Is it good for homeowners to consider Generac emergency generators when planning for future power outage emergencies? Many homeowners take electricity — and all the things it allows them to do — for granted.
Keeping the lights and outlets on usually involves nothing more than paying the electric bill on-time every month. But that’s changing in many parts of the country due to unforeseen and stronger weather patterns, or even electrical utility mishaps and power maintenance failures.
It begs the question: Would you be able to live without electricity in your home? And would an emergency backup generator be the right investment for you and your household?
Power Outages: More Common Today
Generac emergency generators have become popular in recent years as rain and wind are an increasing problem in some parts of the country, with certain storms and seasons becoming worse. More residents are experiencing power outages over time, so state transportation and emergency departments are preparing.
Storms uproot trees and lightning shatters the sky. They put neighborhood electricity for so many homeowners at risk. In some areas, golf ball-sized hail pelts upon residents as they shelter in place during the storm.
If that weren’t enough, another type of power outage is being caused by wildfires mixed with winds in various parts of the United States. As wildfires continue to spread across some states, major electric companies have begun staging preemptive blackouts as a preventative measure. The forced blackouts, or “public safety power shutoffs,” intend to prevent wildfires from igniting power lines. In these cases, electric companies essentially leave millions of homeowners without electricity until they restore power.
Just a few years ago, it would have seemed crazy for state utility regulators to consider preemptive blackouts. Utility companies need to rework their electricity infrastructure enough to accommodate them in other ways. Until then, these blackouts are considered to be one of the best tools. Preemptive blackouts may become more common in the future despite their unpopularity with local communities.
This is why a home generator for emergencies is at the top of many homeowners’ wish lists, and Generac emergency generators have been a known brand in the marketplace for quite some time now.
Homeowner Reasons for Emergency Generators
In retrospect, many homeowners today probably thought they never needed their Generac emergency generators. Nobody looks forward to the idea of using an emergency generator as a backup source of electricity.
But even if you’ll “never need it,” you might want to consider investing in one. In the end, homeowners who did are glad they have one when they absolutely need it. In areas where rain storms, wind, wildfires, or other harsh weather events occur, it’s important to prepare your home by installing an emergency generator.
It’s also advisable for homeowners to have Generac emergency generators if they have anyone in their households who use electricity-powered medical equipment. The inconvenience of losing WiFi due to a power outage is one thing, but losing access to ventilators and oxygen machines is another. Batteries usually power durable medical equipment. However, duration limits their use. The battery pack of an oxygen machine or another medical device may only last for a few hours. An emergency generator ensures that if your power goes out, you can still get the medical care you need if someone in your home relies on electrically-powered medical equipment.
Additionally, considering an emergency backup generator is a good idea if you live somewhere that gets extremely hot. During certain times of the year, it’s worth considering if you cannot live without a fan or air conditioner. Heating systems run on gas and will continue to operate even during a power outage, but cooling systems use electricity to operate. The use of an emergency generator can be life-saving in the event of an outage if you live in a hot region or if someone in your home cannot handle high heat due to age or physical condition.
How Generac Emergency Generators Work
When there are power outages in residential neighborhoods across the nation, Generac emergency generators provide immediate and direct electricity. Your emergency backup generator will automatically switch on.
When there is a power outage, a home generator for emergencies acts as an insurance policy. The system functions as an independent electrical system completely off the grid, capable of supplying power to your entire home depending on the type and size of unit you purchase.
As with many home utility hookups, standby generators are permanently and professionally installed outdoors. A professional must install your generator. The hook-up requires tapping into a home’s main utility panel and existing electrical system via a transfer switch.
Standby generators run on natural gas or propane, depending on your set-up, as they cannot be powered by electricity.
Just know that — in spite of the fact it automatically kicks on and provides power to your entire home — Generac emergency generators are relatively expensive for many homeowners. Also, you must perform regular maintenance on them, such as running the generator on a regular basis each week or month. Once it is installed by a professional, know that it takes up some ground space outdoors.
Capabilities of an Emergency Generators
Today’s Generac emergency generators come with some modern capabilities that weren’t afforded to homeowners years ago:
- Many come with True Power Technology. You can enjoy clean, smooth power even when the power goes out. For appliances and electronics that are sensitive to power fluctuations, this is an essential convenience in any home generator for emergencies.
- The Mobile Link Remote Monitoring function is convenient. A smartphone, tablet, or personal computer help monitor your generator’s status from anywhere. When there is a power outage or when maintenance is scheduled by a professional, this can be very useful.
- You can also choose a unit with Smart Home Compatibility. An Amazon Alexa-enabled device can control your generator with voice commands. You can use this to start or stop the generator or check its status.
From 6Kw to 22Kw or higher, Generac emergency generators are available in a variety of sizes. During a power outage, the size of emergency backup generator you need will depend on the size of your home and how many appliances and electronics you want to power:
- The basic necessities — such as lights, refrigerator, and furnace — should be powered by a 6Kw generator for homes under 1,500 square feet.
- In homes up to 2,500 square feet, a 10Kw generator should power most appliances and electronics.
- For homes larger than 2,500 square feet, a 16Kw to 22Kw generator may be necessary to power all appliances and electronics.
Additional Considerations for Generac Emergency Generators
When selecting Generac emergency generators, homeowners should consider their capability and sizes.
Some generators can only power essential appliances and electronics in your home, while others can power all your appliances and electronics. Watts measure the power output of generators. Depending on the power they deliver, you can run multiple electronics and appliances simultaneously.
The power delivery and size specs of a generator determine how well it will power your home. When bogged down, an emergency backup generator that has a high output may stall or trip a circuit. Make sure to count how many watts your appliances and devices need altogether. Base this on what you don’t want to miss out on while the power is out.
The energy-use lists in this article can be relied on for calculating kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room appliances. Check it out sometime for a quick activity — and do your own math for some fun. Also, professional installers of Generac emergency generators can help.
W. Danley Electrical
At W. Danley Electrical, we assist you throughout the entire process — from answering questions you may have about Generac emergency generators to helping you prepare for the emergency backup generator installation process, obtaining permits, going through inspections, and much more. We help you optimize and fine-tune your situation so you get the most out of your investment, as well as determine your correct generator size. Contact us today.