Benefits of Installing a Whole Home Standby Generator

Imagine you are going about your evening routine, and suddenly darkness. The power goes out. While this might seem like a minor inconvenience at first, prolonged power outages can lead to financial losses and even pose health and safety risks. Enter the whole home standby generator. In this post, we explain exactly what standby generators are, how they work, and the many benefits they offer homeowners.

By the end, you can decide for yourself if a whole home standby generator is the right choice for your household. 

Portable vs. Standby Generator

There are two different generators that you can utilize during a power outage or when there is an absence of electricity. You can select to invest in a portable generator or a standby generator. Which one you choose will depend on precisely what situation you plan to use it for, which devices you need to power, and the amount of space and money you have. 

A portable generator is a small power supply that usually runs on a rechargeable battery or fuel. Depending on your budget and what devices you want to power, whole home generators come in different models and sizes. The main difference between a portable generator and a standby generator is that a portable generator isn’t a permanent fixture of the building and must be manually set up for each use. Standby generators are installed so that they can automatically turn on in the case of a power outage to power the devices they are connected to. 

Standby generators run on fuel, so you should always keep some handy in case of an unexpected outage. 

Portable generators are the best option for people who are not allowed to install standby generators because they don’t own the building. They’re also more affordable, although they aren’t always as powerful or convenient. 

Why a Whole Home Standby Generator Is Better

In most cases, investing in a standby generator provides the most benefits. A home backup generator offers improved safety and security as well as convenience and efficiency. It also saves you money in the long run if you own a home and often leave for hours or days at a time. 

Standby Generators Are Safer

Portable generators often use fuel and you have to keep them nearby to connect to your essential appliances. Unfortunately, that can mean releasing fumes close to where you are living. By operating portable generators inside your home, you risk carbon monoxide buildup that could cause health issues. 

Standby generators, on the other hand, do not release fumes in the same volume as portable generators. They are kept outside the home so there is no buildup of fumes in your living space. Instead of requiring you to add fuel, they are hooked up to your existing fuel supply, such as your natural gas line.

Standby Generators Are Convenient

Portable generators involve a lot of effort because they must be stored while not in use and set up once you need them. They require you to remove them from storage, fuel them up and hook them up to the devices you need to power. Standby generators allow you to eliminate these steps by being readily available at the flick of a switch (or with no effort at all if the generator is automatic).

Standby Generators Work Better for Longer Periods of Time

A whole home standby generator can power as much of your home as you need for as long as required (factoring in fuel capacity, load demand, and fuel availability).

When your generator is installed, you’ll choose how much of the home you want it to power. You could decide to only hook up a few lights and your fridge, or you could power your entire home like normal. With the best standby generator, it’ll almost be like you never lost power in the first place. 

Benefits of Installing a Standby Generator in Your Home

From lighting and power outlets to kitchen appliances and heating systems, most things we use everyday require electricity. Unfortunately, power outages are always a possibility and can occur unexpectedly due to severe weather conditions, equipment malfunctions, grid failure, and more. 

With a standby generator, homeowners can rest assured that their daily and nightly routines will never be disrupted by a loss of electricity. 

Medical Equipment

Many people depend on lifesaving medical equipment to survive. This equipment is powered by electricity, but in the case of an outage, you’re suddenly without your medical assistance. 

Those who rely on CPAP machines, chairlifts,  power wheelchairs, ventilators, and more could suddenly become very vulnerable in the case of a power outage. Having a standby generator ensures that you and your family will have continuous access to all medical equipment and support in the event of power loss. 

Security

Without power, any electronic security systems in your home will also be ineffective. This can leave homes at risk to threats like break-ins, theft, or vandalism. 

Standby generators ensure that security systems, alarms, and cameras remain operational to provide uninterrupted safety, security, and protection of your property. 

Reduced Food Spoilage

According to the FDA, during a power outage, a full refrigerator can keep food safe for up to four hours, while a full freezer can maintain a safe temperature for 24-48 hours. So, if your home loses power for an extended period of time, it can force you to throw away perfectly good food. 

Some people attempt to avoid their fate with coolers and ice, but these are not fail-safe either. In the case of natural disasters, masses of people rush out to the store and bulk-buy essentials like ice, leaving you possibly without it. Coolers also only last for so long as well, so it’s a matter of time before your food goes to waste. 

A standby generator will kick on automatically (with the proper switch) and never stop powering your fridge and freezer. Your food will never go to waste and you’ll never have to deal with the hassle of buying ice and filling coolers. 

Protection for Appliances 

Frequent power fluctuations or voltage surges can damage electrical appliances and devices leading to costly repairs or replacements. 

A standby generator provides a stable and consistent power supply, protecting your available appliances, electronics, and equipment from potential damage caused by electrical irregularities. 

Communication Channels

In less than two decades, the use of landline phones has plummeted from 90% of households down to only 40%. If you don’t have a landline, you will have to rely on your cellular devices for communication. 

Normally this would be fine, but when your power goes out, you lose the ability to power your devices. As your devices run low on battery, you lose the ability to call for help and keep in contact with family and friends. 

By having a standby generator, you can keep your essential devices charged and functional. In the case of an emergency, you can call for help. You can also use your devices to continue checking for alerts from the authorities and local government to stay updated on the power outage. 

No Remote Work Disruption 

In April of 2020, 70% of the U.S. labor force was working from home. The most recent statistics have that percentage down to 56%, but that still represents millions of remote workers relying on their at-home work environments to continue their daily work. Standby generators ensure that if you work at home, your workload will not be disrupted by power outages that would cut off your access to computer or office-related tools that rely on power. 

Frequent Power Outages 

Some areas have poor infrastructure or frequent bad weather where people experience frequent power outages. While weather is the most common reason a power outage will occur, power failures can stem from many different electrical malfunctions that can strike at unpredictable times. A standby generator goes to work when your electrical company clocks out. 

HVAC Support

Consistent heating and cooling are of special importance to children, seniors, and pets. Standby generators ensure that during a power outage you have the HVAC support your household requires. 

Being Away from Your Home for Long Periods

Even if you don’t lose power that often, it can pay off to have a standby generator if you’re not always home. If you go on vacation or leave for several hours or days for work, a power outage can mean your house is fending for itself. 

A standby generator will protect your house while you’re not at home, even if you don’t know you’ve lost power. The last thing you need is to come home from a week-long vacation to find everything in your fridge is bad and your home has flooded without the help of your sump-pump. 

Cost Effective & Provides Cost Savings

While some homeowners look to a portable generator because of its lower price point, a standby generator can be more cost-effective long term. Not only do portable generators have a shorter lifespan, portable generators also require regular refueling of more costly gasoline, while standby generators run off traditionally less expensive natural gas or propane. 

A standby generator can save your family hundreds of dollars during each blackout by keeping the food in your refrigerator and freezer from spoiling. Plus, having a generator can also save you from submitting insurance claims for the loss of food and other damage due to a power outage, which can help you save on insurance costs over time.

Increased Home Value 

Standby generators not only increase your comfort and peace of mind, but they also increase the return on your investment. Consumer Reports states that home value can increase 2% to 5% with the installation of a generator. A report by Remodeling Magazine stated that a standby generator installation offers a 150% return on investment. 

Wrap-Up

Installing a whole home standby generator has many benefits. Not only does a whole home generator offer peace of mind by providing a continuous power supply for your home during a blackout, it can also increase your home value, is cost effective and offers cost savings. It’s convenient and easy to use, and can protect your home appliances and systems from damage.