How to Prepare Your Home for a Backup Generator

Power outages occur unexpectedly and affect homes, families, and business’s everywhere. Owning an emergency standby generator takes the fear out of losing power and brings to peace of mind when thinking of others’ safety. A home backup generator protects your home automatically, running on liquid propane or natural gas to keep appliances running.

Before purchasing a generator, you should consider the things needed to prepare your home for one as well as which generator brand you wish to entrust yourself during an emergency.

Determine What Appliances You Need Powered

In case of an emergency, it’s important to decide which systems you need to keep your family safe and comfortable. Consider the following systems when you’re preparing to purchase a backup generator:

• Sump Pump
• Refrigerator or freezer
• Kitchen appliances like coffee makers and toasters
• Furnace
• Central air conditioning
• Electric water heater
• Computers and other electronics

Although most of these systems aren’t necessary for keeping your family safe, you’ll need to have an idea about what you wish to have powered in the event of a blackout. Blackouts can last for days or weeks at a time, depending on their severity. It’s best to prepare for the worst and to be honest with yourself what you can and cannot go without.

Figure Out Your Load

After determining what appliances you’d like to have running in the event of a blackout, you can determine the load your home will require. Knowing how many systems you’ll have running will allow you to calculate the load. For example, a 7,000- to 9,000-Watt generator will provide energy for a sump pump, freezer, refrigerator, and furnace. On the other hand, a 14,000- to 15,000-Watt generator will also operate kitchen appliances, such as electric fry pans, coffee makers, hot plates, and toasters.

Don’t Forget About the Transfer Switch

A transfer switch is an electrical device that allows you to safely connect a household’s wiring to a generator. While some generator models and dealers offer transfer switches as part of their generator packages, many do not. Transfer switches therefore come at an additional cost, but a home must have one to run off generator power.

The transfer switch is permanently installed near the service panel in a home to make generator use safer and easier. In a blackout, the transfer switch takes the home off the grid, allowing homeowners to use the power bring produced by the generator. Once the main power is restored, the switch disconnects the home from the generator and connects it back to the grid.

Quality Choices for a Backup Generator

Generac Generators

Generac was one of the first companies to engineer affordable home standby. Some of the features in Generac generators include:

• Generac OHVI Engine — Provides reliable power through the most severe outages.
• Mobile Link Remote Monitoring — Stay connected to your generator through your smartphone, computer, or tablet when you’re away.
• Quiet-Test — Runs a weekly self-test at a lower RPM, meaning it’s quieter and consumes less fuel.

Briggs & Stratton Generators

Briggs & Stratton generators provide peace of mind for your family in the time of need. Despite storm seasons and bad weather, the following features ensure maximum safety and comfort:

• Remote System Status — Provides simple visual cues alerting you to generator issues that need to be addressed.
• Galvanneal Steel Enclosure — Resists rust and offers protection from the elements.
• Symphony II Power Management — Automatically manages and balances loads while preventing overload while providing uninterrupted, whole house power.

Kohler Generators

Used in hospitals, nuclear power plants, and for the National Weather Service, Kohler generators are long-lasting and hard-working with features that include:

• PowerBoost Technology — Provides power to start large loads, such as central air conditioners.
• Corrosion-Proof Covering — Protects your generator from the elements and temperatures reaching -30 degrees in order to achieve maximum running efficiency.
• Quiet Operation — The generator operates on quiet, neighborhood-friendly sound levels to minimize disturbance.

Cummins Generators

Recognized as a symbol of strength, power, and durability, Cummins generators are built to the highest standards and quality. With features like remote monitoring, your activities can continue normally during a power outage. Other features include:

• Self-Diagnostics and Easy Service — The Cummins PowerCommand lets the generator check its own performance and allows quick and effective service without the headaches.
• Flexible Exercise Mode — Allows you to reduce the fuel consumption, noise, and the cost when running tests to provide efficiency.

Preparing yourself and your home for a backup generator involves a lot of decisions and compromises. Midwest Generator Solutions can help. Contact us today with any questions, and our team of professionals will help you through the process of giving you safe and affordable solution for a blackout.