How to prepare for ‘worst case scenario’ power outages

The average power cut in the UK is under an hour, thankfully! However, Bloomberg UK warned that, under the government’s “reasonable worst-case scenario” we could see a 4-day power shortfall, with households and businesses facing planned power outages, adding insult to the ever-increasing price-cap injury.

The reason for the shortage is down to supply issues, as explained in our previous blog surrounding the energy grants, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Brexit.  

Preparing for a power cut this winter

Before the (potentially planned) outages in January 2023, stock up gradually to avoid the panic buying that this may bring in the New Year. This could also give already cash-strapped consumers more time to ‘budget-purchase’ several items over the coming months. While the basics are relatively inexpensive, if you work from home, for example, you may need more than just a few candles.

For the smaller items, we would suggest you use a box or plastic tub that is easy to find and reach with the lights out containing:

Packs of pillar candles and matchesHand heat packs and hatsConsider stocking up on cupboard items that you can cook on a gas hob or eat cold, and do not need to refrigerate.Torches, allow one per person, plus replaceable batteriesMobile phone power bank for emergency chargingAn easy to reach First Aid kit is also essential – you may be in the middle of something, and the power goes out leading to an accident – or you may not be able to find plasters or other treatments you need in the dark!

Larger items to consider include:

A car kettle if you don’t have a gas hob – ideal for emergency tea, noodles or soup.A battery-operated radio may be useful to listen to news reports – and save your mobile batteryA home generator could set you back from around £300 and upwards depending on what you need it for, but may be worth considering.

Top tips in a power cut

Switch off all your electrical appliances – this helps to prevent a surge – and another power cut – when everything comes back on at the same time.Leave a light on! If you don’t have streetlights, leave one light on in the room that you are most likely to stay in, so that you can easily spot when the power comes back on.Keep your fridge and freezer doors shut – your fridge will stay cold for around 4 hours, and your freezer a few days. You can also insulate your fridge using blankets or a sleeping bag to keep it cold for longer. If you choose to run your fridge off a generator, ensure you choose the right starting and running watts depending on the size of your fridge. There are plenty of online resources available to guide you on which one to choose.

Who do I call in a power cut?

Although most of us see out a power cut without needing to call anyone, if it feels as though it’s going on for a long period of time, and if it is unplanned, it could be worth a call to find out what’s going on. But who do you call?

Most people call their energy supplier in a power cut, who are unable to help – you actually need to speak to your Local Distribution Company (LDC).

Who to call? UK consumers are advised to call ‘105’ which is a new, free national phone line for power cuts. Find out more about the service here.

How will the power cuts affect my electricity bill?

If you experience a power cut, then you may be entitled to compensation from your LDC, which is payable within 10 days.

If you submit monthly readings for your energy bills, you may also see a small decrease in usage, however this is likely to be a very small decrease, depending on the length of time you are without power. If you pay by direct debit and are in credit, you are entitled to request a refund, however it is likely any credit will be swallowed by the ongoing price hike.

If an outage is planned, your distributor should give you at least two days’ notice – if they haven’t advised you of a planned outage, then you can claim £30 within 30 days of the outage. If the cut is unplanned, compensation will very much depend on the cause of the outage and how many homes were affected.

Generally speaking, an outage lasting 24 hours is compensated at around the £70 mark, but this depends on the circumstances. If you feel that you can make a claim, you should.  Again, you will need to contact your local distributor (LDC) as opposed to your energy provider.

While we all hope that these power cuts may not happen, we understand that you may be concerned about your home and contents insurance and whether you can claim should you incur any damages during a power cut. Call your friendly local branch, who will be happy to discuss your concerns and answer any questions you may have.