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Discover the Benefits of a Home Generator
Homeowners depend on a reliable source of electricity to power lights, major appliances, and numerous other devices. If the electricity for the home is off line for any reason, none of those essential items will function. That’s a huge inconvenience and, in some situations, may be life-threatening.
However, there are alternative ways to generate electricity, at Aquarius Home Services, we suggest that homeowners consider installing a fuel efficient backup generator to provide power when the local utility provider can’t do so.
Having a backup generator can produce enough power to keep your furnace running, sump pump pumping, and refrigerator cool. Depending on where you live and for how long the power is out, an independent generator can be life-saving.
What Types of Backup power Sources Are Available?
Twin City property owners have access to two types of backup generators to provide power during a utility company power outage: portable and standby systems. Though they have many similarities, each type of system has its advantages and disadvantages.
Our experts review how each type of system works and discuss the pros and cons of each with our clients to find which option is right for their specific needs. But, before that happens, we want every client to understand the differences between the two options.
Portable Generators.
As the name suggests, these generators can be moved from place to place as they’re needed. While many homeowners reserve these generators for emergency use when their home looses electricity, the devices can also provide power on construction sites or allow campers to use electrical devices even in parks or other sites where no power is provided. Of course, users may find portable generators useful in a variety of other circumstances.
Standby Generators.
This type of generator is permanently installed to provide power for homes during outages and is typically a more powerful generator. The units generally have a larger capacity than smaller portable units and may power homes as well as the municipal power-grid could. Our experts work with clients to determine which standby system would best serve their needs and sufficiently supplement your home’s electrical panel.
Since it isn’t always easy to determine which type of backup power should be used, it’s important to work with our well educated team members to evaluate your home’s needs as well as your budget before deciding how to proceed.
What Kind of Fuel do Backup Generators Use?
Aquarius Home Services experts work with clients to determine which types of fuel for backup generators best meet their needs. In the Twin Cities, homeowners usually have four fuel options to power their home generators.
Portable generators commonly use gasoline, but some models may have other options available. Standby systems, on the other hand, are commonly fueled by diesel, natural gas, or liquid propane.
When deciding which fuel type to use, property owners may base their decision on how easy it is to obtain fuel, the operating costs of each fuel type, and safety concerns. Portable generators relying on gasoline must be refueled frequently, and gasoline is often unavailable during power outages.
Diesel fuel is generally safer to store than gasoline, which is an important factor for homeowners. Propane requires having supply tanks on the site, and those tanks must be filled by a certified provider. However, unlike gasoline or diesel fuel, propane doesn’t deteriorate, making it a solid option for neighborhoods without access to natural gas.
Natural gas is probably the most popular choice in the region as there is no need to store a fuel supply. The fuel is piped directly to the generator from the home’s supply line.
Do Generators Provide Sufficient Power for Today's Homes During Outages?
As noted earlier, different generators provide dramatically different amounts of power. Portable generators don’t provide as much power as standby systems, but many property owners find they can run basic systems in their homes with larger portable units. When a portable generator is used, most experts recommend they be rated to provide at least 5,000 watts of power.
Standby generators, on the other hand, can be sized to meet the needs of any home. There are numerous sizes available, which means we can tailor a system to meet your family’s needs and efficiently power your entire home.
These larger generators will run indefinitely as long as the fuel source is maintained, which means food won’t spoil, a well pump will still function, and heating or cooling appliances operate.
Consider the Costs
Remember that the cost of a generator will go up as its ability to power your home increases. In other words, a standby generator that’s sized to power an average home will be more expensive than a 5,000-watt portable unit.
We review the various options with clients to ensure they have sufficient power available without spending more than they’re comfortable with.
Quality standby systems, as you might expect, cost considerably more to purchase than any portable generator, with prices starting at roughly $5,000 to $6,000 for entry-level units.
Remember, that’s the cost of the generator alone. The installation expenses will vary depending on the system selected and the home’s requirements. Again, we always review all the costs associated with installing a backup power source with clients.
Homeowners with health concerns also need to let our team know about those requirements. Oxygen equipment, for example, must remain functional regardless of its power source. While a portable generator may produce the electricity required to power an oxygen generator and related equipment, there may be a delay in switching to the generator when there is an outage.
Standby systems are designed to take over for the grid-supplied power virtually instantly, which reduces the likelihood of health issues being exacerbated due to waiting for a portable system to be fully powered up.
Backup Power Systems Must Be Properly Installed
Safety concerns dictate that all backup power sources be properly wired to prevent shocks to city crews trying to restore the area’s primary power supply. Aquarius experts review the existing power system to determine the best course of action when installing any backup power supply.
If homeowners prioritize providing power to specific systems, that’s where we’ll focus our attention. We’ll also recommend the best ways to power lights, appliances, or even your computer system.
While the safety of utility workers is important, your family’s safety must also be considered. That’s why we always take the time to explain different strategies for providing power and discuss why one option may be more beneficial than others.
Carbon monoxide is deadly, and many homeowners elect to use diesel or gasoline-powered generators to provide power to some areas of their homes. Whenever those fuels are used as a fuel, carbon monoxide poisoning is a threat.
Standby systems located outdoors are not a significant CO threat, but far too many homeowners run portable generators in enclosed areas, especially garages, which poses a real danger to a home’s occupants. We strongly discourage running a generator in any enclosed areas and review safer operating strategies with our clients.
Understand the Disadvantages of Generators and How to Mitigate Potential Problems
Every type of backup power supply system has some drawbacks that homeowners should be aware of. Obviously, some generators have more drawbacks than others, which is why we honestly review the various pros and cons of specific systems.
First, all backup generators produce some level of noise. When high quality generators are selected, the noise levels are usually far lower than owners experience with most entry-level units. The quiet operation of current generators is crucial to some homeowners. While a slight drone in the background may not be irritating, a constant roar is. We’ll review the decibel levels of various options to help you select the best unit for your home.
Next, remember that no backup generator will run without fuel. That’s why more reliable sources of fuel, like natural gas and propane, are frequently recommended. While larger quantities of diesel fuel or gasoline may be stored on the property, those fuels present a greater threat and don’t last forever.
In most cases, power outages in the Twin Cities are rather short, but it always pays to prepare for an outage that lasts for several days or even longer. We can help you decide which backup generators are the best options for prolonged outages.
Third, generators are mechanical devices that develop issues even when they’re not in use. A generator that won’t start when it’s needed provides little value. Owners who elect to use portable generators must check them on a regular schedule to ensure they are operational. Standby systems, on the other hand, generally have self-testing systems that verify the unit is operational and will function when it’s needed.
Now is the Time to Contact the Aquarius Team for Recommendations
Power outages are common during severe weather, and having a reliable backup generator available to handle those outages is always a good idea. At Aquarius Home Services, our team of experts is always poised to provide the information you need to select the best backup power supply for your home.
Weather experts now predict that storms may increase in severity in the coming years, which suggests power outages may become more routine. With a properly sized and maintained backup power system, homeowners in the Twin Cities and the surrounding communities will be prepared when storms roll in and the power goes out.
To get started, give our team a call today to schedule an evaluation of your home’s backup power supply needs. Once we’ve reviewed the current electrical system, our electricians will recommend different options to ensure your home always has electricity available.
Once your new backup power supply is installed, we’ll also be available to provide any maintenance services needed to keep that system operating at peak efficiency.