How a Generator Protects Your Home During Bad Storms

If you’ve ever been caught in severe weather and left in the dark after the power went out, you understand the inconvenience and safety challenges of storms. Bad storms often cause power outages due to downed power lines, high winds, heavy rains, and flooded substations.

A home standby generator is a reliable backup power solution that automatically restores electricity when the grid fails. A generator helps protect your home and family in many ways.

We’re going to highlight why a home standby generator is a worthwhile investment for homeowners in storm-prone areas. We’ll explain the benefits of a backup power source during severe weather, so you can make an informed decision on whether or not to invest in standby generator installation.

Why Severe Weather Often Causes Power Outages

Severe weather events, such as thunderstorms, tornados, hurricanes, and tropical storms frequently cause power outages across the United States. High winds, heavy rains, and flooding can all impact power lines and substations, causing power outages.

Often, during storms, rain, wind, and lightning strikes can knock down trees that land on power lines or hit utility poles. Power is sent across transmission lines, stepped down at substations, and delivered via local distribution lines. When weather affects the flow of power, you may experience an outage.

Why a Home Standby Generator is a Smart Investment

Home standby generators provide reliable, automatic backup power to your home in the event of a power outage. Most standby generators use an automatic transfer switch to kick on backup power within seconds of the utility grid failing.

While standby generators can be a large investment upfront, there are many benefits to having one for your home and family. Here’s why you should consider generator installation:

• Prevents food spoilage: With a standby generator, you can keep your refrigerator and freezer running to prevent your food from spoiling. A generator ensures that you and your family have safe food to eat during extended outages.
• Keeps the lights on: Keeping the lights on and security systems running helps protect your family from criminals and navigate the house safely. Lights are especially important for families with young children or elderly members.
• Protects plumbing system: If you experience a winter storm that knocks your power out, you won’t have to worry about your plumbing pipes freezing and bursting. You can protect your plumbing system by keeping the heat on.
• Supports sensitive medical equipment: For those with critical, lifesaving medical equipment or refrigerated medications, a standby generator offers peace of mind. Generators supply immediate backup power, so medical equipment can run when you need it.
• Protects appliances and electronics: A standby generator protects your appliances and devices against power surges, overloads, and voltage drops. All these power issues can permanently damage valuable electronics.
• Hands-free operation: A home standby generator supplies your home with power without you needing to manually turn it on. Get a seamless transition from grid power to your generator with an automatic transfer switch.
• Protects your comfort: With a generator, you can keep essential systems running, like your HVAC and refrigeration. This means you can maintain safe temperatures for you and your family during extended outages.

How to Choose the Right Generator for Your Needs

Choosing the best home standby generator can take time and research. Here are a few tips on finding the right generator for your needs.

Proper Sizing

Work with a professional generator technician to conduct load calculations for sizing. Load calculations help you figure out how much power your generator needs to safely power your home’s essentials. Whether you’re looking for partial coverage or whole-home power, a technician will be able to assess your power needs and recommend the right sized generator.

Choose a Fuel Source

Standby generators typically run on natural gas, liquid propane (LP), or diesel. The fuel source you choose will depend on availability, cost, and storage needs. If you already have a natural gas line, it may be easiest to connect the generator to it for an unlimited supply of backup power. However, liquid propane is also a popular option, especially in rural areas, but it must be stored in large holding tanks.

Professional Installation

Hire a professional technician for standby generator installation. Working with a licensed professional means that they will follow local codes and secure necessary permits for compliant work. Professional installation also ensures that the generator is installed correctly for long-term reliable operation.

Contact Us

At G&G Heating, we specialize in standby generator installation in Olympia and Tumwater, WA. Our pros understand the value of a standby generator for homeowners and will walk with you every step of the way—from sizing to preparing the site to installation day.

Call us today at (360) 499-6604 to schedule installation for your new home standby generator or schedule generator services.