and mildew start to grow.

When condensation isn’t wiped up it can soak into porous surfaces. The moisture can eventually damage wood and fabric beyond repair. Homeowners are lucky if all they have to do is repaint to get rid of water stains. If the problem isn’t addressed eventually drywall can be damaged, wood can rot and structural weakness can occur.

An indirect problem with condensation is higher energy costs. In the morning, windows with condensation are fogged up. Instead of the sunlight coming through the window and helping warm your home, the heat is used to evaporate the condensation. 

The other problem with this is that when the condensation is evaporated the moisture goes back into the air. This makes humidity levels inside higher, which makes the condensation problem worse. 

If you see condensation it’s an indicator that you have a weak spot in the home’s insulating envelope. It’s also a sign there are humidity problems inside. 

How to Stop Condensation From Forming

Condensation is a problem that won’t go away on its own. If left unchecked, condensation can do serious damage. Plus, it can negatively impact your health if it causes mildew and mold to form. For those reasons, condensation should be addressed immediately.

Stop the condensation drip with these simple tips. 

Use a Dehumidifier

If high humidity levels are to blame for the condensation a dehumidifier can help. There is dehumidifying equipment that can be installed within the HVAC system, but the simpler and cheaper option is to use a portable dehumidifier. Use it in the room where you see condensation to see if it makes a difference.

LEARN MORE: Do Humidifiers Use a Lot of Electricity? 

Use Vents

Anytime you shower or when you are cooking, turn on the exhaust fan. It will help draw moist air out of the home to keep humidity levels low. 

Don’t Dry Clothes Inside

Even though it’s cold outside, don’t dry your clothes inside.  Doing so can release up to 5 pints of moisture into the air.

Look for Water Leaks

Water leaks in the home are another common moisture source that can raise humidity levels. Do a thorough check throughout the entire home to look for signs of a water leak. Pay careful attention to pipes that bring water into the house.

Depending on the issue at hand you may need to take more in-depth measures to control condensation. For example, if you have a basement and humidity is an issue there’s a good chance the basement needs to be insulated. If you take all of the standard measures to reduce humidity inside and there’s still a condensation problem you may need to call in a pro to locate the source of the problem. 
At Provider Power we can’t solve your humidity problems, but we can help you keep your home nice and warm this winter for a fixed rate. Check our selection of electricity plans in New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts.

When we’re cooped up inside with the heater blasting in the winter, the air inside can become uncomfortably dry. That’s about the time the humidifier comes out. 

The air definitely feels more comfortable, but will your wallet pay the price when the electricity bill comes? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) wondered the same thing. A few years ago the EPA released their residential humidifier scoping report. In it the agency noted humidifiers only account for 0.11% of overall electricity use. 

That’s a pretty small percentage, but keep in mind that is an average. There are a few things that affect how much electricity a humidifier uses starting with the type of humidifier you have.

Electricity Consumption of Different Types of Humidifiers

Exactly how much electricity a humidifier uses will largely depend on what type of humidifier you’re using. There are two categories of humidifiers: portable and whole house.

Portable Humidifier

The vast majority of humidifiers are portable. This simply means they are small standalone units that can be moved around from room to room. You’ll enjoy more flexibility, but the tradeoff with portable humidifiers is they treat a limited space. Very rarely a portable humidifier is powerful enough to treat a small home.

Portable humidifiers have a small tank of water that will need to be replaced. They work by plugging into a 120V electric outlet.

The options break down further to three different types of portable humidifiers: 

Ultrasonic

Energy Used: 44 kWh

Savings estimate for energy-efficient model: 11.8 kWh per year / $1.36 annual savings

An ultrasonic humidifier has a piezo-electric device inside that eliminates the need for heating. However, it does rely on a fan to push vapor out.

Cool Misting 

Energy Used: 80 kWh

Savings estimate for energy-efficient model: 36.2 kWh per year / $4.17 annual savings

Cool misting humidifiers are the most popular type. About half of the humidifiers in the U.S. are cool misting. This type of humidifier has an internal fan blowing water up to a diffuser that creates a mist.

Warm Misting

Energy Used: 220 kWh

Savings estimate for energy-efficient model: 80.1 kWh per year / $9.22 annual savings

A warm misting humidifier has a heating component within the reservoir that warms the water before releasing it as a mist.

Whole House Humidifier

A whole house humidifier is a complex system that requires professional installation. The humidifier is installed in the ductwork so that up to 6,000 square feet of space can be humidified using a humidistat. One cost consideration is that the filter for the humidifier must be changed every six months. 

