Whole House Generators: Preparing for the Storm

Natural disasters are happening everywhere these days in a flash and it can take the electricity away just as fast. Regardless of the region in which you live, hundreds, thousands and millions of people experience power outage each year. Whether they live in an area where there are earthquakes, heavy snow, tornadoes, or hurricanes irregularly or every year, the presence of whole house emergency or standby power generators is a valuable asset in safe indoor living. If you can have power in your home in spite of a severe storm you should try.

You may have spent years wondering whether you need one. But when the contents in your refrigerator spoils or you have to drive across town to stay at a relative's house just so you and your kids can sleep, use the facilities and bath for school and work for a couple of days until the power is restored. Or, you have to leave the kids at a relative's house for a week while you clean out the refrigerator, call the plumber, and open every window because without air conditioning and ventilation the house has gotten stale. You can avoid all of the hassle of waiting for the city to get around to your block and use one of many brands of generators that can automatically kick in and you will have no time lost.

Generators range from 22 kW to 48 kW and the prices vary from around $8,000 to $12,000 in price. Although the voltage causes its deference in size, construction and capability, each one could provide electricity to your home. Kilowatts closer to 48 are usually selected for larger homes (mansions) and 22 would seemingly be reserved for smaller single family homes. But, if your budget will allow you to go for the higher wattage do because the higher the kilowatts the more electricity and the longer time span it will provide to your home.

Remember your home uses more energy during the day than at night, so will you need it to get through the nights until city or neighborhood power is restored or will you need it full time? So there are high voltage systems for the amount of power and time. And there are quieter systems for in home placement such as a garage or basement. Although all of the systems can provide electricity to your home, the level of kW you choose is really determined by the job you are preparing for it to exceed.