Emergency Backup Power: Can You Afford to Be in the Dark?

Power failures due to extreme weather, high energy use, outdated utilities, and other unpredictable events continue to increase across the country. Any restaurant that has been forced to ditch spoiled meat and produce can tell you how expensive even a brief power outage can be.

In the winter of 06-07, parts of Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas and Missouri were without power for up to two weeks. Meanwhile, businesses and homeowners were forced to deal with frozen pipes, flooded basements, cold buildings, darkness, and a lack of running water. Trying to find a portable generator to buy or rent during this period became almost impossible. Whether you’re a business or homeowner, a backup power source is a good investment, think of it as an insurance policy against hassle and lost earnings.

There are two types of generators available that can be used as a power source, portable or standby. In case you are considering such a purchase, I recommend that you do your homework very carefully. The Internet and any reputable generator dealer are excellent sources for this information. A licensed electrician should also be consulted and hired before beginning the installation.

Portable generators They are available from $ 500- $ 3,500 and are the kind you see at construction sites and campgrounds. They normally run on gasoline or diesel and are easily transported with a truck. Depending on your energy needs, an investment of around $ 1000 is enough to power some essential items in the average home, such as sump pump, well pump, freezer, refrigerator, television, forced air oven (natural gas or propane ) and a few lights. Due to the large amount of power that central air conditioning units require at start-up, even the most powerful portable generators are not enough to run central air. However, some of the larger portable units can power a small window unit.

Standby generators They are available from $ 1500- $ 70,000 + and are the kind used in homes and hospitals. These models generally require a small concrete pad to mount and connect to the building’s electrical panel with the use of a transfer switch. Typically powered by diesel fuel, natural gas, or propane, these generators can be set to start automatically in the event of a power loss. If installed properly, the transition from grid to backup power is a near-continuous flicker of lights and can be configured to run only a few essential circuits or the entire building, including central air conditioning. Standby generators are always there, well prepared, should they be needed and will even turn on themselves once a week to charge the battery and circulate fluids so they are ready when needed.

Bail It should always be used near any generator and the manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed to the letter due to the obvious hazards these devices present. Under no circumstances should a generator be connected to a building’s wiring system using the practice commonly known as feedback! This practice is extremely dangerous and endangers the lives of people even miles away, not to mention that it is illegal in most localities. Using a transfer switch and a licensed electrician to install it is the only safe and proper way to do it.