During a power outage, we soon realize how many items in our home rely on electricity. Many of the things we take for granted on a daily basis don’t work without it, from cordless phones to water pumping systems in some cases. Being without electricity is bad enough, but when it also leaves you without water, it can become a serious problem rather quickly.
A home generator can be a life saver in a disaster, literally. It can also make your family more comfortable and help keep you safe during power outages caused by storms, overages during high temperatures that create a strain on power companies, and unexplained outages.
Whatever the cause, a power outage can leave you without electricity for hours, days, or even weeks! While a generator may not be able to provide for all your household electric needs, it can make a big difference.
There are various types of back up generators, from portable units, which may be fueled by gasoline, diesel, propane, or natural gas, to hardwired units. The hard wired units supply a great deal more power and are recommended. While a portable generator may keep the lights on, you’ll need something more to keep the fridge and other appliances going.
To learn more about various types and brands, check out these resources:
Briggs and Stratton
Visit Briggs and Stratton for helpful information on comparisons between portable generators and hardwired home generator systems.
Guardian Home Standby Generators
The Guardian website says Guardian is the number one selling home standby generator. The site offers lots of information including a Frequently Asked Questions page.
Carrier Home Standby Generators
Carrier generators are highly rated. These are hardwired generators, as are the Guardian models noted above.
More Information:
Home Generator Basics
Check out the Home Generator Basics guide at SMPS. Be sure to scroll down for comparisons between different types as well as other information.
Installation: Popular Mechanics
You need to have a hard wired generator professionally installed, unless you are knowledgeable and experienced in dealing with electricity. Still, reading the resources provided by Popular Mechanics will prove helpful in educating yourself about the process.
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*Thanks for commenting on generators, Rubies.