There are three types of whole house humidifiers:

Bypass

Energy Used: 0

Savings estimate for energy-efficient model: N/A

Bypass humidifiers have a pad that is sprayed with water. The airflow from the HVAC system passes over the pad adding vapor to the air. Therefore, no extra power is required to run the humidifier, but you’ll only feel the effects when the HVAC system is on.

Fan-Powered

Energy Used: 108 kWh

Savings estimate for energy-efficient model: 15.2 kWh per year / $1.75 annual savings

A reservoir of water in the humidifier is exposed to airflow from the HVAC system, but there’s also a fan in the humidifier that will create airflow if the HVAC system isn’t running.

Steam

Energy Used: 1.915 kWh

Savings estimate for energy-efficient model: 426.7 kWh per year / $49.11 annual savings

A heating element heats a reservoir of water that evaporates. The vapor is sprayed into the airflow of the HVAC system.

The Setting You Use Matters Too

The next thing that can affect humidifier energy use is the settings that you use. Most humidifiers give you various power levels. Typically there is a high, medium and low setting as well as a way to create a relative humidity setting.

Setting the humidifier to high rather than low will make the appliance work harder and use more energy. It may be best to use the relative humidity setting if you have the option. That way the humidifier only runs when it’s needed.

How Humidifiers Help You Reduce Energy Use

Now for the really good news. A humidifier can actually help reduce energy use. When the humidity is just right (30-50% relative humidity) it feels more comfortable inside a home even if you don’t touch the thermostat. 

In the winter you may feel so comfortable that you keep the temperature a few degrees lower. When air is humidified it feels warmer. That’s why in the summer higher temperatures plus higher humidity can feel really uncomfortable.

Provider Power can help you keep your humidifier running year-round for a fixed rate. We’re an industry-leading electricity provider located throughout the northeast. Find available energy plans in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.

We’ve all experienced a power outage and all of the inconveniences that go along with it. For some people, being without electricity for even an hour can actually be a health hazard. But if there’s a power outage from a natural disaster, storm or accident, a standby generator can be an invaluable energy source when you need it most.

Standby generators, also known as stationary generators, are designed to provide temporary power for appliances, lights and other essentials in a home. Most standby generators generate electricity by tapping into the natural gas line or using a whole-house propane tank. They will automatically come on and start providing electricity the moment the power goes out. 

A standby generator can be a lifesaver during a power outage, but it can also be a danger if it isn’t used properly. Here’s some helpful advice from the experts on how to safely use a standby generator. 

Safety Concerns Associated With Standby Generators

In general, standby generators are relatively safe. That said, they are still a complex piece of equipment that runs on gas and generates electricity. Because of this, there are four primary safety concerns associated with standby generators.

Carbon Monoxide

The biggest safety hazard to watch out for when using any kind of generator is carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is colorless and odorless. It’s produced any time gas is burned. If a person breathes in carbon monoxide it can be deadly. Carbon monoxide is also highly flammable and can create an explosion. 

Electric Shock

Any time you are dealing with equipment that produces electricity, electric shock is a possibility. Standby generators are built with weatherproof housing to safely operate out in the elements, but precautions should always be taken if it’s raining or the generator is wet. 

Fire

Like electric shock, fire is another safety hazard related to electricity. As noted above, carbon monoxide from the natural gas supply can pose a serious fire risk. 

Overloading

The other serious concern with using standby generators is overloading the unit. Overloading is when you exceed the load capacity for the generator. It can completely fry your standby generator as well as the appliances and equipment that are plugged in. You can find load capacity information for a generator in the owners manual. 

How to Safely Set Up a Standby Generator 

The power has suddenly gone out, and now it’s time to put your standby generator to use. Setting up a standby generator may seem straightforward, but there’s a bit more to it than simply plugging in a piece of equipment. To ensure the safety of everyone in the home, have the standby generator professionally installed following all of the best practices below.  

Read the  Owner’s Manual

Safe standby generator setup and operation starts with the owner’s manual. Read through the manual before the first use. Pay careful attention to the voltage warnings, operation directions and recommendations for use.

Placement: Outside of the House Away from Vents, Windows and Doors

The standby generator should always be set up outside of the home on a concrete pad. NEVER run a standby or portable generator indoors. The goal is to keep fumes and carbon monoxide from getting inside where it can become deadly. For that reason, a standby generator should be installed at least 5 feet away from all doors, windows and vents.

