Which Kind of Emergency Backup Generator is Right for Your Home?
Hello, hurricane season.
It’s that time of year again Tampa...Here in Florida, while we have great weather most of the year, we do have storms and issues that come with our rainy season. Around here, you have to be prepared for the possibility of extended power outages should we get a bad storm. Having a backup generator provides your home with temporary power during an outage. You’re not an electrical pro so it can be confusing to figure out which kind of backup generator to buy; our residential electrician explains how to pick a backup generator.
Power’s Out
A power outage can be a frightening event, especially if there is a hurricane or severe weather right outside your door. Especially in older parts of Tampa Bay, homes have more need for an emergency backup generator. Those large trees, old circuits/wiring, and stormy weather simply don’t mix.
You don’t have to be left in the dark though! An emergency backup generator is the answer. When the power grid is down due to a storm, you might encounter hours or even days of power outages, and it can be scary to not know how long it can take to restore power to your home.
Call our experienced electrical professionals. Axiom Power is licensed to help your home or office power through even the worst storm. Contact our contractors today!
Types of Generators: Permanent or Portable?
There are two types of backup generators: permanent standby and portable. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks, so it is best to make an informed decision based on where you live, and how much power you will need when the lights go out.
Permanent Standby Generators
Permanent standby generators remain permanently outside your home and stay on standby. These generators run on an existing fuel source—either liquid propane or natural gas— and can generate enough wattage to re-energize your home seconds after your house loses power.
The permanent generator works with a transfer switch to monitor incoming utility voltage. When your power goes out, the transfer switch disconnects the utility line and connects a new line of power from the generator to restore power in just a few seconds.
The downside, permanent standby generators carry a hefty price tag due to the sheer amount of power that they are capable of providing. A licensed electrician like those at Axiom Power must install these generators, and your local utility company must be notified that you have a backup system in place.
If you live in an area that consistently sees power outages, this type of generator may be a good option, and the best possible preparation money can buy. We are ready to install a permanent standby generator in your home or commercial building today. Call now!
Portable Generators
Portable generators are a more affordable option when you have only a few vital electrical items needed during a power outage, like a refrigerator. These generators are generally compact and can be wheeled in and out of the garage, and their primary fuel is gasoline.
Pro Safety Tip: Never run a portable generator inside your home, or in an enclosed space such as a garage. Deadly carbon monoxide gas can accumulate in enclosed areas. It is recommended that carbon monoxide detectors are installed inside your home if you have a portable backup generator.
Portable Generator Tips:
Take care when fueling a gasoline-powered generator. Never add fuel while it is running or hot. If the tank is overfilled, fuel could overflow onto a hot engine and cause a fire or explosion.
Only start or stop a generator when there are no electrical loads connected.
You can connect extension cords to portable generators to run inside appliances like refrigerators, sump pumps, hot water heaters, lamps, TVs, and computers.
Connecting a portable generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you and others. A portable generator connected directly to your home’s wiring can “back feed” onto the power lines connected to your home, injuring neighbors and utility workers. By working with a qualified electrician, like Axiom Power, you can have a manual transfer switch installed to safely tie into selected circuits of your main electrical panel. This ensures that when a portable generator is running and power is restored to your neighborhood, the power company’s electricity cannot get to these isolated circuits until the generator is turned off and the manual transfer switch is reset to the non-backup position.
Things to Consider Before You Buy a Generator
To pick the best backup generator for your home or office, you need to determine how much power you would need in the event of an outage.
What are the things that you can do without for a few days? Hot water? Cold food? Check the manufacturer information for each appliance in your home, and calculate the numbers. A portable generator might be your best option if you ensure that you are aware of the wattage limit of the generator. Depending on the model, a portable generator can generate between 2,500 - 15,000 watts. If you use this energy wisely, you’ll be able to comfortably endure an extended power outage.
Determine which electrical items are needed by your family in an emergency.
Tampa Bay homes need to back up the air conditioner to protect against mold damage as we have hotter temperatures and high humidity.
Homes with well-water will need to have the well pump on the generator if the toilets need to be flushed.
To save the food, your refrigerator will need to be on the system, as well as any stand-alone freezers.
Total the watts needed to determine what size generator is required for your needs -consider both running and starting watts. A licensed electrician can help make this determination, or you can check the manufacturer’s information for each appliance.
Determine your budget. While a portable generator is less expensive, if you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages, a permanent option might be the way to go!
Call our Back Up Generator Installers
At Axiom Power, we know how important it is to feel safe and secure during an extended power outage. There you have our best tips about what to look out for when shopping for an emergency backup generator.
Our local electricians are fully licensed and qualified to install permanent standby generators in your home or commercial building, as well as consult about available portable generator options. Call us today for a quote or consultation! Residential: Gregory Bennett (813) 308-9328 or Commercial: Jose Rivera (727) 687-4452.