Natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes are infamous for causing significant property destruction. While severe storms may cause extensive property damage, inclement weather or a mild storm is enough to cause a power outage. A power outage may not result in severe property damages, but the consequences can be dire in a home. Food will not stay fresh due to the shutdown of the refrigerator, the HVAC systems will not function, and the sump pump won’t operate during an outage. The damage a failed sump pump can cause in a house is enough to make an owner consider purchasing a backup power generator. Standby generators come in many types, and a home or a business owner must consider all the options before purchasing one because they are quite an investment.
Why Should You Buy A Standby Generator?
A power outage can occur after equipment damage from trees and wildlife or just an equipment failure. A backup generator shields you from the adverse effects of a power outage by making temporary power available after the disaster. It keeps essential home appliances running, including the sump pump, thereby shielding the home from flood damage. It also enables business operations to continue without a hitch. Before any purchase, it is crucial to determine if the generator will provide value for money by meeting the specific need for purchasing it. If your business or residence is prone to extended power outages, flooding, storms, the backup power generator will be worth every penny. Also, determine your business operations needs to purchase one that will sufficiently meet those requirements.
Choosing the Right Size Generator
One question that is so prevalent among many people is what size generator do I need? A stationary standby or a small portable generator is ideal for home use. These sizes run up to 50kW for a whole house standby generator and 2kW- 2000W for a recreational unit. They usually use a single-phase current to run smaller equipment that doesn’t require a lot of power. Industrial generators are available in many size options starting at 20kW and may exceed 3MW. They utilize 3-phase current for high motor power and are ideal for industrial applications and large businesses, including manufacturing facilities, shopping malls, office buildings, data centers, living centers, etc. The Top Benefits of a Backup Power GeneratorHaving a generator at home or business, whether a portable or permanent one, comes with many benefits that save on costs and prevent damage. Here is a compilation of the most crucial benefits of a standby generator to our homes and businesses.
- Instant and Uninterrupted Backup Power
An efficient home generator detects power loss on its own and delivers power instantly to ensure continuous running of appliances, sump pumps, HVAC systems, computers, and other items running. It ensures network systems, interior and exterior lighting, and security systems keep working seamlessly in a business.
- A Generator Operates in All Weather Conditions
Severe weather conditions such as rainstorms, snow, and hail can result in equipment failure at the main power grid without any warning. In case of power loss, the standby generator steps in and runs regardless of the weather. Power is restored to the home appliances and other items that require power, and business operations continue as planned, ensuring comfort to the employees.
- Provide Power Surge Protection
A power surge is quite dangerous and can damage electrical components and, even worse, cause an electrical fire. An automatic backup generator prevents hazardous power surges. You do not have to worry about damage to home appliances such as refrigerators, HVAC systems, office equipment, tools, computers, and other vital devices. Once the system detects a power failure, it reroutes all power to the generator, preventing dangerous electricity spikes.
- Ensures Peace of Mind
Peace of mind is guaranteed when you install a standby generator in your home or business. The generator is usually wired into your central electric system, ensuring an instant power supply in case of a power outage. This is vital in a business because you are always assured of power when you need it the most and help reduce business downtime and potential losses.
- Remote monitoring
Many generators come fitted with a feature that allows remote monitoring. You can access your generator from any location using a laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Besides checking your generator’s status, remote monitoring also allows you to set exercise periods, thereby enhancing the generator’s proper function. It also generates alerts that notify you of any issues before they can grow into major problems that may lead to failure.
- They Have A High Running Time
Backup power generators have powerful engines running on natural gas or diesel that provide the continuous power necessary to run all the home appliances and business systems. Natural gas generators need no refueling because the fuel comes directly from the pipeline. For the diesel-run generators, ensure you keep a stock of fuel in case of emergencies. The diesel must be stored in an approved, clean and cool container and at an accessible, dry place. Diesel remains a favorite power preference because it can stay in storage for six to twelve months without compromising fuel quality.
- Frozen Pipe Prevention
A power outage during the winter is very dangerous, as it could shut down the heat and cause a drastic drop in temperature in the house. Such an occurrence could result in frozen and burst pipes that could lead to severe destruction. That is why there has been a high demand for generators to curb such problems. These machines keep the heat on to prevent freezing of pipes and ensure the right home temperature for everyone’s comfort.
- Keeps Income Flowing
A backup generator keeps a business open during unexpected power outages. This is particularly essential for companies that operate around the clock, such as transportation companies or press offices. Besides the loss of revenue, a shutdown could also put the employee’s lives at risk. With a quality backup power generator, such incidents will be nonexistent.
Final Thoughts
A backup power generator is a worthy investment in a home or business. Although you have to dig deep into your pockets to purchase and install one, they offer many benefits. Ensure that you first determine the size generator you need before purchasing one to get the desired results.