Size It Right: Avoid Overloads and Inadequate Power Supply

Choosing the right size standby generator is very important. You want a generator that can supply enough electricity to power your entire house without overloading the system. 

Before purchasing a generator, go through your home and add up the power requirements for all of the essential appliances, equipment and devices. Also include the wattage of all the lights you’ll want to use. To determine your power needs add up the watts for everything and divide it by volts to get the amps that are needed.

Watts ÷ Volts = Amps

Get a standby generator that produces more than the minimum amps needed. Generators are notorious for drawing excessive amounts of power when they are first turned on so make sure you allow for a bit of excess beyond your minimum needs. 

Connection: Choose the Between Natural Gas Supply Lines and Propane Tanks

If you have natural gas at your home, then you can choose to either connect into the gas line or get a generator that runs on a whole-house propane tank. One advantage of a standby generator that connects into the natural gas line is you don’t have to worry about switching out propane tanks. 

Power Cords: Keep Them Out of Water and Out of the Way

If the power was knocked out by a storm there may be puddles of rain on the ground. Make sure any power cords coming out of or going into the generator aren’t sitting on the ground where they may be in standing water. 

You can count on Provider Power to offer exceptional service and the necessary local utility contact information during a power outage. Check to see if Provider Power plans with reliable fixed rates are available in your area.

People who are thinking about buying an electric car for the first time ever have a lot of questions, which is understandable. One of the most common questions people have is how much electricity an electric car uses. 

Saving money at the gas pump is a top motivator for going with a plug-in electric vehicle (PEV). However, if the electricity consumption of a PEV is significant your monthly bill from the utility provider could be noticeably higher. You can calculate an estimate by using your kilowatt-hour rate and determining roughly how much electricity an electric car will use. Here’s how.

Calculating Electric Car Electricity Use

Gas-powered vehicles have the familiar miles per gallon (MPG) measurement. The MPG tells us how far a vehicle will go on a single gallon of gas (or diesel). 

Measuring fuel efficiency is a little different for electric vehicles. With PEVs, the distance is measured in kWhs per 100 miles. So, in order to calculate how much electricity a PEV will use on a daily/weekly/monthly basis and the cost you’ll need to know:

The rate you pay per kilowatt-hour

The EVs kWhs per 100 miles rating

Now, let’s break it down with an example. Let’s assume that you pay $0.12 per kilowatt-hour. Your electric car requires 30 kWhs to go 100 miles on a fully charged battery. That would mean it costs $3.60 to charge a depleted battery, which works out to be $0.036 per mile or roughly 1/3 kilowatt-hour per mile (3.3 miles per kWh).  

But that’s not the end of the calculation. Now that you know the miles per kilowatt-hour you can determine how much electricity will be used in a month. That depends on how much you drive. 

Let’s assume you’re an average driver that drives 13,500 miles a year. That would work out to be approximately 1,125 miles a month. Going that many miles would require 341 kWhs for an EV that gets 3.3 miles per kWh. 

In this example, the electric car uses 341 kWhs a month for a total cost of $41 in electricity. 

Of course, this is a very straightforward example. In the real world, there are a lot of variables that can affect the electricity usage and rate that is paid.

3 Easy Ways to Reduce Electric Vehicle Electricity Use

How many miles per kilowatt-hour an EV gets is out of the owner’s control, but there are still ways to reduce high usage at home without cutting back on the miles you drive. Below are three simple ways to do just that. 

Charge at Public Stations

The easiest way to dramatically reduce electricity consumption at home is by charging up for free when you’re out and about. Right now there are 31,287 electric charging stations across the U.S. and Canada. Before heading out make sure to check and see if you’ll be stopping in an area that has one.

Charge at Night If You Have a Time-of-Use Electric Plan

People that have a time-of-use plan need to be very mindful of when they charge at home. With this type of electricity plan the kWh rate changes throughout the day depending on demand. Generally, rates are lowest between midnight and 6am. Charging during these hours won’t impact how much electricity is used, but it will make a difference on your monthly bill. 

Use a Smart AC Level 2 Charging Station at Home

If you’re going to invest in an at-home charging station, AC level 2 charging equipment may be the best option. Level 2 equipment comes with smart features like a charging timer and data collection. These features make it easier to charge up when it’s cheaper and get a better idea of how far you’re driving on a given day.

The Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC) is a great resource for anyone who’s considering an electric car. The center has information on calculating EV electricity use, a charging station locator tool and much more.

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