Rural Winter Preparedness: Freezing Temperatures, Power Outages & Your Solar + Battery System
- Andi Parker
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
When a winter storm is forecast in the Texas Hill Country, rural homeowners feel it first—and often the longest. Long power lines, fewer repair crews, private wells, and electric heating systems all mean that preparation matters. If you already have a solar and battery system, you’re ahead of the game—but there are still important steps to take before temperatures drop.
Here’s how to prepare your property for freezing weather, what to check on your existing solar and battery system, and why solar with battery backup is one of the most valuable tools for rural winter resilience.
General Rural Freeze Prep (The Basics Still Matter)
Before we get into solar-specific steps, don’t skip the fundamentals:
Protect water systems: Insulate exposed pipes, well heads, pressure tanks, and outdoor spigots. Know where your main shutoff is.
Stock essentials: Drinking water, shelf-stable food, pet supplies, medications, flashlights, and phone battery packs.
Fuel & equipment: Top off propane tanks, fuel vehicles and equipment.
Livestock prep: Ensure access to unfrozen water, wind breaks, and power for critical systems.
Have a backup heat source: A small propane heater (like a Mr. Buddy) can be invaluable during extended outages—just be sure to use it safely with proper ventilation.
Preparedness is layered—solar is part of the plan, not the entire plan.
Heat Pumps, Electric Heat Strips & Why This Matters in a Power Outage
Many rural Texas homes use electric heat pumps, which work efficiently most of the year—but during freezing temperatures, they often rely on electric auxiliary heat strips.
These heat strips are:
Extremely energy-intensive
One of the largest power draws in a home
Capable of draining a battery system very quickly
What You Should Do Before the Storm:
Check your thermostat settings
If possible, disable or limit auxiliary / emergency heat
Many smart thermostats allow you to turn heat strips off
Or flip the breaker to the heat strips
This prevents them from automatically engaging during an outage
Dress warmer indoors and rely on layered heating strategies instead of full electric resistance heat
If you’re running on batteries, heat strips can mean the difference between hours of backup vs. minutes.
Turn Off Electric Water Heaters
Electric water heaters are another major hidden power hog during outages.
Before freezing weather or a predicted grid event:
Turn off electric water heaters at the breaker
Water heaters can pull 4,000–5,500 watts when heating
During an outage, this load provides little benefit and can rapidly drain batteries
Tip: Heat water before the storm, then shut the breaker off. You’ll still have hot water available without the ongoing energy draw.
Use Small Electric Room Heaters (Not Whole-Home Heat)
When running on backup power, smaller electric space heaters are far more practical than central heating systems.
Why they’re better:
Much lower wattage (often 750–1,500 watts)
Allow you to heat only occupied rooms
Far easier to manage on battery backup
Can be rotated between rooms as needed
Every household—battery or not—should have at least one or two small electric room heaters on hand.
Pool Owners: Keep the Pump Running
If you have a pool:
Keep the pool pump running continuously during freezing temperatures
Moving water is far less likely to freeze and cause cracked pipes or damaged equipment
If power is limited, prioritize pump runtime during the coldest hours
If your pool pump is on a backed-up circuit, factor it into your energy plan.
If You Have Solar Only (No Battery Backup)
If your system is grid-tied without batteries, it’s important to understand this clearly:
Your solar system will shut down during a grid outage.
Even if the sun is shining, your system cannot power your home unless it includes battery backup or off-grid capability.
What you can do:
Ensure your system is operating normally before the storm
Understand that solar helps reduce energy use before and after outages
Plan alternative power for wells, heat, & refrigeration
If You Have Solar + Battery Backup
This is where preparation really pays off—but settings matter.
1. Check Your Battery Settings
Before the storm:
Enable Backup or Storm Mode
Increase your backup reserve (often 80–100%)
Avoid high-draw appliances (electric dryers, ovens, water heaters, heat strips)
Before the storm arrives, we recommend simulating an outage by turning off your grid disconnect to confirm your batteries or generator are functioning properly.
2. Know Your Critical Loads
Most battery systems are designed to power essential circuits, not entire homes. Know whether your system supports:
Well pumps
Refrigerators & freezers
Lighting
Internet / Wi-Fi / cell boosters
Medical or livestock-related equipment
3. Cold Weather & Batteries
Modern lithium batteries are built for Texas conditions, but:
Cold temperatures can temporarily reduce performance
Proper installations include thermal protection
Keep battery enclosures clear and unobstructed
Test Your Backup Power Before the Storm Hits
If you have solar with batteries or a generator, one of the smartest things you can do before freezing weather arrives is to test your system under real outage conditions.
What to Do:
Throw your grid disconnect to the OFF position before the storm
This safely simulates a power outage
Confirm that:
Batteries take over as expected
Critical loads stay powered
Generators start and transfer properly (if applicable)
No error messages or alarms appear
Doing this ahead of time gives you the chance to fix issues before temperatures drop and crews are hard to reach.
Why This Matters:
Storms have a way of revealing problems at the worst possible moment
A loose communication cable, misconfigured battery setting, or failed transfer switch is far easier to address before an outage
It also gives homeowners confidence in what will and won’t run on backup power
Tip: After testing, return the grid disconnect to normal operation and make sure your battery reserve and backup settings are exactly where you want them going into the storm.
This single step can prevent a lot of stress when conditions are cold and power restoration may take time.
Why Solar + Battery Is a Game-Changer for Rural Winter Storms
For rural homeowners, outages aren’t just inconvenient—they can shut down:
Water wells
Heating circulation
Communication and internet
Livestock operations
A properly designed solar + battery system can:
Keep wells pumping
Support propane or gas heating systems
Preserve food
Maintain communication
Reduce or eliminate generator dependence
Unlike generators alone, solar allows your batteries to recharge during daylight hours, extending backup capability across multiple days.
Keep a Propane Heater on Hand
A small propane heater is one of the most reliable backup heat options for rural homes.
Many homeowners keep a Mr. Heater Buddy propane heater because it:
Requires no electricity
Is portable and easy to store
Works well for single-room heating during outages
Always follow manufacturer safety guidelines and ventilation requirements.
After the Storm: Smart Checkups
Once temperatures rise:
Inspect visible electrical equipment
Check system monitoring apps for alerts
Restore normal battery and breaker settings
Contact your installer if anything seems off
Thinking Ahead for Next Time
If this storm has you thinking about how long you could comfortably operate without grid power, you’re not alone. Small changes—battery capacity, load management, heater choices—can make a big difference.
At Greater Texas Solar, we design systems for real rural conditions: freezing temperatures, long outages, private wells, and wide-open properties. From planning to long-term support, we help you stay powered when it matters most.
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