Consider Installing a Standby Generator

Now is definitely the time to consider installing a standby generator. Hurricane season starts in a couple of months and there is no reason to believe that the shortage of electrical power will be corrected in the near future. Weather systems have been producing severe weather throughout North America and other parts of the world, in areas that have not seen these phenomena previously. The installation of a standby generator will provide you and your family with security and comfort in the event the power grid or local disaster stops the flow of electrical power to your home.

Standby generators come in a variety of sizes for both residential and commercial applications. The size governs the maximum power that you will have available in the even of a power outage. Some homeowners want the comfort and security provided by a total replacement of the incEAAoming power, while others are satisfied with having enough energy to maintain, heating, refrigerators, freezers, and some basic lighting.

Convenience is also a consideration when considering the size of the standby generator that you require. As an example, the stove and hot water tank (if they are electric) create the highest amount of power consumption in a home. A standby generator can be installed so that you can have hot water and your stove but not at the same time.

Heating and air conditioning are also heavy electrical energy draws. Again, a homeowner may be satisfied with the loss of air conditioning for a few days rather than pay for a standby generator that can deliver enough power to keep the house cool. If you have forced air heating, the blower uses a motor that requires electricity to operate. Without an operating blower, the furnace will not work even if gas or fuel oil supplies are still available.

A standby generator is not the same as a portable generator although a portable generator can be used to supply temporary power. Standby generators are generally installed so that they start automatically and switch the load, in the event of a power failure. A portable generator usually requires set-up, including the physical connection to whatever load it is to service, and must be started manually. The amount of fuel available is usually substantially different. Where a standby generator is usually equipped with enough fuel for at least 72 hours of uninterrupted operation a portable generator may have three to five hours of run time with its fuel supply.

Standby generators are available to operate from natural gas (NG), liquid propane (LP), or diesel fuel. If your local zoning will allow, I recommend the installation of a LP standby generator. LP has the advantage that it is stored on your property so that should the natural gas delivery system also be affected because of the natural disaster (in many instances the natural gas pipeline will be shut down after a natural disaster to avoid potential explosions from fallen wires), it will not affect your ability to generate electrical power. Diesel standby generators are generally used in commercial facilities. Diesel, although stored locally on the site, has the disadvantage that after a period of time it needs to be replaced, if not used. This can be a costly expense.

Whichever type of generator you purchase make sure you follow the manufacturers installation instructions and your local building codes. The installation of a standby generator does require a building permit. Remember that any electrical generator, portable or stationary, uses a combustion engine to power it. Where there is a combustion engine operating, you have will have carbon monoxide gas, which is toxic.

Proper planning is the key to a successful standby generator installation.

For additional information on standby generators for your home or other home improvement projects, visit Renovation Headquarters