STORMY WEATHER:
Are you prepared for the next blackout?
Saskatchewan has the third highest rate of recorded power outages in Canada, according to the Blackout and Power Outage Tracker published by Eaton, a global power management corporation.
The tracker shows that power outages in Saskatchewan increased by over 40 per cent from 2016 to 2017. Extreme weather and aging infrastructure are among the most common reasons for power outages in Canada.
We have recently witnessed the massive power outages Manitoba residents endured as a result of an October blizzard. How can Regina homeowners prepare for sudden blackouts and power outages?
An increasing number of Saskatchewan homeowners are equipping their properties with backup generator systems, says Percy Hoff, manager of DSG Power Systems in Saskatoon. “I’ve been in business here in Saskatoon since 1983 and it used to be that people were never concerned about power outages. In the last five years, however, the concern over weather conditions and power failures has been increasing year over year.”
Sales of home standby generators so far this year have already equalled the total number of systems DSG sold in 2018, he adds.
DSG is the authorized dealer in Saskatchewan for Generac power systems. Founded in 1959, Generac was the first company to engineer affordable home standby generators and is considered the industry’s leading manufacturer.
Generac produces a wide variety of auxiliary power systems, including portable models and standby generators.
What’s the difference between the two systems? A portable generator can be moved from one outdoor location to another. It must be started and stopped manually, requiring the homeowner to be on site to operate the system. Portable generators run on gasoline, which means they must be refilled to continue operating.
A standby generator is permanently installed outside your home, much like a central air conditioning unit. Connected to your home’s natural gas or propane supply, as soon as a power outage is detected, the generator automatically kicks in and runs until electrical service is restored. Diesel options are also available.
“The standby generator will operate until the power comes back on. Once it senses that the power is back up, the generator cools down and then shuts off,” says Hoff.
Having a standby generator provides homeowners with peace of mind, he adds. “Here in Saskatchewan, so many people go south in the winter. There’s a lot at risk if the power goes out. A pipe could break, the sump pump could stop working. The food in your fridge could begin to spoil. If the power goes out and you don’t have a backup system, you could come home to a disaster,” says Hoff.
Many of Generac’s standby generators come equipped with Wi-fi or a Mobile Link feature, which allows the homeowner to monitor the operating status of the generator from anywhere in the world by smart phone, tablet or computer. The Mobile Link also provides maintenance alerts.
Professional installation by an electrician is advised. “Typically, we have a certified electrician install the system. It has to meet the electrical code in Saskatchewan,” says Hoff. With newer homes, installation is fairly straightforward. “Sometimes when we get to older homes, there’s more work to do,” he adds.
The power produced by Generac’s standby system is controlled and continuous. “Generac has what they call ‘two powers’; it’s very reliable and clean. Any electronics that are sensitive to voltage spikes are all protected with the Generac system. However, if the homeowner has something set up with a surge protector, they should continue to use that as well, as a secondary precaution,” says Hoff.
Generac offers a diverse range of standby systems, which produce from 7.5 to 150 kilowatts of power. “It depends on what you want the system to do. You could get a low-budget system that will provide the essentials, such as keeping the furnace and a few lights going. Or you can get one that powers everything in the entire house, including your major appliances and the air conditioner. Those take more power,” says Hoff. “By looking at a homeowners’ previous power bills, we can analyze their consumption and provide an estimate. We can also visit their home and identify what the customer wants the system to power.”
To book a consultation, homeowners can contact DSG Power Systems by phone or email. For more details, visit www.dieselservices.com.