![]() ![]() These large devices become semipermanent fixtures in your home with a line that runs directly to the electrical system. If power outages are a regular occurrence or a significant concern for you and your family, consider investing in a standby generator. But when the power goes out at home, a portable generator won’t have the necessary output to supply the entire house. Lastly, make sure that you put your generator in a safe but convenient location: a place that is well-ventilated and far enough from your home to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, but close enough to easily refuel when needed.The purpose of a generator is to provide power to appliances, electronic devices, and lighting in remote locations, like campsites or an RV. Periodically testing it out is also important to ensure that it still starts when you need it. Before the need arises, practice installing your generator so that the routine is familiar to you. The worst time to try installing a portable generator for the first time is in the dark after your power has already gone out. Practice Installing Your Generator in Advance Do you live in a rural area that is often cut off from electricity for extended periods of time? Does anyone in your family have at-home medical equipment that must run throughout the day and night? These and other circumstances can dictate the need for a larger capacity generator–or even a standby generator instead.Ī standby generator is considered the best way to keep power running to your home in the event of a power outage. Other issues may factor into determining what size generator you need as well. Understanding what your expected load is in the event of a power outage is a key component of choosing the right generator. ![]() Figure Out What Generator Best Meets Your Expected Load and Other Needs When shopping for a standby generator, it is best to go through a certified generator dealer to ensure that a generator transfer switch is properly installed by a licensed electrician prior to generator installation. This switch operates by taking your house off the electrical grid when the power is out, allowing your generator to send electricity only to your home and not back into the grid. Instead, you must have a generator transfer switch installed in advance. In turn, this can seriously injure or kill any utility workers performing repairs. Doing so can cause the generator’s electricity to backfeed, or travel from your home to your area’s transformer. Set Up a Transfer Switchīackup generators cannot simply be plugged into a wall outlet. Skip this step and you may end up with a generator that’s too small, leaving you with some difficult choices to make. Figuring out in advance what your backup generator needs to power during an outage–also known as its load–can help ensure that you choose the right size generator. Your refrigerator, furnace, hot water heater and lights in your main living space are probably critical your television is probably not. In general, you probably don’t need to plan to keep every light, gadget and appliance in your home powered in the case of an outage. But what should you consider when shopping for a backup generator? How can you prepare your home (and yourself) for the day you will actually need a backup generator?įollowing are some of the ways that you can ensure that you and your home are prepared for your backup generator: Determine What Appliances and Systems You Need to Keep Powered By purchasing a backup generator for your home, you can ensure that you and your family have electrical power when you need it most. ![]() An extended power outage is not merely inconvenient, either it can actually be quite costly. Power outages can occur unexpectedly and for a wide variety of reasons: heavy winds, significant snowfall, and power line accidents to name just a few. ![]() How to Prepare Your Home for a Backup Generator ![]()
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