The past week has hit us with some of the hottest weather we’ve experienced in recent years after a winter of unprecedented rain.

So when a scheduled power outage comes along, the benefits are a tough thing to sell.

Julie and Neil Rattray will face a tougher challenge than most when the power at Mullion Creek is cut for the day on Thursday because Mrs Rattray’s 83-year-old mother suffers from health conditions making it difficult for her to breathe in hot weather.

They say there have been plenty of unplanned outages to boot and the middle of Orange has also had its share in recent months.

On the one hand, it’s reasonable to expect a consistent power supply because while not in a metropolitan area, the region is hardly remote and everyone pays power bills the same as they would on the coast.

When a location is not classed as remote, people who suffer from health conditions should not be expected to have to move because power cannot be delivered reliably. 

Situations where a property is not linked to town water suffer more during outages because they not only lose their power, but their water as well and it would be common sense to avoid routine maintenance at those properties in the hottest months of the year.

On the other hand, those who own properties without the safeguard of town water or other amenities do take a risk with supply and it certainly pays to prepare for times when things fail, whether it’s a generator or visiting friends or family.

Essential Energy is also trying to achieve consistent supply through this maintenance work and have identified the area as an unplanned outage risk.

The argument could be easily put that one day without water and air conditioning is better than potentially several if the transformer fails and damages other equipment.

Bushfires have ravaged drier areas across the region in recent days, including 217 hectares of farmland northeast of Orange on Tuesday.

If a blaze comes through, electricity is cut and for those with water tanks, that means no water. 

The NSW Rural Fire Service is always reminding us to have an emergency plan, which for rural landholders is especially important.

If we prepare for the worst, it also means being prepared for lesser inconveniences.