Why It’s Time to Invest in an Emergency Standby Generator System

 

If recent hurricanes and the COVID-19 pandemic have taught us anything, it’s that our daily lives can sometimes become drastically different and we need to be prepared for the unexpected. 2020 and 2021 were unprecedented years, to say the least, and now that we are heading into 2022, it’s safe to say that many of us are still learning how to cope with our newly altered lives.

Many homeowners in Florida are staying inside more frequently, often working completely from home. In short, many of us are staying indoors way more than we would have ever planned for! 

With winter fast approaching and more storms likely on the horizon for the summer, it’s important that homeowners living in Southwest Florida be prepared for any potential power outages throughout the year. 

With these facts in mind, the electrical and local home service professionals at Best Home Services know that 2021 is the perfect time for homeowners like yourself to finally invest in an emergency standby generator system. Let’s quickly dive into everything you need to know when it comes time to choose the best standby generator for your home

Before we get ahead of ourselves, though, let’s quickly cover just what, exactly, a standby generator system is.

What Is a Standby Generator?

It’s possible that you’ve already heard of – or maybe even used – a portable generator in emergency situations or for typical home repair and electrical needs. How, then, do emergency standby generators differ from portable generators that you’ve used before? Are they basically the same thing, or are they something else entirely? 

Emergency standby generators – sometimes called whole-home or permanent generators – are large, incredibly powerful generators that you permanently install on your home property. These generators often power multiple important appliances or pieces of equipment in your home. Some emergency standby generator systems are even powerful enough to provide electricity for your entire home! 

Emergency standby generators are particularly convenient because they kick into gear as soon as they detect a power outage in your home. Most modern emergency standby generators can immediately sense power outages so that they can switch on their generator power. And once your power is restored and back to normal? Your emergency generator system switches right back off and lets your regular power source do the heavy lifting.

The next question you may be asking yourself, then, is “how do I know which generator is right for me? Where do I even start if I want to buy one?” Don’t worry, the electrical repair and home generator pros at Best Home Services have got your questions covered. 

Size up Your Electrical Load Requirements

First thing’s first before you settle on the right emergency standby generator system for you: you need to determine your home’s electrical load requirements. Many homeowners assume that the generator they choose should be contingent on the size of your home when, in fact, your electrical load requirements are what you really need to focus on. 

Your electrical load size lets you know just how much power your standby generator can provide to your home. Your power output, in turn, tells you how many pieces of electrical equipment and appliances you can power with your emergency generator.

With that said, unless you’re well-versed in power output for the important pieces of electronics and appliances on your property, it’s best to calculate your electrical load requirements with the help of experienced electrical technicians like those at Best Home Services!

Determine Your Power Needs During an Outage

Living in or around Southwest Florida? Then you already know just how common power outages are, especially when a storm hits. It’s important that you consider which appliances and electronics you want to have handy when you experience an outage. 

Our best piece of advice is this: think in terms of a day-long power outage, a day-two outage, and even a week-long one so that you can decide on the appliances you can and cannot live without. This way of thinking can make it easier to decide on your immediate power needs and subsequently choose the emergency standby generator system that makes sense for you. 

Remember to think about essential investments such as perishable food, home medical equipment, entertainment, and any home office equipment you own. Especially if you’re working from home, maintaining your home office and its power is one of the most important things to consider when it comes to your livelihood. That’s why the experts at Best Home Services recommend that you ensure you back your home up with an emergency generator

Choose a Standby Generator Size

Homeowners should understand that the size of an emergency standby generator system reflects the total capacity for power that it can output at once. We use the “kilowatt” unit of measurement to gauge this power output: one kilowatt equals 1,000 watts, for example. 

Say you’re browsing for standby generators, and you spot one with an output of 22 kilowatts, for instance. This means that your generator can deliver up to 22,000 watts of power.  

One other thing to consider is your starting number of voltage amps, or KVA. Your generator’s starting KVA is the extra bit of initial power that you need to keep things like appliances and electronics running in your home. 

Finally, make sure that you never run your standby generator at anything higher than 75 percent of its rated capacity for power output. The electrical and home generator professionals at Best Home Services can make your calculation process easier so that you can choose the standby system that’s best for you and your home. 

Meet Your Emergency Generator Needs with Best Home Services

Best Home Services proudly distributes a full line of top-of-the-line, high-efficiency standby home generator systems for residents in the Southwest Florida area. Looking for a new emergency standby system to ensure you do not have power disruptions in your home? You’ve come to the right place. Contact our qualified technicians online or give us a call today at (833) 263-3097!

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