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3 Things To Know About A Whole-House Standby Generator

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If you've ever lost a freezer or refrigerator full of food to a prolonged power outage, you probably dread the thought of the power going out every time it storms. Rather than risk being without power, consider having a whole-house standby generator installed.

One of these generators is more convenient and safer to use than a gas-powered generator, and you may never have to worry about suffering through a muggy and hot summer night without power again. Here are some things to know about one of these generators.

The Generators Can Run On Natural Gas Or Propane

Many brands offer the choice of buying a model that runs on propane or one that runs on natural gas. If you already have gas or propane, then you can avoid the cost associated with having a gas hookup or tank installed.

If you hook your generator up to a propane tank, you'll want to be more watchful about letting the tank get too low before you fill it. While you may not use the generator very often and you probably won't need a lot of gas for it, you want enough propane in the tank to operate your home should the power go out and stay out for days.

The Generator Turns On And Off Automatically

A benefit of getting a standby generator is that it is always in place waiting to flip on when the power drops. You won't have to hook anything up or run and get supplies. The generator senses the drop in power and turns itself on.

When the electrician installs the generator, it's hooked up to a transfer switch so the generator operates safely and doesn't send power to the grid that could harm someone. All of this happens automatically, and when the power comes back on, the generator senses the electricity and shuts itself down.

Sizing The Generator Is An Important Step

You can have an in-home evaluation so the generator representative can help you choose the right size for your home. They take into account all the appliances in your home as well as your climate control system and square footage of your house when determining size. Choosing the right size is important because the more power you buy, the more you have to pay.

You can buy a generator capable of running your home at your usual pace. You could also buy a smaller model and run everything in your home in a more conservative way. To save the most money, you may just want backup power to certain parts of your home so your food doesn't spoil and so you have a room where you can be cool or warm and comfortable.

A generator, such as a Generac whole-house standby generator, can keep you comfortable in your home during an extended power outage. It can spare you from the loss of a freezer full of expensive meat and other foods, and you'll have improved home security when you have the ability to operate lights during the outage.


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