As the last few months have proven, you can’t predict the weather. Nothing is worse than being left without power for a few hours or even days. The latter was the reality for thousands of homeowners in our area recently.
What if this happens to you again? Will you have a plan if the power goes out and you’re left in a hot house? Investing in a whole-home generator can offer peace of mind in ways you might not have considered.
When you lose power, you lose the modern conveniences we often take for granted, including essential necessities like cooking, enjoying hot water, and heating and cooling your home. Having standby power for the entire home is a smart way to protect your home and family when the weather gets frightful.
First, a point of clarification: there’s nothing wrong with a portable generator. We can tell you that portable generators are the ideal solution in many situations. For instance, if you’re going on a campout and want to power up an electric grill, a portable one will serve you well.
But the thing about a portable system is that while it can get the job done in certain contexts, the one situation where it won’t deliver is if you want to power your entire home during a widespread power outage. In this case, you’ll need a whole-home automatic standby generator.
You’ll thank us later. That’s because this system allows you to power up all the important components of your property, if needed. That said, here’s a look at the main benefits of investing in a whole-home generator.
Fuel Efficiency
Portable generators can be expensive in that they need a tank of propane or gasoline. Just consider the fact that if you expect to use it during a power outage, you’ll have to buy more fuel depending on how long the power outage lasts.
Whole-house generators, however, can be hooked right up to the natural gas line that supplies your home. This means you have a contingency plan if the power goes out. You also won’t need to worry about having enough fuel on hand in the middle of an emergency.
Convenience
These whole-home systems are called “automatic standby generators” because they function seamlessly when the power goes out, and they’re always on standby. While you should have your generator professionally inspected each year to ensure its condition, you won’t have to fuss with switching anything on in the middle of a storm or in the middle of the night if the power goes off then. It’s not magic but it’s close! That’s because a whole-house automatic standby generator will automatically pick up the slack if you lose power.
Improved Safety
Running your propane-powered portable generator close to your home, such as in your garage can pose certain dangers. For example, the fumes that are created could make your family members sick. Some might not realize that these machines don’t just produce electricity; they also produce heat and carbon monoxide. Both are a dangerous combination in confined spaces.
Portable generators need to be set up in a well-ventilated area to avoid the buildup of carbon monoxide in and around the home. Without consideration for proper ventilation, a portable generator becomes an inside threat. You also need to take care to properly hook up the extension cords needed to send power to the appropriate appliances.
Now for the good news: Because whole house generators are professionally installed outside and hooked up to the home’s power grid, they don’t present the same dangers as portable generators. You don’t have to worry about wires and all of the carbon monoxide disperses safely outside.
Upkeep and Maintenance
Generators are complex machines with a lot of moving parts and that means there’s a good chance things can go wrong. That said, it’s important to give proper attention to the upkeep and maintenance required to keep your generator humming.
Portable generators require much less rigorous upkeep and maintenance than more substantial units. They do need oil and filters changed, but it’s fairly easy for an amateur.
Whole house generators have a larger footprint than portable ones, and they’re enclosed inside a large, insulated case for protection. This means it’s more difficult to perform maintenance on these machines yourself. However, there are some outstanding maintenance programs available for whole house generators that can help you take care of your investment. And when properly maintained, you can expect the whole-home generator to guard you and your family for years and years—decades if you get a strong brand.
Better Long-Term Costs
Generators are one of those things you hope you’ll never need, but you’re glad when you’re in a pickle both in terms of convenience and costs. As stated above, you won’t have to worry about the fuel factor. There are other points to consider related to money that aren’t inconsequential. For instance, you won’t have to worry about the cost of replacing all the food in your refrigerator because the portable system wasn’t powerful enough to run both the heater and the fridge. That’s never a welcome surprise.
At the end of the day, a whole-home generator offers comfort and safety when you need it the most. A professionally installed one hooked into your home’s power grid gives you and your family the peace of mind knowing that rain or shine, you’ll still have power.
Still on the fence? While the upfront investment is not modest by any means, you will see a ROI. A generator will increase the value of your house when you get ready to sell by as much as 5%, according to Consumer Reports.
Another factor to consider is that the latest versions incorporate smart home technology, allowing a homeowner to check on or even start a generator even if they’re away from home. Thanks to wireless monitoring, you can benefit from messages sent to your phone or laptop, allowing you to ensure they’re working.
Schedule your installation today by calling (800) 621-6679.