Power Outages and Appliances: After PG&E Restores

Power Outages & Appliances: What to Do After PG&E Restores Service

Storms, heat waves, and rolling shutoffs happen. When the power snaps back, voltage can fluctuate for a few minutes and appliances may throw errors. Use this quick guide to keep food safe, avoid damage, and bring your home back online smoothly in San Jose and across the Bay Area.

If you smell gas or hear hissing: leave immediately and call 911, then your utility. Do not switch lights on/off or hunt for the leak yourself.

Before the power returns (if you still have an active outage)

• Keep doors closed on the fridge/freezer to hold temperature.
• Unplug sensitive electronics (TVs, computers, microwaves) and turn major appliances off so they don’t all surge back at once.
• If you use a generator, never run it indoors; place it outside, away from openings, and use proper transfer equipment.

When power is restored — the first 10 minutes

1. Wait 3–5 minutes for voltage to stabilize. Many modern fridges have a built‑in delay, but waiting protects compressors and control boards.
2. Turn on big loads in stages: fridge first, then HVAC (if applicable), then laundry and dishwashers.
3. Walk‑through check: look for unusual smells, breaker trips, or beeping error codes.

Refrigerator & Freezer — food safety and restart

• Quick test: if your refrigerator thermometer reads ≤40°F (4°C) and the freezer is ≤0°F (‑18°C), food is generally safe.
• If the fridge was warm for >2 hours (above 40°F), discard perishable items (meat, dairy, leftovers).
• Freezer rule of thumb: a full freezer often holds safe temps up to ~48 hours (about 24 hours if half full) with doors closed.
• Restart tips:
  • Power the unit on after the 3–5 minute wait; listen for the compressor and condenser fan.
  • Give 12–24 hours to fully stabilize before changing settings.
  • If temps won’t drop or you see error codes/ice buildup, schedule service.

Dishwasher — drainage and heating checks

• Run a Rinse or Short cycle first; verify it fills, sprays, drains, and heats.
• If the panel is dead, check the breaker and the GFCI outlet (press Reset).
• Cloudy glasses after an outage? Run a cleaning cycle with a dishwasher cleaner or a little citric acid, then enable High Temp + Heated Dry on the next load.

Washer & Dryer — error clears and vent airflow

• For washers, power‑cycle the machine and run Drain & Spin to clear residual water. Check for LE/UE/ND‑type errors; they often clear after one empty cycle.
• For dryers, verify strong airflow at the exterior vent hood. Weak flow after an outage may reveal lint or flap obstructions.
• If breakers trip or you smell hot insulation, stop and call a professional.

Gas Ranges & Ovens — ignition and safety

• Make sure the area is free of gas odor before relighting anything.
• Some models need a clock/time reset before the oven will start.
• If surface burners click but don’t light, dry the caps and igniters (condensation can form during long outages).
• Pilot‑light models (rare on modern ranges) may require manual relight per the manual; if unsure, schedule service.

Microwaves  — surge reality check

• If the display is scrambled or dead, unplug for 60 seconds and plug back in.
• Avoid using cheap power strips for high‑draw appliances; prefer a properly rated surge protector or whole‑home surge protection installed by an electrician.

Preventive upgrades for the Bay Area

• Whole‑home surge protection to guard control boards (fridges, washers, dishwashers, ranges).
• Dedicated circuits for major appliances; inspect outlets and cords for heat damage annually.
• Thermometers: keep a simple fridge/freezer thermometer inside to verify temps after any outage.
• Ice maker valve/filter: replace on schedule—scale buildup worsens after long warm periods.

Red flags — call a pro

• Refrigerator won’t cool to safe temps within 24 hours after power is back.
• Repeated breaker trips, burning smells, or visible arcing.
• Gas odor near any appliance.
• Dishwasher/washer won’t fill or won’t drain even after a reset.

Hotline provides same‑day appliance repair with original parts and a written warranty across San Jose and nearby cities.

Recommended internal links:

• Appliance Repair in San Jose
• Refrigerator Repair in San Jose
• Washer Repair in San Jose
• Dryer Repair in San Jose

Service area mention: San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Milpitas, Campbell, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Redwood City, Menlo Park, and nearby cities.

Contact (CTA)

Hotline Appliance Repair – San Jose
📍 665 Nido, Campbell, CA 95008
📞 +1 408-915-6865
📧 hotlineappliancerepair@gmail.com
🕒 Mon–Sun: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
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