Power outages happen even in highly developed countries like the United States. Approximately 3.5 million people lose power each week. Families can experience up to 5 outages each year (NYT). How long each outage lasts depends on why it happened and how fast utility companies can resolve it. Most homeowners can only wait for the power to come back, while others buy a standby generator to alleviate the impact of the situation. This article discusses everything you need to know regarding the query, “What is a standby generator?”
What Is A Standby Generator?
Contents
When a home loses power, backup generators can begin operation. This allows households to go back to living their normal lives even when there are blackouts. There are also large generators to be used in commercial and industrial settings. A generator’s size and weight mean they should settle in one spot that’s typically on a concrete pad located outside a house or building. They work as a backup in case of a grid failure or during disasters. Remember that they aren’t meant to be a home’s primary power source. However, they can run for days when needed.
How Does a Backup Generator Work?
Whole-house generators are fuel-powered. Most utilize natural gas or propane, so purchase a generator per the fuel type in your home. A generator works through the conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy. How much output a generator has depends on the generator size. You need to determine how much wattage you need per your household appliances. HVAC systems are likely the highest energy consumer. Hire an expert to help you select and connect the generator to the wiring system in your home.
What to Expect Out of a Whole-House Generator
Here are several expectations you should have with a whole-house generator:
Automatic Blackout Detection
You can set your whole-house generator to detect blackouts. This way, they start automatically when matched with an automatic transfer switch. This begins the power transfer in seconds. It is important as darkness and confusion typically happen right after power outages. It may not be possible to go out and manually turn on your generator if it is storming outside. Automatic detection saves you from the hassle while order is restored in your house immediately.
Adequate Energy for the Entire Household
A whole-house generator produces sufficient energy to power all home appliances, unlike small portable generators. You can turn on all lights and watch television all you want without any worries. You also don’t have to think twice about using air conditioners or other machines that use a lot of power.
On-demand Fuel for Continuous Operation
Fuel comes from gas lines, so you don’t need to store them in your house. Many homes also install a propane tank to power their generator. If you use natural gas, you don’t have to worry about running out of fuel as long as the gas lines work as they should. The generator simply consumes as much fuel as it needs to operate.
Resistance Against Corrosion
Generators do not break easily. Most generators come with multi-year warranties, so homeowners can buy them with confidence. If you are concerned about corrosion, check out stainless steel generators, as they offer better longevity than generators made of carbon steel or aluminum.
Substantial Noise Emission
It is normal that machines with multiple moving components make some substantial noise. This includes standby generators. As a result, they must be placed in the correct location in the house. They should be on a stable foundation to reduce the vibration. They should also be located far from bedrooms so people can sleep well.
The Benefits of Having a Standby Generator
Having a standby generator is beneficial in many ways, such as the following:
Continuous Household Comfort
Stormy weather and frequent power outages can be uncomfortable for the whole family. You will have to bear the frigid air in the winter and the unbearable heat in the summer. People, especially children and seniors can be vulnerable to extreme temperatures. They can suffer from illnesses under these conditions. A generator helps eliminate this issue as you can continuously use your HVAC system and receive continuous comfort.
Prevention of Burst Pipes
Pipes that freeze can expand and burst. As a result, they require expensive repairs. Ensure that your home is kept at the right temperatures during the winter so that this does not happen. Generators help prevent your plumbing system from bursting when the grid fails.
Lighting for Safety and Security
It is difficult to move around a dark home. Accidents can happen, and it is also scary to go without lights at night. Anyone can slip into your home without anyone seeing. Generators will ensure the lights stay on so you can be safe and secured and have peace of mind.
Food Preservation
Some foods spoil faster if they aren’t kept frozen. Prolonged power outages mean these foods are more likely to spoil. Generators help keep your food fresh, and you don’t have to worry about food waste.
Uninterrupted Home Office Work
More people work at home, so it is crucial that the lights and computers remain switched on and running. A standby generator helps ensure you are connected and productive. Generators also make remote work possible even in areas that do not have reliable power grids.
Continuous Power To Medical Equipment
A lot of medical equipment needs electricity to work. A standby generator ensures that the medical equipment runs as it should, even during a power outage.
Conclusion
It is hard to go on with our daily lives without the comfort that our modern appliances and gadgets bring. Power outages can detach us from our usual routines, leave us unproductive in our work or studies, and be vulnerable to the elements. A standby generator can help you when you need power. It will bring your home back to normal in a matter of seconds. Ensure you pick the right generator to fit your needs. Have a professional installer, like PFO Heating & Air Conditioning, help you set it up.
Call PFO Heating & Air Conditioning For All Of Your Standby Generator Needs
PFO Heating & Air Conditioning is a leading generator installation service provider in the Greater Princeton, NJ area. Besides installing backup generators, our company also conducts generator replacements, repairs, and generator maintenance services. We have only the best service contractors on staff, and they are well trained in the most advanced methods of generator techniques. Call or contact us online today to learn more about whole-house generator installation. Rest assured, industry experts will answer all your generator queries. We offer free, in-home estimates.
Click here to contact us now or call us at (800) 253-9001 to find out more!