There is much that we need to do in order to prepare our homes for storms. Hurricane season can perhaps be the most detrimental season for the average home. States like Florida are particularly vulnerable, as it’s estimated that roughly 40% of each year’s hurricanes that make landfall on the eastern coast strike Florida. Even houses that aren’t near the coastline can be subject to high winds and heavy rain. The issue that this causes, of course, is electrical failure.
Electrical failures are irritating at best and dangerous at worst. Aside from using electrical power for basic processes like cooking, reading, or watching TV, many homeowners need electricity in order to operate vital medical equipment. In rural areas, homeowners that lack nearby neighbors also need electricity in order to contact emergency services reliably. Even if you own a cell phone, it won’t be much use to you if it isn’t charged — and you need electricity for that. This is why it’s important to understand where you can find emergency electrical services.
Homeowners need to work with emergency electricians in order to properly prepare for hurricane season. But it may also be worth it for you to buy a home generator. Here’s what you might need to know.
What Is a Home Generator?
A home generator is often recommended by emergency electrical service providers for those who live in hurricane-prone areas. It’s essentially a back-up electrical source for your home that is kept on standby. It operates automatically; within seconds of your electrical system being shut down, a generator is activated through a transfer switch, thus restoring power until your main system can be restored. They usually run on liquid propane gas, diesel, or natural gas.
A generator is usually expected in hotels, hospitals, and industrial buildings. But they aren’t something in which homeowners often invest. While you may not feel as if you need a home generator and can simply wait for emergency electrical service providers to help you, this could put your loved ones at risk. After particularly heavy storms, emergency electricians may be overwhelmed. For that matter, having power constantly is especially important for those working from home, as many do in a post-pandemic world.
What Are Some Benefits of Buying a Home Generator?
There are a lot of benefits that come along with buying a home generator. You can experience a good deal of practical difficulties when dealing with a long-term power outage. Food can go bad quickly, and if you live off of well water, a power outage could prevent your water from flowing consistently. If you keep your basement dry through a sump pump, plugging that pump into a portable generator gives you the peace of mind of knowing that it won’t fail.
Electrical medical devices are perhaps the most important reasons why residential electrical services need to be consistently accessible. Any homeowner who relies on such devices (or lives with someone who relies on such devices) will need to invest in a home generator. While you may have time to get to the hospital from where you live, there is no guarantee that the roads will be clear after a storm heavy enough to cause a power outage.
How Do I Buy a Home Generator?
Every home has different electricity needs. It’s important for homeowners to consult with their regular emergency electrical service providers if they’re confused about what their homes specifically require. Safety is the most important factor to consider here. A homeowner needs to determine how much power they’ll need. If you only need to power your medical devices and can abide by the rest of the house experiencing a power outage, you may not need a very powerful generator. If a homeowner wants to maintain their central air conditioner, however, their generator will need to be particularly large and powerful.
Typically, homeowners will also need to select a transfer switch. In order to select the correct transfer switch, they’ll need to know the amperage of their electrical panels. Furthermore, they should decide whether or not they need to select a generator that has WiFi built in or offers wireless monitoring.
Clearly, selecting a home generator requires an understanding of your home’s electrical system and your specific needs. Consult with your electrician before making a purchase. But understand that having a generator can make you better equipped to weather storms.