As I am writing this post on backup home generators, the Midwest and southeastern Wisconsin just got slammed with a huge snowstorm. Not only did we receive a couple inches of snow but the storm started off with high winds and a few hours of heavy sleet that covered trees, cars, and power lines.  During storms like this and other natural disasters, is your home safe if the power goes out for an extended period of time? It’s a question that every homeowner should ask themselves!

Generators can be a reliable lifeline during power grid failures and outages. Home generators range from permanently installed units to portable generators, and come in a variety of fuel supply options. How they work is pretty simple, when a home loses power, an automatic switch that connects your home to the generator’s electrical grid, restores power. Once the home’s power is restored as normal, the generator’s automatic switch shuts off and transfers the electrical resources back to the home’s power grid. 

Residential standby generators are extremely effective at not only keeping the lights on during a blackout but they can also save thousands of dollars by simply keeping the electricity and heat on for days, sump pumps powered, and the meat in the freezer frozen!  Think about it, the power goes out during a snow or rainstorm and isn’t restored for hours or even days. In that time span, the temps may drop which can cause pipes to break and may result in family heirlooms being destroyed. No one enjoys throwing out priceless family treasures that cannot be replaced! While those memories don’t fade, your bank account sure will during the cleanup! When pipes freeze and break, repairs can be costly.

In late October 2012 when Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, temperatures had already begun to drop in the state of New York and surrounding Atlantic states. Power in some areas was not restored for days in some areas and affected millions of homeowners/families. Stores quickly sold out of portable generators, which caused a ramp up in production from several generator companies to help with the crisis.

While not every home needs a standby power generator, it’s something to think about. There are some considerations, for example. Depending on the size of the home and how much of the home will be powered (whole house vs. essential components) will determine the size and cost of the generator needed. Also, because they can run nonstop for days, units must be maintained and the maintenance costs are minor, (oil & filter changes, ignition & transfer switch checks done annually). But then, there is the peace of mind knowing that your home, property, and family are safe and warm in case of an emergency.

Don’t let your home be in a fragile state when the power grid goes off, contact Sontag Home Services today to learn more about residential backup power generators.

Learn more about Generac Standby Generator Models