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Home Generators: A Must Have for Today’s Climate

Severe weather is the single leading cause of power outages in the United States. And the duration of outages is becoming longer. Major storms were the reason for the doubling of such duration over the last two years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Power reliability is a big selling point

In this type of climate, power reliability is a major concern for potential home buyers. One of the best ways to make your homes stand out in the market is to install natural gas standby generators. These generators are permanently installed similar to a central air-conditioning unit. Depending on the size of the unit, the entire home can be powered, including the HVAC system, sump pumps, security system and large appliances.

Perhaps the best selling point for natural gas generators is that no refueling is required. Natural gas is piped in underground directly from the utility, providing an unlimited and reliable source of backup power. Home buyers won’t have to worry about having enough fuel for their generator, or the potential safety hazards of storing gasoline or diesel fuel.

Generator system components

Key components of a generator unit include the following:

  • A commercial-grade engine built to withstand extreme workloads.
  • An automatic transfer switch (ATS), which monitors the electricity coming from the utility.
  • A power indicator that denotes whether the home’s power is coming from the utility or the generator.

When the utility power is restored, the ATS automatically transfers the power from the generator to the utility and then shuts down. Most units are designed to automatically run regular diagnostic tests to ensure that they are ready when needed. Some models can also be operated remotely from a smartphone or other mobile device.

Sizing and installation

A home generator can typically be installed for less than $6,000. However, total costs varies depending power and installation requirements. New construction is the ideal time to install a permanent standby generator, when it can be most effectively integrated into the home wiring system. Evaluate the size of your homes and the potential power needs. These include equipment such as HVAC systems, large appliances and lighting.

You can install a generator to power only selected equipment or the entire home. The capacity of permanent standby generators ranges from 5 kW to 22 kW. Powering an entire home typically requires a unit in the range of 16 kW to 22 kW.

Work with your unit supplier to find the right sized unit for your homes. It’s also important to check with your local building inspector about any local codes or regulations concerning standby generators.

By installing reliable, clean-burning natural gas generators, you’ll help address a major concern of today’s buyers and make your homes stand out from the crowd.

Trussville Gas & Water has financing available for our customers who meet financing requirements. Learn more about our natural gas appliance financing visiting HERE.

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