Like most people, you have probably built a life of convenience by purchasing appliances and other electronic devices. But none of them will work if your power goes out. You’ll have to do without everything that runs on electricity — from your refrigerator to your HVAC system. This situation can be problematic during periods of extreme temperatures, but it doesn’t have to be the case. A home generator will kick into action as soon as an outage occurs.
Here are some good reasons to install a backup generator for your home.
#1: They Can Offer a Long-Lasting Power Supply
According to the Famer’s Electric Cooperative, the average duration of a power outage is about 2.5 hours. But they can last longer during strong storms and extreme weather events. It may take days or even weeks for utility companies to take care of the issue, which is a long time to have your perishable goods stored in makeshift coolers or spend time in the heat or cold. Standby generators can give you long-lasting power. Most units will run long enough to provide electricity during an extended outage, and most of them will be able to provide power to a mid-sized home for about 500 hours (20 days) before it needs maintenance.
#2: They Can Power Your Entire Home
You may not want to use the next power outage to run your dishwasher, washing machine, and HVAC system all at the same time. But you probably could. Standby generators can provide a lot more power than portable ones. A portable generator can supply 3,000-8,500 watts of power, but a whole-house generator can generate up to 20,000 watts of power.
#3: They Can Seamlessly Transition from Darkness to Light
Having your power go out is enough to remind you of how dark your home’s interior can get. While most people go to bed with all the lights turned off, there is still some residual lighting from appliances and outdoor fixtures that make their way inside. But in the total darkness of a blackout event, you and your family may feel unnerved. Standby generators are designed to seamlessly switch the electricity demands of homes from the utility company’s power supply to their own. Your lights may go down for a few seconds, but they’ll come right back once the generator kicks in.
#4: They Can Protect Any Residents with Special Needs
If you have anyone in your household with chronic, terminal, or age-related conditions that require 24-hour access to electricity, having a backup generator is essential. Medical equipment (such as ventilators, oxygen concentrators, medication monitors, and mobility devices) will continue to work during a outage if you have a generator. It will prevent the exacerbation of symptoms, increased reliance on outside medical support, and having to move to a hotel room.
When you’re thinking about the special needs of certain members of your household, you also need to think about what your pets need. Do you have fish that rely on a heater and filter? Do you have an animal that can’t survive long without the warmth of a special light? If you have a whole-house generator, you’ll be able to keep them safe and comfortable during a power outage.
#5: They Will Limit Any Outage-Related Losses
For a lot of homeowners, power outages seem to happen right after they have loaded up their refrigerators and deep freezers with perishable food. But with a standby generator, you’ll be able to keep it fresh and safe for consumption. When your area experiences prolonged and widespread power outages, your food supply can be impacted. If everyone in your neighborhood loses their perishable goods, they’ll be looking for them in stores once the power comes back on.
If grocery stores have been impacted by the same outage, they may have very few or no supplies to meet the increase in demand. Instead of dealing with overcrowded stores that may or may not have what you need, a generator will allow you to wait for the fallout to end. With more people buying food in bulk to save money, many households have a lot to lose when outages occur. If you have food stashed away, investing in a whole-house generator can help you protect the time and money you have invested in bulk shopping.
#6: They Can Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
One of the most common causes of carbon monoxide poisoning is cooking indoors with outdoor cooking equipment. A lot of homeowners make the mistake of firing up their camping stoves for warmth and to prepare meals, even though they don’t have any feasible way of venting them. You may know better, but the desperation that these situations can cause may lead to someone taking more risks. Having a standby generator will eliminate this problem. You and your family will be able to eat well and rest in a more comfortable environment without having to use potentially dangerous survival tactics.
If you’re looking for one of the best places to get a standby generator for your home, be sure to reach out to Solar Power Integrator.