If a neighbor uses a lot of electricity, can that cause more blackouts in the neighborhood?

Question

My neighbors have been running their air conditioners since June, even on cold, damp days. I'm not sure if this has been the cause of the multiple power shortages in the neighborhood. They keep all the windows closed and are very anti-social. They are barely ever home. These air conditioners make a lot of noise and we can't even sit outside without hearing them. I am concerned for them, because there must be something in the house they are trying to keep cold.

I knew I was going to get the people who love to say, "mind your own business...stay inside your house!" These neighbors have been suddenly snobby to us after being ouf friends for years. I am CONCERNED about them and do not have any hard feelings towards them. They will not talk to anyone in the neighborhood and are barely home. My question was above. For those who really answered my question, thank you.

Answer 1

Yes it's likely that their demand may affect the rest of U.
2 use air-conditioning whilst they R not even there, is high on the Greed/because " we can attitude ".

In the long run it'll affect us all.
I'm in the UK, that would B grounds 4 an ASBO or 2.

Sorry I'm not sure who U can contact re. UR neighbour.
Ask at UR local Town Hall?
Good luck, hope these selfish neighbours of URs can B persuaded 2 respect their neighbours peace & quiet.

Answer 2

I spent a number of years working for a gas and electricity company in the faults department - your neighbours running air conditioners constantly is NOT going to cause more blackouts - the company that looks after your area probably needs to do some maintenance and upkeep of their equipment and system to reduce the blackouts - as for the people running air conditioners well I cant help you there - maybe one of them has MS? People with MS sometimes need to be kept cool to keep their condition under control and Im sure there are other medical conditions requiring this. If you have a problem with it - go and ask them about it! If you dont want to do this stop whinging or move! What they do in their house is none of your business just as much as what you do in your house is none of their business.

Answer 3

Blackouts are sometimes caused by excessive load, sometimes by faults on the supply. If their air-con units are faulty, that might be part of the problem but is unlikely to be the single cause.

If it's a load-related issue, are you doing your bit? How many of your light bulbs are hot filament bulbs and how many are energy saving? Right now, how many rooms are lit that are not occupied? Is the TV on without an audience? How many of your appliances are on standby?

It's unlikely your neighbour is personally responsible for your blackouts unless they're trying to make their electricity meter turn backwards with some rewiring. Next time their all out, you could have a look if it's outside their property. If they are making it turn backwards, you may wish to inform the police and local power company.

Answer 4

Brown-outs/black-outs: In the US, all homes have a large circuit breaker on the out side near the meter, so the firemen can shut off power and not get electrocuted. That Main Breaker gets a lot of wear and tear, and can fail after 10 to 15 years.

Just changed mine, the part was $108 including shipping. The old one had arc burns and melted on one buss. Some electricical supply companies charge up to $500 for that main breaker, to recoup past lawsuits. Don't buy anything from Federal Pacific for one thing!

I had noticed my main entry panel was Federal Pacific, so I opened it up. DON'T try this if you have no knowledge about high voltage power and electricity! But, I taught linemen and contractors AC Power.

The incoming ALUMINUM mains were installed incorrectly, by Palmer Electric, of Florida, in 1980. One third of the conductors on each feed were cut off, in order to squeeze them into the small lugs.

Many of the breakers were weak or intermittant.

An entirely NEW Square D 200 Amp panel was $98.00. It included ALL the proper parts and our 'brown-outs" have almost totally gone away. The Progress Energy power supplier had bought out the older utilities, and, I have a Kill-a-watt plugged in, that shows me the different voltage available in the night, versus the day, as they swap out generators every 12 hours.

We get two interruptions every day, minimum, at about 8 am and 8 pm! Then, too, we got 10,000 lightning strikes in 7 hours, in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday afternoon/evening, from 3 pm to 10 pm.

"The Lightning Capital of the USA" is in Lakeland, Florida. We are only 75 miles North.

Answer 5

Damnit somebody already stated extraterrestrial beings! lol a organic disaster like a typhoon or wind hurricane or maybe a snow hurricane so undesirable human beings could no longer get out to repair it. OR a genetically mutated animal that eats away power flowers OR a black hollow OR ummm... a clean element that pairs with debris in electrical energy inflicting it to no longer provide off a can charge OR hmm.... A flood? OR an escaped convict pysco takes administration and does not enable anybody electrical energy

Answer 6

Weird. When I'm concerned about my neighbors I just go knock on their door and ask how things are going and if maybe there's anything I can do to help them. I guess instead I should just start asking questions on Yahoo! Answers about the likelihood of their private activities being a menace to society.

Yeah, that's the neighborly way.

WK

Answer 7

Gotta keep those dead bodies cold or they start to smell....

... no, a neighbor running every single appliance in their house 24/7 will not cause a neighborhood blackout or even a brownout.

Answer 8

You are right , Air conditioners are a major cause of electric blackouts ....

If you're not joking , and if i were you i would have reported them for their suspicious behavior ...

But if you're kidding , I think the house you're talking about is a morgue ....... :)

Answer 9

yes a dead body go and get a life stop sticking your nose in other peoples business. sit inside then you do not hear anything

Answer 10

no ofcourse..!! because it is not related to how much electricity you use in having black out.!!