Are You Prepared for a Power Outage?

A power outage can have a devastating impact on your business if you’re not prepared. If the main grid fails, your operations could be significantly disrupted. This can lead to extensive financial losses during a prolonged outage. California has thousands of blackout events every year. These can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Vehicular accidents
Adverse weather conditions
Utility equipment failure
Wildfires and earthquakes
Increased energy demand
Construction incidents

As a business owner, it’s only wise to prepare ahead for a power outage. Here are some tips to ensure that you’re ready for the next emergency.

Create an Emergency Plan

Having an emergency plan in place will help keep employees calm and safe during an outage. You don’t want your team scrambling in the middle of an emergency. The plan should detail any procedures staff members will need to follow, how they will communicate and serve customers, how to operate emergency equipment safely, and other things that employees should know. Make sure each member of your team knows about the plan and where to locate it when they need it.

Utilize Cloud Storage

Today, there are many cloud storage options available for business owners. These allow you to sync critical data easily and quickly to an online server so that you can access it from anywhere at any time. This can help you prevent data loss should a power surge damage your computer system.

Purchase Emergency Supplies

If you and your employees must remain on-site to wait out the emergency, you should have supplies on hand. These include non-perishable foods, blankets, water, flashlights, and batteries. It’s also a good idea to have a backup cell phone charged up so that you can contact emergency personnel, family members, or customers as needed.

Use Surge Protectors

When the power returns after a disruption, it sends a significant surge of power to your electrical devices. This can cause extreme damage or even a fire, putting your building at risk. It’s a good idea to be prepared with high-quality surge protectors for all your equipment.

Install Emergency Lighting

An emergency lighting system uses an alternative power source, such as batteries or a generator. When the main power fails, the system will provide the exterior and interior illumination you need to keep employees safe and to secure your facility.

Invest in a Backup Generator

A backup generator is the best way to prepare for a power outage. At Valley Power Systems, we are proud to offer a variety of gensets from today’s top manufacturers, including:

Atlas Copco
Blue Star Power Systems
Waukesha

When you begin exploring your options, you will find that there are many types of power systems on the market. Generators range widely in size, features, and price points. To choose the right one for your business, you will want to work with a generator specialist like Valley Power Systems. We are extremely knowledgeable about generators and can assist you through the purchase process.

When you invest in a generator, we believe you’re investing in the future of your company. A generator will help keep you in business when others aren’t, showing your customers that you are there when they need you most.

Schedule Generator Maintenance

Once you have purchased a power generator, you’ll want to keep it properly maintained. There’s nothing worse than finding out your generator has failed in the middle of a power outage, leaving your company vulnerable. The best way to prevent this is to schedule periodic maintenance for your system. At Valley Power Systems, we offer customized maintenance contracts that are designed to provide the level of service that your system needs.

Typically, a newer system won’t need maintenance as often as an older one, but it’s still important to have it looked at regularly. Like all power equipment, generators wear down with continual use. You can minimize wear and tear and extend your unit’s lifespan by investing in a comprehensive maintenance plan from Valley Power Systems.

Major manufacturers recommend getting the first oil change for a power system after its first 25 hours of usage. After that, gensets will typically need maintenance after every 100 to 200 hours, depending on your specific make and model. There are also times when maintenance is required more often. For example, if you rely on your unit consistently as backup power, if it’s an older model, or if you live in a dusty area, you should schedule more frequent visits. It’s also recommended to have maintenance performed following a major weather event, such as after heavy wind or rain.

Here are some of the common maintenance tasks a generator will need:

Oil and filter changes: Your genset needs fresh oil to properly lubricate the moving parts of your engine. If your system goes too long without an oil change, the oil can become contaminated, which can cause serious problems for your engine. It also needs regular filter changes to keep out harmful dust and debris. You should also be checking filters in between maintenance visits to prevent clogs.
Battery testing: Generator batteries are only designed to last a few years before they will need to be replaced. Your technician will test its voltage and ensure there’s enough power to keep your unit running during an emergency. If a replacement is needed, they’ll take care of the job promptly.
Leak checks: Leaks can occur in your oil, coolant, and fuel systems. These can result in increased wear and tear and lost efficiency for your system. If you suspect a leak, it’s imperative to have a generator professional inspect the unit right away before the leak has a chance to cause more damage to your system.
Performance checks: Your technician will also test your system for overall performance. They will turn on the unit to allow the battery to charge and to look for any signs of performance issues. If they notice anything wrong with your system, they’ll provide you with a repair recommendation.
Fluid level inspections: Fluid levels, such as the oil and coolant, will also be checked. It’s essential to ensure these fluids are within the recommended range to keep your system in peak operating condition.

During maintenance, our goal is to ensure your power system has what it needs to operate reliably when you need it most. Our expert technicians know how to look for minor issues that others might miss. This will allow you to address repairs promptly before the damage worsens and results in a more expensive repair. With our help, you can maximize the lifespan of your generator and make sure that you’re ready for any emergency situation.

Offering Premium Power Solutions

To make sure you’re prepared for the next power outage, discover the options available from Valley Power Systems. We provide a wide range of power solutions suitable for businesses of all sizes throughout greater California. From rentals and portables to standby generators, we’ve got you covered. Since 1949, we’ve been committed to exceeding expectations with our state-of-the-art power products, exceptional customer care, highly trained technicians, and comprehensive services. To get started, contact Valley Power Systems today!