*Updated 28th June 2024:
We’re glad to say, the days of the 3 day week and darkened 1970s evenings are a distant memory and it’s unlikely we’ll ever have to live through times like that again. However on 24th October 2022 The National Grid has warned us we could experience 3 hour long power cuts over the winter. Now while they are now fortunately few and far between when there is a power outage it can cause a host of problems.
One question we are constantly asked by our customers is “ can i use my stairlift if there is a powercut or planned power outage? Well the good news is because they are battery powered as long as you keep it charged at all times you will still be able to use your stairlift and won’t be left stranded midway up the stairs.
This is unlike the classic scene from Phoenix Nights when Brian Potter got stuck mid journey, in the middle of the night? (he must have left his stairlift off its charge point!)
Who remembers the classic scene from Phoenix Nights when Brian Potter got stuck mid journey, in the middle of the night? (he must have left his stairlift off its charge point!)
How Does A Stairlift Work?
To help reassure you that you will still be able to use your stairlift when there is a powercut lets take a look at how they work. A stairlift consists of four main components that allow it to function efficiently which are:
The Seat: Seats are manufactured from sturdy materials and equipped with seatbelts and footrests that ensure you can traverse your stairs in safety and comfort.
The Motor: The motor is located beneath the seat and this will drive the stairlift along the track.
Rail or Track: Stairlift tracks are generally constructed from aluminium and these are what allow your chair to move up and down stairs.
Lithium Battery: Now for those of you worried about powercuts, this is the important part. All our stairlifts are powered by high quality efficient long lasting lithium batteries which will be charged up when your stairlift is stationary at the top or bottom of your stairs.
However, just to be on the safe side, always check that your battery is charging to ensure you don’t end up unable to move safely around the house.
So What Happens In The Event Of A Powercut
The short answer is that, in the case of a short power cut (and few power cuts last longer than a few hours), there should be no problem at all.
That’s because your stairlift operates on batteries within the body of the unit.
Those batteries start recharging when the stairlift reaches the connection charge points at either end of the track. On some models, the entire track is a connection point, so it doesn’t matter when you get off the chair, it will keep on charging.
As with all batteries, they won’t last forever without being regularly topped up with power, but they should retain plenty of juice to ensure that you can still travel between the floors of your home, power cut or not.
For more stairlift FAQs take a look at this blog.
Keeping Your Stairlift Charged
Stairlifts are battery powered, so the most important thing to remember in all of this is that your stair lift needs to stay fully charged at all times so that if a power cut or outage does strike, the batteries are starting from a fully topped-up position.
Where charge points are at both ends of the track (top and bottom), always make sure you run the chair to the end of the track so it connects with the charger.
You’ll know if your chair is left off its charge point because the stairlift will bleep at you.
High Quality New and Reconditioned Stairlifts at Affordable Prices
If you struggle with mobility issues but want to make sure you can move safely around your home even when the power goes off speak to the team here at Leodis today. We offer our clients a comprehensive range of new and reconditioned straight and curved stairlifts suitable for homes with all different layouts.
As a leading independent stairlift provider in the UK we pride ourselves on delivering high quality products at affordable prices. We also offer a stairlift rental option for anyone who may only need help navigating the stairs for a short period of time. So, if you are in need of help moving around your home why not take advantage of our range of high quality Stairlifts.
Want to ask a question about your stairlift? Don’t hesitate to give us a call
Call us today on 0800 542 6045
