Get ready, homeowners. Labor Day weekend in Northern California will be extremely hot, and is expected to be worse than the recent August heat wave, which prompted rolling blackouts. The National Weather Service (NWS) warns that “extreme stress on our power infrastructure may lead to power outages.” While blackouts have not yet been forecasted, it is critical that homeowners prepare for these kind of situations with a more reliable home backup power. 

NWS predicts a high of up to 115 degrees Saturday/Sunday in Northern California, particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area to Sacramento regions- and up to the Oregon state line, including Shasta County. NWS warns that the triple digits could impact the general population, especially those spending an extended time outdoors. Relief from the heat during overnight hours will remain minimal with lows in the upper 60's to around 80's. Any localized dense smoke may impact these temperatures. Below, we’ve listed areas that the heatwave may potentially impact according to NWS.

Sacramento Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County- Burney Basin / Eastern Shasta County-Northern Sacramento Valley- Central Sacramento Valley-Southern Sacramento Valley- Carquinez Strait and Delta-Northern San Joaquin Valley- Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County- Northeast Foothills/Sacramento Valley-Motherlode- Western Plumas County/Lassen Park- West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada-Including the cities of Shasta Dam, Burney, Redding, Red Bluff, Chico, Oroville, Marysville/Yuba City, Sacramento, Fairfield/Suisun, Stockton, Modesto, Alder Springs, Paradise, Grass Valley, Jackson, Chester, Quincy, and Blue Canyon

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM SATURDAY TO 6 PM PDT TUESDAY…

North Bay Interior Valleys-North Bay Mountains-East Bay Interior Valleys-East Bay Hills and the Diablo Range-Santa Cruz Mountains-Santa Clara Valley Including San Jose-Southern Salinas Valley/Arroyo Seco and Lake San Antonio-Santa Lucia Mountains and Los Padres National Forest-Mountains Of San Benito County And Interior Monterey County Including Pinnacles National Park-Northern Salinas Valley/Hollister Valley and Carmel Valley-Including the cities of Santa Rosa, South Santa Rosa, Napa, San Rafael, Petaluma, Novato, Rohnert Park, Angwin, Lagunitas-Forest Knolls, Woodacre, Concord, Antioch, Livermore, Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Blackhawk, Scotts Valley, Boulder Creek, Day Valley, San Jose, Greenfield, King City, and Salinas

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM SATURDAY TO 9 PM PDT MONDAY...

Thus far, California Independent System Operator (ISO) monitors the situation closely, and a CA Flex Alert to conserve energy is in place. The Flex Alert is in effect Saturday through Monday, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. each day ABC7 News reports.

Here is what you need to know, particularly for Westhaven Power Customers with:

1. Solar + Battery Storage - You’re in the clear. Enjoy your grid liberation.
   
2. Solar Panel System Only - You’re self-generating your own power! But monitor closely and do not over-consume the production. Depending on the manufacturer, we’d recommend periodic app checks to ensure that you do not exceed what you make or pull from the grid. This is the best way to save money on True-up statements. Now is the time to add panels and a battery so you #keepyourpower, otherwise, it is sent back to the grid where the utility will charge you for use.
   
3. Generators Only - When the lights shut off, your Generac home backup generator can pick up a power outage pending that you’ve met all the maintenance requirements, specifically the engine oil changes. The standby system turns on automatically and delivers power to your home. It will run until utility power returns - whether that's two hours or two weeks, and you’re home or away. The caveat is that most new generators need their first oil change after 25 hours. Beyond that, you’ll have to discard and refill every 50 or 60 hours. So please store up enough oil and filters to last a few days. If you have not had your system professionally maintained, and or do not have a maintenance kit, get yours here or contact our support team for further assistance. The last thing we want you to do during these times is run around town looking for oil. 

• For a limited time, we offer an exclusive $1,000 instant savings on solar plus storage (and the 26 percent Federal Tax Credit applies if installed before 2021). This is perfect for add on upgrades or new customers alike. If you’d like to get your ultra-reliable backup battery storage, Power A.L.I. 2, contact us, or to learn more about how solar storage secures your home energy, visit our home battery page.