Have you considered investing in a generator? There is no way to tell when disaster will strike and being prepared can help ensure you remain safe and comfortable, even when the power is out.

There are two basic types of generators:

• Portable

• Permanent (a.k.a. standby generators)

Learning about each of these can help you figure out which one is right for your needs and situation.

 

Portable Generators

Just as the name implies, portable generators are able to be moved from one location to another, based on the fixtures or appliances that needs to be powered. This generator option is ideal if you don’t want to make a large investment on an emergency backup source of power.

 

Keep in mind, a portable generator is powered by gasoline, which means you have to start them manually. As a result, if you aren’t at home when the power fails, important appliances, such as your freezer and refrigerator won’t be protected or kick-on.

 

Another potential drawback is that portable generators are often heavy and cumbersome to move, as well as noisy to operate.

 

Standby Generators

A standby generator, unlike the portable options mentioned above, are installed outside of your home and are wired directly to your home’s electrical system. The units usually run on natural gas or propane and will automatically start as soon as any power outage is detected, which is ideal for when you aren’t home if or when the power goes out.

 

An appealing feature of the standby generator is that when the power outage is over, the unit will shut off on its own.

 

While a standby generator costs more initially, they supply more reliable backup power and are quieter when on. Also, these units can power much more than what’s possible with the portable unit.

 

If you opt for a standby generator, it’s imperative a licensed and qualified electrician installs it since it will be wired into the home’s electrical system.

 

To learn more about portable and standby generators or to schedule installation, contact our team today.