The weather this week started to be cooler than last week, which is a good reminder that the weather is about to get colder. 22News is developing solutions for you to ensure that your home is prepared for the cold winter.

In the event of a power outage or other heating emergency, protect exposed water pipes, drain pipes, electrical appliances and other equipment from freezing damage.

Water has an abnormal habit of swelling when it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on everything that contains it, such as metal or plastic pipes. No matter how strong the container is, increasing the amount of water will cause the pipe to burst.

To be sure, there are only 16 days until December 1st, the first day of meteorological winter. The famous weather winter (from December 1st to February 28th) has cold temperatures. You and your home need to prepare for the coming months. Cold temperatures can freeze pipes that are not properly insulated and cause them to burst. Make sure you take the right steps now, lest it is too late.

"I will make sure that you now use weathered pipe frost protection to insulate the pipes. This protection applies to metals and plastics, such as PVC ABS," said Lou Courteau, manager of Rocky's Ace hardware store.

Lou also recommends that you pay close attention to drains by installing roof and drain deicing kits and covering all external faucets.

Related article: Snowmageddon 101: How to keep your pet warm in the cold season

Although the severity of winter weather varies across the country, almost all Americans experience harsh winter weather at some point in their lives, no matter where they live. Winter storms can range from light snow accumulation that lasts only a few hours to dazzling snowstorms that last several days. Many winter storms bring dangerous low temperatures and strong winds, ice, sleet and freezing rain.

In areas with peak winter demand, utility companies are well-versed in ensuring continuous supply while also limiting appropriate risk exposure. However, additional supply issues may arise this year as market pressures related to COVID confuse energy use forecasts. Smaller utilities and community choice aggregations (CCA) may not understand product opportunities and strategies, allowing them to adapt to changing markets and changes in weather-based needs.

Electricity and gas utility companies decide which products to hedge and how to hedge them, depending on weather forecasts and estimates based on historical usage. However, there will be inconsistencies between forecast and reality. A warmer winter than expected creates additional supply that may be sold; colder temperatures may increase purchasing requirements. Therefore, utility companies often buy and sell natural gas and electricity every month in the early winter months to minimize overuse based on inventory and long-term forecasts.

Also read: How the arrival of La Niña may exacerbate the upcoming winter drought

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Label winter, emergency preparedness, utilities, utility lines

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