Who Should Have a Backup Generator? | Conway, SC
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One hurricane season in Conway, SC can teach you the importance of having a backup generator in your home, but hopefully, after reading this you won’t have to learn the hard way. To many homeowners, the idea of a generator for a personal home seems ridiculous, but all it takes is one large storm, tornado, earthquake, flood, or hurricane to demonstrate the need.
Severe storms can potentially cause property damage, but they often cause power outages. A temporary power outage is usually not a concern, but if your power is out for a significant amount of time your home actually can sustain damage. The cost of the damage that accumulates from a failed sump pump alone may be a reason to consider buying a backup generator.
Anyone that lives in an area prone to severe storms such as Conway, SC should consider investing in a backup generator. If there is a power outage, the generator will continue to power your major appliances such as your refrigerator, HVAC system, and sump pump. Keep in mind that you need your sump pump to avoid flood damage, so if you have a sump pump in an area prone to flooding it is in your best interest to invest in a generator.
The costs of flood damage alone justify the costs of investing in a generator. If you don’t have a sump pump, then you may just want to consider how often your area suffers from power outages. If you don’t know, ask around because your neighbors can probably offer you some insight.
Even without the flooding component, having a backup generator can help you preserve food in your fridge and freezer for days so that you don’t lose all your groceries every time you have a power outage. It can also keep your HVAC system running so that you are comfortable and allow you to have hot water, which is one of the first things a lot of people miss. Those comforts alone may be worth the price of a backup generator for you.
Portable Versus Fixed Backup Generators
If you decide that you do need a generator in Conway, SC, your next step is choosing whether you want a portable or fixed generator for your home. When it comes down to it, the amount of power produced compared to their respective cost is the most important component to consider.
Fixed generators are permanent generators that are installed within a personal home and connected straight to the utility lines. In the case of a power outage, they will automatically start to offer backup power. This is a great feature for homeowners that are not home all the time because they catch the problem before it becomes one. For instance, if the power goes out at 10 am and you are not home until 6 pm, your fixed generator will keep your sump pump running and food properly chilled. The downside of a fixed generator is that it costs much more than a portable generator.
On the other hand, portable generators can be a much more affordable option for some homeowners. They can still provide power directly to your home if there is a power outage, but at a smaller price. If power outages are rare then this is probably a suitable backup to have in place. The one downside is that they have to be manually started, so you need to be home to turn on the generator in the case of a power outage.
Fuel Options for a Backup Generator
Regardless of whether you choose a portable or fixed generator, you will have to make sure you have its fuel source on hand. Most generators are powered by either natural gas/propane or gasoline/diesel. Depending on their source of power, you need to make sure that you have access to their fuel source in order to actually reap any benefit.
Most generators that are powered by either liquid propane or natural gas can be connected straight to your gas line. They are extremely efficient and since they can be routed to the natural gas line, you never have to worry about refueling. The one downside is that if the storm causes any damage to your natural gas line then the generator will no longer work.
Other generators run off gasoline or diesel. These can work without any dependence on your local utility lines which can make them desirable in the case of a severe storm that causes high levels of damage or a natural disaster. However, you need to ensure that you keep gas on your property at all times to make them effective during an emergency.
Top Benefits of a Sump Pump
As you mull over which backup generator is the best choice for your home, it is a good idea to remember just how beneficial the generator can be. It can be confusing choosing a generator from the marketplace, but the benefits are still the same whether you choose a fixed or permanent, natural gas, or diesel-powered model.
A fully functional generator will offer you temporary power to ensure that all of your appliances, electronics, HVAC system, and sump will continue to run. It only takes four hours of no power for eggs, meat, and many other food products to spoil. A backup generator will save all of your food which will save you money and turns dining at home during a severe storm back into an option.
The generator will also keep your home comfortable since your HVAC system can continue to work in the face of a storm. This is even more important during cold weather, because an unheated home could lead to frozen and burst pipes. It also will keep your sump pump powered to prevent your home from flooding. Contact Mister Sparky in the Conway, SC area to schedule an appointment today!