Idaho Blackouts and Brownouts: How Best to Prepare for a Power Outage

When the lights go out unexpectedly, your entire household feels it. Whether you’re in the middle of making dinner, watching a game, or simply trying to stay warm during a cold Idahoan night, a sudden power outage can bring your daily routine to a standstill—and, in some cases, even cause lasting damage to your appliances and HVAC system.

As Southwestern Idaho continues to grow, straining our power grid, and weather events become more likely, utility companies like Idaho Power are warning of the possibility of unexpected brownouts and blackouts in the coming months and years.

At Western Heating & Air Conditioning, we believe the best way to protect your home and your family is to prepare before an outage occurs.

Here’s what every homeowner in Meridian, and throughout Southwestern Idaho needs to know about brownouts and blackouts and how whole-home generators and surge protectors can provide powerful peace of mind.

What’s the Difference Between a Brownout and a Blackout?

A blackout is a complete loss of power in your home or area, typically caused by extreme weather, grid overload, or equipment failure. Blackouts can last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours—or longer in severe cases.

A brownout, on the other hand, is a temporary reduction in voltage. Your lights may dim, electronics might flicker or shut off, and sensitive appliances like your HVAC system, refrigerator, or computer could suffer damage. Brownouts often serve as a warning sign that the grid is under stress.

In both cases, your comfort, safety, and daily routines are affected—and if power is restored suddenly, your home could be vulnerable to power surges that can damage expensive equipment and systems.

What is Causing Blackouts Around Boise?

Power outages aren’t just a theoretical risk—they’re becoming more frequent and more disruptive for Meridian, homeowners. In recent years, a combination of wildfire risk, increased population, and record-setting heat has pushed the electrical grid to its limits, and utility companies like Idaho Power are now taking proactive measures to protect infrastructure and public safety.

One of those measures is the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program. If conditions are dry and windy and wildfire risk is high, Idaho Power may intentionally shut off electricity in certain areas—even if no outage has occurred—simply to reduce the chances of a fire being sparked by power lines.

These public safety outages can happen with limited notice and may last several hours or even days, depending on conditions.

At the same time, an increased population fighting against record-high summer temperatures is increasing the demand on Idaho’s power grid. In recent years, parts of the Treasure Valley saw multiple days of triple-digit heat, which sent thousands of air conditioners into overdrive.

These spikes in energy use can overload the system, leading to unplanned brownouts or rolling blackouts as the utility scrambles to balance supply and demand.

Together, these events make it clear: Idaho homes are vulnerable to both planned and unplanned power outages—and the risk is only growing. Whether it’s a wildfire-driven PSPS, an intense summer heatwave, or a surge in population stressing the grid, now is the time to prepare your home with solutions that ensure your family stays comfortable, safe, and connected.

Whole-Home Generators During a Power Outage

One of the smartest investments you can make is a whole-home generator. Unlike a portable generator, a whole-home system automatically kicks in the moment your power goes out. It’s permanently installed outside your home and connected to your natural gas or propane supply, so it’s ready to work at a moment’s notice—no extension cords, no refueling, no guesswork.

Benefits of a whole-home generator:

• Keeps your lights, HVAC system, refrigerator, sump pump, and medical devices running.
• Protects your family from extreme heat or cold during outages.
• Automatically powers on and off as needed—no manual start required.
• Increases home value and peace of mind.

At Western Heating & Air Conditioning, we can help you select the right generator for your home’s size, energy needs, and budget. Our expert installation ensures you’re fully prepared for anything Idaho’s power grid throws your way.

Power Surges After Outage: Protect With Surge Protectors

When the power comes back after an outage, it doesn’t always return smoothly. Sudden voltage spikes—also known as power surges—can fry sensitive electronics and appliances, from your furnace to your computer.

That’s where a whole-home surge protector comes in. They’re installed directly into your electrical panel, shielding your home from harmful voltage spikes. It’s like having a bodyguard for your home’s electrical system.

What a whole-home surge protector does:

• Prevents damage from lightning strikes or grid fluctuations.
• Extends the life of your HVAC system, smart home devices, and appliances.
• Works in tandem with your existing power strips and plug-in protectors for full coverage.

Combined with a whole-home generator, a surge protector gives your home a robust defense against both short- and long-term power issues.

Get Expert Help From Western Heating & Air Conditioning

Western Heating & Air Conditioning is more than just your trusted HVAC experts—we can also be your trusted, local electrician. We’re here to help you create a safer, more resilient home with dependable solutions like whole-home generators and surge protection systems.

Our team of licensed professionals will walk you through your options, explain how these systems work, and make sure your installation is seamless and stress-free.

Ready to prepare your home for Idaho’s next power outage? Give us a call at 208-319-1736 or request estimate online.