Backup Generators - Benefits and Drawbacks
Any business or homeowner would be concerned about a power outage at their facility or residence, especially if it would continue for more than a half-hour.
In an energy blackout, backup generators provide a long-term alternative for powering your home. Backup generators are made to start up automatically when the power goes out, ensuring that your home will always have a steady source of electricity.
For this reason, many owners prefer to spend money on a backup generator. Many might counter that the infrequent power disruptions do not justify buying a backup generator.
Let’s review the benefits and drawbacks of getting a backup generator for your home or business.
Benefits
As we have seen, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other severe storms can cause catastrophic property damage. Unfortunately, natural catastrophes are occurring more frequently.
In order to protect your home or business from the dangers of a power outage, many owners are investing in a backup generator, which can provide a reliable source of power for when you need it most.
The various benefits of a backup generator include:
- Peace of Mind: Knowing that your family or business is protected if a power outage occurs due to a natural disaster.
- Cost Savings: Backup generators are more cost-effective than replacing expensive electronics and appliances damaged by power outages.
- Convenience: Backup generators can turn on automatically in the event of a power outage and provide power until the grid is restored.
- Increased Safety: Backup generators can provide light and power to critical systems, so you can keep your family and business safe in the event of a natural disaster.
The Generator's Function
When the electricity goes out, a backup generator at home setup by domestic electrician can bring power back to your house. A variety of sizes of equipment are offered, ranging from compact, portable units to huge, whole-house systems. While whole-house systems use diesel, propane, or natural gas, portable devices need gasoline.
Risk management
Having a backup generator installed by commercial electrician in Perth can provide any firm an advantage over rivals during power outages. Power outages that last an hour or more can be disastrous for a business. If your business can maintain production with a backup generator, there won’t be any consumer complaints and no revenue loss.
More Revenue
It goes without saying that many businesses would experience revenue losses during power outages because they won’t be able to serve their clients. By being prepared with a backup generator, your business will have a competitive advantage because it will be operating and bringing in new clients.
Safe Your House
A standby generator can provide immediate security from extended power outages, and can help you save money in the long run. Here are some of the ways:
- You could save on expensive hotel stays for extended power outages.
- Frozen pipes are prevented from bursting with the power of your hot water heater.
- You can save money by preventing the need to replace spoiled food with a powered refrigerator.
- Security is maintained while you're away with the power of your home security system.
- Overflowing sump pumps are avoided with the power of your generator.
- Water flow is maintained for residences with personal wells.
Investing in a standby generator can be a cost-effective way to ensure you are secure and prepared in the face of an extended power outage.
Cons
The use of standby generators can be an effective solution for providing reliable power during outages. However, there are some potential drawbacks that must be taken into consideration before investing in a standby generator.
Regular Maintenance
Keeping your commercial backup generator in top working order requires regular maintenance. During weekly maintenance, you should drain the fuel filter and any water from the tank, check your battery charger and connections, and clean the air filter. This process requires a lot of time, but it’s important to ensure your generator is running optimally and safely.
Cost
One of the primary disadvantages of having a standby generator is the cost. Installing a standby generator can be expensive, as it requires an initial purchase, installation and ongoing maintenance. Additionally, the cost of fuel must be taken into account when determining the total expense.
Noise
Another disadvantage of having a standby generator is the potential disruption they can cause. Standby generators can be noisy, and may also require additional space on the property to store the necessary fuel.
Fuel Requirement
Even while you won’t always need to refuel a generator, you’ll still need to use a backup power source when you do. Diesel, natural gas, or liquid propane are the three fuels that can be used for backup generators.
Natural gas is the most advantageous of the three possibilities because it is affordable and renewable. In contrast, diesel is the most expensive and not necessarily the best.
Final Thought
Considering the potential disadvantages, it is important to weigh the pros and cons before investing in a standby generator.
Before taking the plunge and investing in a backup generator for your home, it is essential to do your research and prepare meticulously. Although the price of whole-house systems has decreased, it is still a significant investment. To ensure you select the right generator for your home and its specific needs, it is best to speak with a licensed electrician from Liffey Electrical. Doing so will help you determine your generator requirements and ensure that your investment is one that you can count on in times of need.