When the heat hits, it tests your comfort and your home’s electrical system. Heat waves can quickly turn dangerous, from overloaded circuits to power outages without the proper preparation.
At McCarthy Electric and Technologies, we’ve seen the costly effects of unprepared homes in our 25+ years serving Lynnwood, Lake Stevens, and surrounding cities. Our certified electricians are trained to anticipate these stress points and help you prepare with practical, code-compliant, and innovative solutions.
This guide’ll explain how to safeguard your home during extreme heat without sacrificing comfort or safety.
Upgrade Your Electrical Panel Before It’s Overloaded
Your electrical panel is the foundation of your home’s energy system. During a heatwave, appliances like air conditioners, ceiling fans, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, and even EV chargers often run simultaneously, putting tremendous strain on your panel.
Why It Matters
Overloaded panels can lead to:
- Tripped breakers
- Power outages
- Fire hazards from overheated wiring
Older homes, especially those built before the 1990s, are often equipped with panels rated for far less energy than modern households demand.
What You Can Do
- Schedule a professional inspection to determine if your panel is sized appropriately for current and future needs.
- Install a smart panel to monitor real-time energy consumption, identify overloaded circuits, and enable automated energy-saving strategies.
- Upgrade your service panel by adding EV charging, heat pumps, or other high-load devices.
Our team uses formal load calculations on every panel upgrade to ensure long-term safety and efficiency.
Upgrade Your Electrical Panel Before It’s Overloaded
Your electrical panel is the foundation of your home’s energy system. During a heatwave, appliances like air conditioners, ceiling fans, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, and even EV chargers often run simultaneously, putting tremendous strain on your panel.
Why It Matters
Overloaded panels can lead to:
- Tripped breakers
- Power outages
- Fire hazards from overheated wiring
Older homes, especially those built before the 1990s, are often equipped with panels rated for far less energy than modern households demand.
What You Can Do
- Schedule a professional inspection to determine if your panel is sized appropriately for current and future needs.
- Install a smart panel to monitor real-time energy consumption, identify overloaded circuits, and enable automated energy-saving strategies.
- Upgrade your service panel by adding EV charging, heat pumps, or other high-load devices.
Our team uses formal load calculations on every panel upgrade to ensure long-term safety and efficiency.
Install Whole-Home Surge Protection
Most people associate surge protectors with lightning storms, but heatwaves also spike surge risks. Utility companies experience higher loads, and the stress on the grid can cause voltage fluctuations. These surges can destroy appliances, HVAC units, and sensitive electronics.
Why It Matters
Even a slight surge can:
- Fry your smart home devices
- Causes premature failure of HVAC equipment.
- Lead to costly repairs or replacements, which are not always covered by insurance.
What You Can Do
- Install a whole-home surge suppressor directly at your electrical panel.
- Use secondary surge strips at high-value electronic devices like TVs, computers, and routers.
- Ensure outdoor outlets and landscape lighting are properly grounded and protected.
As certified installers of Lutron and Generac systems, we implement protective solutions tailored to your exact home configuration and risk level.
Boost Energy Efficiency Without Sacrificing Comfort
A proactive strategy for energy efficiency is the best defense against high energy bills during a heat wave. The Department of Energy reports that heating and cooling account for over 50% of the average home’s energy use, and that number skyrockets during a heat wave.
What to Upgrade
- Switch to LED lighting: LEDs emit less heat than traditional bulbs, keeping your rooms cooler.
- Install smart thermostats: Automate your cooling schedule and integrate with apps for room-specific adjustments.
- Zoned cooling and digital thermostats: Focus your energy use on occupied areas only, primarily if you work from home or spend time in one location during the hottest parts of the day.
At McCarthy Electric, we help customers integrate bright lighting and energy-efficient climate control systems to balance comfort with cost.
Prepare for Power Outages with Generator Backup
Heatwaves often push local power grids to their limit. Rolling blackouts or transformer failures are not uncommon, leaving homes without cooling, food preservation, or even necessary medical devices.
Why It Matters
Power loss during extreme heat can quickly become a health hazard, especially for:
- Young children
- Elderly residents
- People with medical devices or chronic illnesses
What You Can Do
- Install a Generac or Kohler standby generator to power your entire home automatically during an outage.
- If a whole-home solution isn’t feasible, use a portable generator for key circuits such as refrigeration, lights, and medical equipment.
- Always ensure generators are professionally installed to avoid safety hazards, carbon monoxide risks, and code violations.
Our team is certified to install automatic and portable backup power systems that are reliable and discreetly integrated into your electrical setup.
Prioritize Safety With Routine Electrical Inspections
Extreme temperatures can reveal hidden flaws in your electrical system. Worn wires, old outlets, or improperly installed circuits may not show issues under regular use, but under stress, they can spark fires or fail without warning.
What to Inspect Before a Heatwave
- HVAC and A/C unit wiring: Ensure all cooling systems operate safely on dedicated circuits.
- GFCI outlets: Test outdoor and bathroom/kitchen outlets for proper grounding.
- Breaker panel function: Check for hot spots, buzzing noises, or rust/corrosion.
- Exterior outlets and lighting: Ensure backyard or patio lighting is waterproof and correctly wired.
We specialize in same-day service calls and emergency diagnostics when fast answers matter most.
Regular electrical maintenance can reduce the risk of system failure and help you avoid expensive emergency calls during a crisis.
Local Expertise, Real Solutions
As a community-rooted, customer-first electrical company, McCarthy Electric doesn’t just install and repair, we prepare homes for every scenario. From EV chargers to panel upgrades and intelligent systems, our team works with you to future-proof your home.
We serve:
- Lynnwood
- Lake Stevens
- Marysville
- Everett
- Granite Falls, and more.
With 24/7 emergency service, free estimates, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee that meets or exceeds Washington state codes, your peace of mind starts with a call.
Learn More: Take Control Before the Next Heatwave Strikes
The best time to prepare for a heatwave is before it happens. Don’t wait for power loss, damaged appliances, or soaring electric bills to take action. At McCarthy Electric and Technologies, we help you anticipate and solve risk with skill, speed, and lasting quality.
Call us today at (425) 877-5572
Request a Free Estimate
Let’s build a safer, smarter home, together.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to install a whole-home surge protector?
Most installations take 1–2 hours and can be done during a routine panel service or upgrade. It’s a quick fix with long-term benefits.
Do I need a generator if I already have solar panels?
Yes. Most solar systems don’t offer storage without a dedicated battery backup. Generators ensure uninterrupted power even when the grid goes down and sunlight is limited.
Can smart thermostats and LED lighting reduce my bill that much?
Yes. Studies from the U.S. Department of Energy show that programmable thermostats can save up to 15% on energy bills and that LED lighting uses 75% less electricity.