People may not realize it but the United States has some of the most volatile and dangerous weather on the planet. As a consequence, people are vulnerable to power outages almost all year round. Between extreme weather events such as hurricanes, blizzards and tornadoes and natural disasters such as fires and earthquakes, more and more individuals and families are turning to the different types of electric generators to keep the power and lights on during a crisis.
Who can benefit from an electric generator?
Just about every person and family in the United States can benefit from using any of the different types of electric generators. A short power outage may not be a big deal for most people throughout the country but people who need to rely on power for medical devices such as oxygen delivery may not be able to go without electricity. Also, in areas of the country that experience extreme cold weather in the winter, extended periods of time without power can be more than just uncomfortable, they can be dangerous. This can also cause problems with pipes freezing and bursting, which can result in more damage due to flooding. For many people, having a generator installation completed may be the less expensive option. An electric generator can keep you and your family prepared for any problems with the power supply to your home.
There are different types of electric generators, which is the right one?
There are several types of electric generators that people get depending on their needs and how often the power goes out in their home. There are smaller generators that are portable. These are good to keep the bare basics up and running during a power outage. With these, you have a few ways to access the power. You can plug your devices directly into the generator, which is a simple option. You can also connect the generator to your circuit breaker though a connection from the hardware store. With that option, you can plug your devices into the outlets in your home. The drawback to this is that you probably have a lot of things plugged into the walls of your house. Many of these will draw power even when the appliance or device is not on. You can cause problems for your portable generator if it is overloaded. If you only want to run a few devices, you do not want other systems taking that power because you do not have as much to spare with a portable generator.
If you want to keep your entire house up and running during a power outage, you would be better served by getting a stand by generator. These are also better if you live in a remote location that experiences more power outages. These are typically run off of your gas supply but you can attach a propane tank if you wish. These are activated automatically when the power supply to your home is interrupted. The main downside is that the generator installation by generator services companies can cost $10,000 or even more. These are easier to deal with and you do not have to worry so much about running cords.
When you are looking at the different types of electric generator, you should think about how much power you will need in the event of a power failure in your area.
Take the right safety precautions for your generator.
No matter which of the types of electric generators you select, you have to be aware of the safety considerations for that piece of equipment. If you go with portable residential generators, you need to know that they should never be operated inside your home. Portable generators use gasoline to create the power for your your home. They also produce carbon monoxide and that is deadly. Put them on a flat surface that is at least a decent distance from your home. Make sure the extension cords you use are in good condition.
There was a time when only rich people could afford home generators but they have come down in price and are more readily available for people around the United States to keep the lights on in a crisis.