A power outage can be more than an inconvenience. Depending on how long electricity is unavailable, homeowners may be left without heating or cooling, refrigeration, lighting, internet access, sump pumps, and other important systems.
A Generac standby generator provides an automatic source of backup power when utility service goes out. Unlike a portable generator that must be brought outside, fueled, and manually connected, a professionally installed standby generator is designed to remain ready for an outage and start automatically when needed.
If you’re considering home generator installation, here’s what you should know about how standby generators work and whether one may be right for your home.
A standby generator is permanently installed outside your home and connected to the home’s electrical system through a transfer switch.
When utility power is interrupted, the system detects the outage. The transfer switch safely disconnects the home from utility power and allows the generator to supply electricity to designated circuits—or potentially much of the home, depending on how the system is designed.
Once utility power returns, the system transfers the home back to the electrical grid and the generator shuts down.
This automatic operation is one of the biggest advantages of a standby generator. You don’t have to be home when an outage occurs for the system to respond.
The answer depends on the size of the generator and how the system is configured.
Some homeowners primarily want backup power for essential equipment, such as:
Other homeowners want a system capable of supporting considerably more of the house, including air conditioning and additional appliances.
Choosing the right generator isn’t simply a matter of buying the largest unit available. A professional should evaluate your home’s electrical requirements and determine which equipment you want available during an outage.
Extended outages can become especially uncomfortable during periods of extreme heat or cold.
A properly designed standby generator may be able to support important components of your home’s heating and cooling system during an outage. The generator needs to be sized appropriately for the electrical demands of the equipment it will serve.
This is particularly important when considering central air conditioning because startup requirements can be substantial.
Rather than assuming a particular generator can power your HVAC equipment, have the electrical load evaluated as part of the installation process.
For homes that rely on a sump pump, losing power during a severe storm can create an unfortunate combination: heavy rainfall arriving at the same time the equipment protecting your basement loses electricity.
A standby generator can provide another layer of protection by keeping appropriately connected equipment operating during a power outage.
Homeowners concerned about basement water should also consider a sump pump battery backup as part of their overall protection plan. A professional can help you determine the appropriate setup for your home.
A short outage may not cause much trouble, but extended power loss can put the food stored in refrigerators and freezers at risk.
A standby generator can keep refrigeration equipment operating, helping prevent food loss during prolonged outages.
This can be especially valuable for families that maintain a large freezer or keep a significant amount of food refrigerated.
Portable generators can provide useful temporary power, but they require hands-on setup and must always be operated according to strict safety requirements.
A standby generator is permanently installed outdoors and designed to operate automatically.
That means you don’t have to wait until severe weather arrives to move equipment into position or start setting up a generator in difficult conditions.
It also means the generator can respond if the power goes out while you’re away from home.
Standby generators are commonly connected to an available fuel supply, such as natural gas or propane, depending on the home and selected equipment.
This eliminates the need to continually refill a small portable fuel tank during an outage.
The appropriate fuel source, generator model, installation location, and other requirements should be evaluated before installation.
Standby generators are installed outdoors on an appropriate base and connected to the home’s electrical and fuel systems.
Placement isn’t arbitrary. The installation must account for factors such as manufacturer requirements, applicable codes, utility equipment, doors and windows, exhaust, service access, and the layout of the property.
Professional planning helps ensure that the generator is positioned appropriately while remaining accessible for future maintenance.
Generator sizing depends largely on what you want to keep running during an outage.
A system intended to power several essential circuits will have different requirements from one designed to support a much larger portion of the home.
Factors to consider include:
An electrical load assessment can help determine an appropriate generator size without unnecessarily oversizing or undersizing the system.
Yes. A standby generator needs periodic maintenance to remain dependable.
Maintenance requirements vary by model and usage, but generally involve inspecting the equipment and checking items such as oil, filters, batteries, connections, and overall operation.
The system should also be exercised and maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
After all, a generator’s value depends on being ready to operate when an unexpected outage occurs.
That depends on your home and priorities.
A standby generator may be particularly useful if you:
For many homeowners, the primary benefit isn’t simply keeping the lights on. It’s maintaining important household systems when utility power isn’t available.
If you’re considering backup power for your home, Ehret Inc. can help you determine what type and size of system makes sense for your needs.
Our team provides professional Generac generator installation for homeowners in Belleville, Illinois, and surrounding Metro East communities. We can evaluate your home’s power requirements, discuss which systems you want available during an outage, and help you select an appropriate solution.
Contact Ehret Inc. to learn more about adding dependable backup power to your home.
