A backup generator helps you make it through any outage comfortably and safely, prevents home damage by keeping crucial systems running, saves you money and ensures that life goes on as normal when power goes off.

Before making a generator purchase, you need to consider the following:

• Your geographical location
• The size of your home
• Number and type of appliances and equipment that you require power backup

There are two generator options available for home backup power:

• Standby (or whole house generator)
• Portable generator.

Both provide the power you need but with some important differences that you need to understand.

• Standby generators - A standby generator is permanently installed outside your home, and usually runs on propane or natural gas. If power goes out, the generator turns on automatically, supplying power to your home again in moments. Standby generators can be expensive but many homeowners living in hurricane or flood-prone areas, find that they are a smart investment.
• Portable generators - These usually run on gasoline or diesel, though natural gas and propane models are available. Because of its mobility and lower cost, these generators are ideal if you require only limited and occasional backup power. But there are a few safety issues that you need to be aware of, which we’ll share later in this article.

Standby and portable generators - Get the facts.

• Standby generator installation
  This should be handled professionally as it involves permits, building codes, and professional electrical, plumbing and potentially gas line work if your power source is natural gas.
• Standby generator benefits
  Can power essential items such as your refrigerator, cooking appliances, furnace, entertainment and medical devices, and necessary business equipment to prevent having to throw out hundreds of dollars in spoiled food, prevent frozen pipes from bursting that cost potentially thousands of dollars in damage, keeps sump pumps running and prevent flooding.
• Portable generators - How they work
  This generator is a good, back-up solution for people that only lose power on rare occasions. It runs on gasoline, diesel, natural gas or propane and can be used to supply power safely to a select number of items in your home. It should not be used without having a properly installed generator transfer switch.
• Portable generator benefits
  Portable generators cost substantially less than a standby generator and because of its size, can be easily moved to wherever you need it, at home, camping, etc.
• Portable generator safety
  Never plug your generator directly into the wall outlet (known as backfeeding). This sends power beyond the house, which could kill or injure utility workers and others served by the same utility transformer. Portable generators must be kept outside in a dry area, never inside the home or any enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces such as your basement, garage, or crawl space because of the carbon monoxide (CO) emitted while the generator is running, electrocution and fire risks.

Now that you know what types of generators are available, talk with a professional to help you decide whether a standby or portable one is right for you.

We have of the whole home generator options you need.
Call 845.343.6909 to learn more.