[DangeloInspections]

This has been a contentious issue for years. Most homes in The Villages have two GFCI protected circuits in the garage. By code, all outlets in the garage must be GFCI protected.

Some folks have an Electrician add a separate circuit....but most Electricians will only install another GFCI protected circuit to pass code...so you are really not 100% solving the problem. The code DOES allow a non-GFCI circuit for a single receptacle for a large, not easily moved appliance like a freezer....but we rarely see this. This is the best solution, and who knows if newer codes will even still allow this.

Another solution is to install a battery powered "Freezer alarm" on your freezer. They cost less than $20 on amazon. If the GFCI trips and the temp starts to go up this alarm will start beeping.

Also, if your freezer does not have a power light on it, plug in a small nightlight on the same circuit and train yourself to always look at it whenever you are in the garage.

Lastly, take a small cup, fill it with water halfway, freeze it, then place a penny on top of the frozen water. Keep this in the freezer. If while away the power goes out, then comes back on you will know to throw away all the food if you return to find the penny frozen on the bottom of the refrozen water.

Hope this helps! Frank D.