Preparing Your Home Before A Visit From A Generator Installation Company | Dillon, SC
The installation of a generator is not always as straightforward as purchasing a generator and having it installed in your home or office. Generator installation can necessitate extensive planning, including acquiring the necessary approvals and permits from your HOA or local government. Once all the required permits have been secured, other things must be considered before installation can commence.
Some may wonder, “Why is it crucial that I know what’s happening?” If I hire a generator installation company, won’t they handle everything? Although it’s preferable to have a professional handle the generator installation, you’ll still play a vital role in the process, such as when applying for the necessary permits. You should know how to prepare your home before a visit from a generator installation company in Dillon, SC.
Obtaining Any Permits
When you hear the words “power failure,” what typically comes to mind is a complete blackout that leaves you and your family in the dark. Generator installation may be subject to several regulations, the type and number of which will vary depending on several circumstances. Both residential and commercial generator installations are subject to varying rules and restrictions depending on the local government.
However, when you hire a generator installation company, you can relax and kick your feet up. You won’t need to worry about complying with regulations and obtaining necessary permits because we will help guide you.
If you are a member of a Homeowners Association in Dillon, SC, and plan to install a residential generator, you should learn about the association’s rules and regulations regarding generator installations and secure the association’s consent before installation.
Figuring Out the Load
First, you should evaluate your power consumption needs. Do you know how many kilowatt-hours (kWh) of power you’ll need to keep your home functioning? If your generator is adequately sized, you can continue your normal routine in the event of a power loss. You’ll need power for necessities and certain nice-to-haves, which may vary for every family.
Your list of necessities and luxuries may include the following:
- Freezer and refrigerator to keep edibles fresh
- Outdoor and indoor lighting
- Oven
- HVAC so you can stay comfortable
- Your security system so you can relax knowing you are protected
- Any medical equipment
- Your computers so you can be productive
- The sump pump
Let a generator installation company help you figure out the specifics of your situation, as the list can get lengthy, and it’s easy to overlook some things when estimating your energy needs. We’ll ensure your new generator is adequate for your home’s needs.
Choosing the Right Generator
You can’t choose the correct generator without knowing how much power you’ll need during a blackout. There are a variety of other considerations that may influence the optimal generator size. Do you stay in a remote location where power outages are common? Does anyone in your household have life-sustaining machinery that needs constant power? A greater capacity or standby generator may be necessary under these or similar conditions.
A standby generator is the most reliable option to keep your home’s electricity on if there is a power outage.
Where Will the Generator Be Installed?
It is best to put a backup generator close to the building’s primary power source. This reduces the length of wires required, lowering the overall cost of both a rental and a permanent installation. Other factors to consider are city rules regarding setbacks, emissions, or sound, the generator’s protection against vandalism, and how it visually integrates into the landscape.
Preparing a concrete or gravel slab for your generator is an essential step in the generator installation process. The generator installation company you hire will lay down this slab, which is crucial to the health and efficiency of your generator. The wiring process can begin when the concrete slab is ready and the generator is set in position.
Setting Up a Transfer Switch and Fuel Line
A backup generator can’t just be plugged into a regular electrical socket. If you do this, the electricity from the generator could “back feed” or flow from your house to the neighborhood transformer. As a result, utility workers doing repairs could be gravely hurt or even killed. Instead, a transfer switch for a backup generator should be set up by a generator installation company. In the event of a power outage, this switch will disconnect your home from the main grid, allowing your generator to supply power to only your property.
The fuel line installation can begin after the wiring process is complete. Your generator will be hooked up to your property’s natural gas supply if one is there. However, if you have a propane tank, you can hook it up to that, and it will work fine. If your property doesn’t already have a natural gas line or a propane connection, a generator installation company will need to add one of those to ensure the generator can function.
Simulation of An Outage
Your generator’s final inspection usually includes an outage simulation. To test your generator’s readiness in the event of an actual power loss, a generator installation company will stage an outage at your location. From that point on, cutting-edge modern generators can perform routine self-checks to detect and fix any problems that may arise.
Considerations When Running a Generator
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Never use your generator inside your home or garage without proper ventilation. If at all possible, keep it away from any doors or windows. The United States government estimates that 430 individuals per year die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning; almost half of these deaths happen during power outages.
Security
Generators can be noisy. When nobody else on your block has one, even the quietest models will likely attract unwanted attention. Your safety may be at risk if yours is the only house in the neighborhood with power. To prevent your generator from being stolen, you should probably chain it to something substantial.
Mister Sparky Generators: Your Local Generator Installation Experts
At Mister Sparky Generators, our team of electricians is prepared to assist you in calculating your electrical demand and selecting a whole-house backup generator with the required capacity. Then, our skilled electricians conduct excellent installation to guarantee that your generator functions properly for many years.
If you are looking for a generator installation company, don’t hesitate to contact us. We install and service whole-house generators in Dillon, SC, and surrounding areas. Call us at 843-582-0671 now.