A home standby generator may not be top of your wish list but if you’re hit with a power outage at midnight, it will be the best thing that you’ve ever purchased.
Power outages can be caused during storms, accidents, overloads, etc. Or they can be a result of the power supply company having some sort of problem. Whatever the cause, have you ever noticed these outages occur at the most inconvenient of times?
You can save yourself a lot of this inconvenience with a home standby generator.
During a blackout, you will still be able to use your electric appliances, heaters, lights, air conditioners, and computers. A standby generator is one that is permanently installed outside your home – much like the unit that makes your air conditioner work. As soon as a power outage occurs your generator will kick in automatically and supply power to electrical circuits that you have pre-selected.
How good is that?
A home standby generator is more effective than a portable generator because it is capable of distributing a much larger amount of power. The generator has its own engine which may be petrol, diesel or gas. It is connected to the same lines that carry your normal electricity.
You should run your generator for a short period every week to make sure it stays lubricated. Don’t wait until a power outage happens and then get mad because the generator won’t work. It is not good for them to stand idle for long periods of time. When it comes to choosing your home standby generator, be careful not to choose one that is too small for your needs.
A generator that is not powerful enough will be overloaded and eventually break down. This may also cause damage to appliances that are in operation when the generator cuts out.
Consider your future electricity requirements
When deciding on what size to purchase, you should not only consider your present electricity requirements, but you should think about the future. Perhaps you have small children whose needs are not very great at the moment, but they will soon grow into young adults. This will probably require you to buy more appliances, and possibly even increase the size of your home.
If you are planning renovations or extensions to your home, don’t buy your home standby generator until the work is complete. Your renovations may include the installation of additional air conditioning units and heaters. These will dramatically increase electricity consumption in your home.
All this needs to be considered prior to installation.
Your home standby generator will be a big investment that will serve you well for many years. Have it installed in a well protected area away from excessive sun and rain. Maintain it well and it will keep you and your family living comfortably during all power outages.