Anyone who has lived in Bradenton, FL, for an extended time has likely experienced at least one power outage due to storm damage. They know that prolonged outages can lead to more than just some serious inconveniences. For many Floridians, they can be dangerous. With a Whole-Home Generator, there’s no need to worry about what will happen if a storm takes out nearby power lines. Even if the power company takes its sweet time getting around to repairs, residents will still be able to run all the electronics and appliances they’ve come to depend on off their generators. The benefits of a whole-home generator go beyond just keeping the lights on. Read on to find out more about whole-home generators.
Difference Between Portable Generators and Whole-Home Generators
Homeowners who want to protect their families and properties during power outages have two options when it comes to backup generators: portable models and whole-home generators. Both power essential appliances and devices, but portable generators must be set up independently before each use. They need to be placed at least 10 feet away from home and must be refueled periodically to keep them running.
Whole-home generators are permanently installed directly outside the home and are usually connected to the house’s natural gas or propane lines, so they don’t need refueling. Also referred to as standby generators, whole-home generators turn on automatically within 20 to 30 seconds of the household losing power. They can be used for as long as they are required and can be set up to power the entire home, or just certain appliances, depending on families’ needs.
Benefits of a Whole-Home Generator
Before discussing the advantages of standby generators over portable generators, let’s take a look at why homeowners in Bradenton might want to provide backup power for their homes, to begin with. Every family’s needs are a little different, so not all of these advantages will apply to every consumer, but they’re all important.
Avoid Food Spoilage
When the power goes out, households that don’t have backup power will lose not just their lighting but also their refrigeration. This leaves families who must go without power for more than four hours dealing with substantial food spoilage. It also means residents will have to undertake the unpleasant task of cleaning out the gross messes that result from food spoilage inside a refrigerator.
Increased Comfort
Power outages often occur during storms, which can already generate some stressful situations. Families that have backup power generators won’t have to worry about finding flashlights or candles in the dark, losing contact with the outside world when televisions and radios turn off or finding ways to distract themselves without the benefit of everyday electronic devices. That extra level of comfort can go a long way toward improving an otherwise very stressful situation.
Ability to Use Plumbing Fixtures
When the electricity goes out in modern houses, families also lose access to their plumbing. If the outage lasts more than a few hours, that can cause some severe inconveniences or even health hazards. All plumbing fixtures, from sinks and showers to toilets, rely on electronic water pumps to transfer water. Without electricity, they’ll be all but useless. Having a backup generator means putting an end to filling up water jugs and bucket-flushing toilets in the dark.
Improved Safety
Safety tops the list of benefits of a whole-home generator. The risk of slips and falls increases dramatically when the lights go out, and residents are left struggling to find their way around their own homes, but that’s not the only safety risk associated with power outages. Medical patients who require electronic devices to monitor or control chronic health conditions will be left without protection, and the entire home will become an easy target for intruders. Installing a backup generator deters burglars, protects residents against slips and falls, and ensures that those who require sophisticated medical devices will be able to use them uninterrupted.
Protection from Storm Damage
Just like plumbing fixtures, sump pumps require power to operate as intended. That can be a severe problem for homeowners who don’t have backup power given that most outages occur during storms. Ensuring that the sump pump can continue to remove excess water from the basement is essential if homeowners want to prevent flooding and expensive water damage cleanup costs.
Benefits of Whole-Home Generators Over Portable Models
It should now be clear why so many homeowners are opting to install backup generators. Now, let’s take a look at what sets whole-home standby generators apart.
Automatic Power
Standby generators turn on as soon as the home’s main power supply goes out. There’s no need for homeowners to go out into the rain to set them up or ensure that they have fuel, which is one of the major benefits of a whole-home generator. There doesn’t even have to be anyone home during the power outage to ensure that essential appliances continue to run, the home’s security system stays armed, and its climate control system continues to function.
Unlimited Power
Portable generators are limited by how much fuel they have, and most cannot provide sufficient power to keep the entire home running as usual. Standby generators draw off the local utility grid, so they won’t ever run out of fuel, and they can be set up to power the whole house if that’s what homeowners want.
Peace of Mind
Knowing that life will continue as usual during a power outage makes weathering storms much less stressful. The peace of mind itself is one of the biggest benefits of whole-home generators. Households with standby generators will barely even notice that the power has gone out. They’ll be able to continue doing whatever they want during the storm, whether they’re at home or out of town, without worrying about what will happen to their household appliances and systems.
A standby generator is a fantastic investment for any Floridian homeowner. It’s best to look into generator installation before the hurricane season ramps up, so take action now by contacting Air & Energy. This reputable company has been providing services to Manatee County residents since 1983. Their technicians are committed to helping customers find the best options to fit their families’ unique needs, so they offer multiple standby generator models and are happy to help homeowners choose the right one.