When you have a standby generator installed, you don’t have to worry about losing power during an outage. Whether you live in an area with frequent outages or you’re concerned about your loved ones, it’s a good idea to get one.
Portable generators need to be stored away from home and then fueled up when needed. They also release fumes that can be harmful to your health.
Automatically Starts When Power Goes Out
Power outages can happen for many reasons, including equipment failure, lightning strikes and high winds. Regardless of the cause, they can disrupt your life. The good news is that you can prepare for them. A standby generator can help you keep on top of your daily routines even when the electricity goes out.
To prepare for a power outage, start by writing down a list of the appliances that require a lot of wattage to run and how long you want them to be on during an outage. It’s also a good idea to check with your neighbors and look up severe weather reports online. Having a backup plan can mean the difference between getting your lights on and not seeing them for days. Another smart idea is to install an automatic transfer switch that limits the amount of wattage that a standby generator supplies to specific circuits during an outage. This will save you money on your power bill in the long run.
Automatically Shuts Off When Power Is Restored
A power outage can happen for many reasons, including a failure of components that make up your electrical system. These can include the age of a transformer or fuse box, animals infected with electrical equipment, and bad weather.
But when it happens, a standby generator can be of great help. It detects an outage, starts the generator engine, and connects it to your home’s electricity system. When the power is restored, the standby system disconnects the generator and reconnects your utility lines. It then runs a short cool-down cycle, shuts off the generator, and waits for the next outage.
If you’re worried that your standby generator will turn off when the power is back on, you should check the settings to make sure it’s set to automatically shut off. If it’s not, you should disable the setting and restart your generator to see if that helps. If you do find that it does turn off, contact a professional to help you determine why it’s turning off.
Saves You Money in the Long Run
Investing in a home standby generator can be an investment that pays off for years to come. It can save you money on maintenance and repairs, avoid costly insurance claims, and increase the resale value of your home.
Some areas are more prone to natural disasters and frequent power outages than others. If you live in an area that experiences a lot of outages, it’s worth investing in a generator to keep yourself and your family comfortable.
A whole-house generator runs on natural gas or liquid propane and will keep your entire house functioning when the electricity goes out. This can help you avoid problems like ruined food in the refrigerator and frozen pipes during the winter. In addition, a generator could help you save on expenses by keeping the heat on and running your refrigerator and HVAC system during an outage.
It’s Easy to Maintain
Just like cars, standby generators need to be regularly inspected and maintained. They should get bi-annual maintenance and weekly test cycles so that they will last as long as possible.
All backup generators should have annual inspections of their spark plugs to make sure they’re clean and firing properly. If they have excessive carbon build up, broken tips, or a weak ignition, they should be replaced.
A good quality home standby generator should last you 20-30 years when properly maintained and inspected. Keeping it free from snow or debris and using less electricity during power outages will increase its lifespan.
Most standby generators also feature WiFi connectivity, allowing you to monitor their status from your smartphone. This can be a lifesaver when your power goes out and you’re out of town or away on vacation.