There are lots of different reasons why there might be no electricity in your house – from power cuts to faulty wiring. Here, we’ll cover some common reasons why you might have lost power, and walk you through what to do. Why is my power out? Some of the most common causes of power outages include:
If your power has gone off unexpectedly, there are a few things you can do. And if you live in an area that's prone to frequent power cuts, there are also ways to make sure you're prepared. First of all, find out whether your home is actually experiencing a power cut or whether it's a fault with your own electrics.
If you have a landline, you could get a corded telephone as most cordless phones won’t work without power. Stock up on food and drink that can be prepared without electricity. If you have a gas hob have long matches or a gas hob lighter to hand so you can light it without the electric igniter. Keep your car’s fuel tank at least half full.
Here’s what to do in a power cut if it happens at night: Locate your torches. Check if more than just your property is affected by looking to see if your streetlights are still on. Call 105 to report the power cut. Turn off electrical appliances and lights in case you forget and to avoid a surge when the power comes back on.
While most power cuts catch you by surprise, there can be occasions when you know you're heading for a period with no electricity. It could be that your energy company has warned you it's carrying out maintenance on your cables or that you live in an area that's prone to storm-induced black outs, so it's worth getting ahead.
There can be power surges while your power is not working normally, so protect your appliances by switching them off at the socket until everything’s up and running again. It’s a good idea to leave one main light switched on so you’ll know when the power comes back. If any sockets are working, use portable heat sources such as electric heaters.