Think about this for a second - what would you do if you lost power in your house for an extended period of time? You would have no light, no appliances, the food in your refrigerator would be spoiled, and you can say goodbye to your electronics. Needless to say, power outages can cause extreme discomfort if you don’t have an alternate power source.
Having a backup generator in your home means that in the unfortunate event of a power outage, you will have a dependable energy solution that will allow you to use your lights, appliances, and other electronics. Whole-house generators, also known as standby generators, are typically much larger and more expensive than portable generators, but they offer maximum benefits when you need them the most.
What Are the Benefits of a Standby Generator vs. Portable Generator?
Unlike a portable generator, a whole-house standby generator can power all of your home’s major appliances, including your HVAC system, refrigerator/freezer, alarm system, garage door opener, sump pump, water heater, and more. Having power during an outage also means your electronics, such as cell phones and laptops, will be kept charged. While a standby generator’s purpose is to provide electricity to your entire home during an outage, it can also be tailored to only power specific appliances, based upon your preferences.
Benefits of whole-house standby generators:
- Improved safety & security – Unlike portable units, whole-house standby generators don't release fumes and therefore prevent carbon monoxide buildup inside your home. In addition, they allow for lighting in the event of a blackout, helping to prevent trips and falls, and other related accidents.
- Enhanced efficiency – While portable generators can only deliver a limited amount of power considering they need to be refilled with gas every few hours, whole-house standby generators can provide any given amount power for as long as necessary since they connect to an existing gas line.
- Super convenient – Standby generators turn on automatically as soon as the power goes out, providing electricity for essential appliances, including air conditioners, water heaters, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, and more. Portable generators, on the other hand, must be manually turned on and may not be able to power items hardwired to the home.
- Saves money – Since whole-house generators help to prevent problems like spoiled food in the refrigerator or frozen pipes during the winter, you can steer clear of unexpected costs and headaches. If you were to experience several power outages over ten years, for example, the savings that a standby generator could provide would add up, providing a positive a return on your investment.
Safety and Security
During a blackout in your home, the risk of falling or tripping over something because you can’t see your surroundings are much higher. A whole-house generator solves this problem and ensures you will be able to comfortably move from room to room without worrying about tripping over something in the dark.
Separately, whole-house generators do not allow for the buildup of carbon monoxide inside your home, which is a common issue with portable generators. Standby generators do not emit as many fumes as portable generators do, making them better for your overall health and home environment.
Standby generators essentially act as an insurance policy for your home, giving you peace of mind that your home will be protected during a blackout.
Efficiency
Whole-house generators can power as much as you need for as long as you need. Compared to portable generators, which have a threshold for the amount of power they can provide, whole-house generators can provide power to your home and there will be no need to refuel it. In the event you are away from your home or on vacation during a power outage, whole-house generators will ensure that your sump pump is running and your home’s alarm system is working.
Ultimate Convenience
With the flip of a switch, your whole-house generator will provide total home function during a power outage. When the power goes out, you simply turn on the power switch of the generator and your electricity will be up and running within a few seconds. Standby generators guarantee that you will have access to all of your major appliances and critical functions of your home.
Save Money Down the Line
While the initial purchase and installation of a standby generator can be costly, the investment will save you money down the line in appliance repairs and potential pipe replacements. If there is a power outage during the winter, a standby generator can prevent your home’s pipes from freezing. Whole-house generators also keep your refrigerator running, meaning you don’t have to worry about throwing away spoiled food.
Don’t wait until the next power outage to decide on installing a whole-house generator. If you want guaranteed safety and security during a blackout, Current Electric is here to help. Contact us today to speak with one of our generator specialists.