Never feel powerless again — get a generator
A professional installer will help determine how much power your home is likely to use during an outage so you can be advised on the appropriate size to purchase.
June 1 is the official start of hurricane season. But even before then, there could be several winter storms, or even a bad rain system that knocks out your power and leaves you vulnerable.
Electrical storms, ice storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding — all of these weather events and more can inflict damage on the electrical utility grid, plunging your home into darkness for hours, days, or even weeks.
Now more than ever, people are reliant on electricity to power their homes.
Many may still be working from home. Should the power go out, the disruption is more than an inconvenience.
Working may be impossible, and food can spoil.
If someone in your home has special medical needs requiring critical medical devices such as CPAP machine, oxygen machine, even feeding machine, having a disruption in power puts them at risk for harm.
There are two types of generators: portable and standby.
• Portable generators are gas powered and are able to supply electricity to run an appliance, a TV or to charge devices. This type of generator must be connected outside of the home and extension cords must be used. Keep in mind that you could have difficulty getting gasoline to keep it powered if gas stations cannot operate due to a power outage.
• Standby home generators are permanently installed and connected to a natural gas or liquid propane source. It sits outside just like a central air conditioning unit and delivers power directly to your home’s electrical system, backing up your entire home or just the most essential source. When power goes out, a standby generator automatically switches on, and when power is restored, it turns off. Standby generators provide a peace of mind, which has been described as “indescribable.” You can stay cool, comfortable and productive should the power go out in your home. Unlike some home improvement projects, a standby generator definitely increases the resale value of a home.
Whether you are at home or away, your property will be protected from a power outage. Some standby generators, can be operated remotely from a smartphone allowing you to view real-time power status, manage your entire system and receive instant generator updates.
A licensed electrician and plumber will be required for the installation. Local regulations can impact the placement and availability of service on the property. Sizing a generator correctly is extremely important. Since you never know when an outage may occur, it’s best to allow for any automatic loads such as a central A/C unit or large appliances like a dryer. A professional installer will help determine how much power your home is likely to use during an outage so you can be advised on the appropriate size to purchase.
This article was provided by a member of the Remodelers Council of the Greater Houston Builders Association. To reach the author directly, email jared@generatorind.com. For more information on this article, please contact Lorraine Hart at lorraine@idealconsulting.net . To join the council or to find a professional remodeler in your area, please visit www.ghba.org .