Do You Need a Home Generator? What You Need to Know

Is your home missing a crucial safety and functional element? If you don't yet own a home generator, you might be unprepared for emergencies — and even just for comfortable daily living. Why? Here are a few of the most important reasons to purchase a home generator and what you need to know about your choices.

Why Get a Generator?

Unsurprisingly, the most popular reason to add a generator to your home is to prepare for disasters and extreme weather. Natural disasters and major storms are increasingly a concern for people across the country. If the power goes out, it could be hours, days, or even weeks before it's restored. Your generator is critical to sanitation, cooking, and security.

Even if you don't live in an area prone to storms, you may still be an ideal candidate for a home generator. Certainly, any household in which someone or something relies on continuous electricity needs a backup generator. Does your parent use an oxygen concentrator? Do you have a sump pump in the basement to keep out water? Or will your expensive, exotic fish die from a lack of air filtration? You need a backup plan.

What about the impact on your earning capacity if you lose power? Increasingly, entrepreneurs and employees alike rely on their home as a base for work. If you lose power to the house, can you continue to earn income? Would your home-based business suffer irreparable harm? Could your employer rescind permission to work from home? Would inventory spoil? A generator could be a valuable business expense.

What Kind of Generator Should You Buy?

So, if you think you need a generator, the next question is which one to buy. While individual features, price ranges, and fuels vary, generators usually come in three main varieties. The first is a small, portable unit. This has the least capacity, but its advantage is that you can move it around where you need it. You could take it camping, for instance, or power your backyard wedding.

The second type of home generator is a partial home generator. It is a middle-ground unit between a portable generator and one which powers the whole house. It is a permanent installation, but it's designed only to run a select group of essential elements. You might use it to power your home office, the air conditioner or heater, or the kitchen appliances.

Finally, there is a whole home generator. This is the most expensive option, but it provides the greatest coverage. In the event of power loss, the unit will generally switch over automatically from the electrical grid to the generator. It puts out enough electricity to power most or all of the home for a designated period of time.

What Are the Downsides of a Generator?

Of course, every purchase for your home has some sort of downside. Probably the biggest one for a home generator is the cost of purchase and installation. Permanent generators generally require a concrete slab outside the home, a power transfer switch, annual maintenance, and fuel. You may also need to purchase a generator that produces less noise.

Different types of fuel, too, have different costs and safety needs. For instance, gas and diesel should be safely stored away from sources of ignition. These fuels have a limited shelf life in storage. Solar-powered generators may need more solar panels to be installed to provide sufficient power. And, of course, they don't work at night or during cloudy conditions.

Where Can You Learn More? 

No matter why you need a home generator, the key to success is finding the right one. Get started today by meeting with the team at Family Heating, Cooling & Electrical Inc. We'll put our experience to work helping you make the best decision for your goals, needs, budget, and location. Call today to learn more.