Standby Generators

  Household generators are becoming increasingly popular.    Generators are no longer for the wealthy as more and more middle class homeowners are benefiting from their use.  It is even becoming increasingly common for new homes to be built with standby generators already installed as part of the base package. For older homes they can be easily be added as to your home’s  existing electrical  system.

 How do whole house generators work? 

A standby generator constantly monitors incoming voltage from the utility lines and when the power is interrupted, the generator goes into action.   The transfer switch automatically disconnects power from the incoming utility lines and then creates a new power line from the generator to your homes electrical system.   This is an automatic process that happens almost instantaneously. 

 Things to consider when purchasing a standby generator

The first would be the configuration that would best fit your  household    .  Generators can be powered by natural or propane gas.  They also come in air cooled or liquid cooled designs.  The second would be to make sure you have one large enough to power all of your needs.  Generators are rated in kilowatts. Home standby generators usually range from 25-60 kilowatts.  They also come in different  decibel  levels.  A  master  electrician can help you find the correct   kilowatt size and the configuration that would best fit your home and area.

Another consideration is where to install it.   If you live in a subdivision you should always check with your homeowners association before purchasing.  They may have deed restrictions in regards to location and noise levels . If you live in the suburbs then your most likely location would be on the same side of the home where the electrical panel and gas connections are located. Home standby generators are usually  attached  on slabs.  Keep in mind if you live in a flood prone area , to have your  generator’s foundation  elevated above flood levels to ensure smooth operation.

Should you have the generator professionally installed or do-it-yourself?

Most generators come with very specific instruction booklets . A homeowner with  outstanding   skills could probably handle the task. BUT, the only sure way to get the generator installed to local and state codes is to have it professionally installed by a licensed electrician.  They will be able to provide the permits and code knowledge to make sure it’s done right the first time.  This becomes even more important should you sell your house as home inspectors love to look for code violations. Another factor on deciding on installation is the weight of the generator.   They can be  extremely  heavy.  Think about the location in terms of getting it over  fences , and up on the elevated slab.  This alone can be the hardest part of the installation.  Electricians have installed so many of these generators that they have the  tools and physical man power to get it into place without a hitch.

 Generators can provide that extra level of comfort during hurricanes, ice storms, other disaster related power outages.  They will decrease your dependency on the outside world for your comfort.  For hurricane prone areas, just having a refrigerator, ice, and air conditioning can make all the difference.    In ice storm prone areas, the heater maybe your lifesaver; not only for you, but for your  homes piping system. 

 This article was written by Kathy Weeks of Weeks Service Company in League City, Texas.  Weeks Service Company has been installing and maintaining standby home generators for over a decade. Feel free to contact us if you would like more about home generator systems. 

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