Winter is coming. And unlike Game of Thrones, the threat isn't White Walkers – it's your electrical system deciding to pack it in right when you need it most.

It’s one of those cold winter evenings, and you're relaxing on the couch with a beer ready to watch that new TV show everyone's talking about, when suddenly... darkness. Total darkness – everything switches off, including the heat pump. The only light comes from your phone as you frantically Google ‘emergency electrician near me’, put on an extra jumper and another pair of socks, worry about the freezer contents, and wonder if your neighbour would notice an extension cord running from their house to yours.

So first and foremost, to avoid that scenario, get things checked up front – something we all always mean to do, but never get around to. Read on for tips in the ‘Survive Winter’ checklist below.

Danger signals from your power points

DIY check – walk around your home and check for any outlets that make a crackling sound, that's electricity's way of saying ‘I'm not happy’, feel warm to the touch, or have visible discolouration, let's say charred black is not the latest on-trend colour. Always, Always! Be wary of an electrical burning smell, this is a danger signal, and you need to act immediately if you smell anything burning.

Reality check – if your outlets are showing any of the above, it's time to call an electrician. Those symptoms point to potential fire hazards, and you don’t want to add ‘house fire’ to the year’s events.

The switchboard inspection

DIY check – if your switch often trips, also known as tripping or going off, then you obviously know where your switchboard is, because you need to open it up to switch it back.

Reality check – the trip switch is protecting you and your electrical system from potential dangers. If it trips, it’s signalling a problem, such as an overload, short circuit, or ground fault, that could cause damage or risk. Heaters, irons, ovens and the 47 electronic devices you have in the house need proper electrical capacity. An electrician can upgrade your panel before you're forced to choose between running the heater or the coffee maker, which you don’t want to face at 6am on a cold June morning.

Weather-proof your outdoor electrics

DIY check – test all outdoor lighting and outlets. Check for cracked covers on outdoor outlets, exposed wiring, or lights that flicker like they're sending Morse code.

Reality check – winter brings moisture, especially in Auckland! Electricity doesn’t mix well with water. Properly sealed outdoor electrical components are essential. If yours look dodgy, an electrician can install weather-resistant solutions for you.

Maximise your heat pump

DIY check – clean or replace the filters (note: they should not resemble the inside of a vacuum cleaner bag), check that the outdoor unit isn't surrounded by weeds and leaves, and that the indoor unit hasn’t clogged up with mould.

Reality check – if your heat pump is making noises that sound like it's learned a new language or is blowing out air without heating the room that much, it's time for professional help. An electrician can service the system – best to call one before things get worse and it stops working.

Hidden hazards lurking above and below

DIY check – brave the spiders and check any wiring in lofts and basements for chewed wires, (mice and rats can cause a lot of damage in a short timeframe), water damage, or amateur (DIY) wire splices that look like they were done after watching half a YouTube tutorial.

Reality check – finding rodent damage or DIY electrical ‘creativity’ is definitely certified electrician territory. We can repair damage and protect wiring before small problems become big, expensive emergencies, such as a house fire.

Shield your electronics from power surges

DIY check – look at your current surge protection strategy. Is it non-existent? Whole house surge protection, often referred to as Surge Protection Devices (SPDs), is a system that protects all the electrical devices in your home from power surges, these can be brought from your local hardware store as a power point adaptor or installed directly into your switchboard by a registered Electrician

Reality check – these surges can be caused by lightning strikes, electrical grid issues, or even from within your home's electrical system. Whole-house surge protection installed by an electrician is like an insurance policy for everything with a plug.

Your blackout battle plan

DIY check – assess your blackout readiness: torches with working batteries, portable phone chargers, and knowledge of your switchboard – which switch controls what. Also make sure your emergency electrician’s number is on your phone and on your fridge!

Reality check – for true peace of mind, consider a chat with an electrician about generator options. An electrician can discuss solutions ranging from simple portable setups to whole-house systems that kick in automatically when power fails.

Stay powered, stay warm

Winter electrical problems are like bad relatives – they show up at the worst times and outstay their welcome. A proactive check now can prevent that midnight call to an electrician when it’s -2°C outside and you're wearing every piece of clothing you own.

Remember, DIY electrical work falls into two categories: simple safety checks (as outlined above) and things that make electricians say ‘Who did this?’ whilst taking photos to show their teammates.

When in doubt, call an electrician. Because the only thing more expensive than hiring an electrician is hiring an electrician after you've already tried to fix it yourself.

Stay warm, stay safe, and may your Netflix never buffer due to electrical issues this winter!

No Shock Electrical can come and check your electrical system and give you an honest appraisal about what needs doing. If you do have an emergency outage, we’re also on call 24/7. Contact us on 09 636 0792, any time.