Hire A Professional Generator Installation Company To Avoid The Headaches Of DIY | Marion, SC
When your home loses power for even a few hours, it can cause serious problems. Frozen food thaws and becomes unsafe, your thermostat goes haywire as the temperature drops inside your home, and you risk losing all the data on your computer. That’s why many homeowners in Marion, SC, choose to install a standby generator, a device that supplies automatic backup power during outages. But when it comes to how a standby generator is installed, there are wrong ways when it comes to installing a generator:
Trying to Install A Generator Yourself
Generators are designed to be installed by a generator installation company only. You may have the best of intentions, but installing a generator is far too complicated to be completed by a homeowner. This is not only because of all the electrical components involved. Even if you’re handy with tools and understand circuit boards, it’s still hazardous to attempt installation on your own. The fact that generators aren’t legal in some jurisdictions should also make you think twice about trying to install one yourself.
Not Having A Qualified Electrician Install It
There are a lot of DIY resources for installing a generator, but without a generator installation company, you could end up with more problems. If your generator is too far away from your house or circuit breaker box, wiring issues could electrocute you or your family members. The best way to ensure the safety and success of your generator installation project is by hiring a professional generator company.
Not Calculating Your Power Needs Correctly
If you don’t have the right amount of power to run your appliances, they won’t work. If they don’t work, you won’t be able to keep the temperature in your home at a comfortable level and can pay more for electricity through the winter months. If you’re planning on installing a generator, you must find out how much power it can provide before getting started. You should also find out how much energy your appliances use so that when disaster strikes, you know what kind of generator will do the job right.
When planning a generator installation, you need to know how much power you need and how much your generator can provide. This is a crucial step because you’ll have to account for the appliances you’ll use during a blackout. You can get this information by contacting a generator installation company.
Installing the Generator in a Place That’s Not Safe
One of the most important things to remember when installing a generator is that it must be installed safely and not near combustible material. A gas-powered generator can explode if installed too close to flammable, including paper, wood, or plastic. The placement of your generator should also keep it away from water sources such as ponds or lakes. If your generator malfunctions, you won’t have to worry about accidentally starting a fire or flooding your home with water damage. Hiring a generator installation company will ensure that your generator will be placed in a safe place and keep your family away from danger.
Lack of Maintenance
Generators are machines, and machines need proper maintenance to stay in good working order. The same can be said for your generator: if you want it to last as long as possible and be reliable, regular maintenance is an essential part of owning one.
If you decide that you’re going to try doing the work yourself, remember that there are some things that a generator installation company should only do. For example, wiring panels can cause serious injury if mishandled or improperly connected. These types of installations should always be left up to a professional.
Forgetting About Fuel Safety
There are a few essential things you must remember when working with fuel. First, it’s vital to make sure that your generator is in a safe place. Second, make sure that you store your fuel in a secure location. You don’t want it near anything flammable, such as wood or dry grass. If possible, keep it outside the house or garage, away from where people will be living during an emergency. You should also purchase an approved fire extinguisher on hand if something goes wrong while fueling or unloading the generator. You can find them at any hardware store.
Overloading Your Generator
Overloading your generator is a common mistake some homeowners in Marion, SC, make. It’s also one of the most dangerous, as it can damage or even destroy your generator. An overloaded generator can cause it to either shut down or overheat, which will damage the unit. Suppose your generator is loaded beyond its capacity. In that case, it’s best to shut it off until you can get a generator installation company professional to determine the maximum load for your situation and adjust as needed.
Forgoing a Warranty
Whether you’re installing a generator to protect your home against power outages or your insurance company has told you that it’s mandatory for coverage reasons, it’s essential to choose a generator installation company carefully. The right one will offer quality installation and peace of mind knowing that their work comes with a warranty.
You should ensure the generator company installs are covered by a warranty. The warranty length should be considered based on where you live and how severe the weather can get in your area. Most generators come with a three-year limited product warranty from the manufacturer. However, some companies include additional coverage such as labor during installation or even lifetime maintenance agreements.
Misconnecting Generators to a Home’s Electrical System
Some homeowners misconnect a generator to their home’s electrical system. This can be done in various ways, but the most common error is using an extension cord that is not rated for the amount of electricity used. This can cause damage to both the generator and your home’s wiring and appliances.
Another common mistake is not having the proper grounding equipment connected to the generator. Suppose you do not have this installed correctly. It could result in severe injury or death if there were ever a fire or other natural disaster while operating your generator.
Let A Trusted Generator Company Install Your Unit
You can avoid many mistakes by getting a generator installation company to install your generator. Generator installation mistakes can have serious repercussions. It’s best to contact a trusted generator installation company if you are still not equipped with the knowledge or technical ability to do it. Mister Sparky Generators can help you meet your generator installation needs. In addition to our generator installation services, we also provide maintenance plans once your installation is complete. We’re the best choice in Marion, SC, for any generator installation project or concern that you might have.