Whole house generators, as the name suggests, power up your entire house. With the Texas power outages and the world inclining towards remote working, it’s important to have a reliable power source that you can count on, and whole house generators do exactly that.
If you’re interested in investing in a whole house generator – given their value for money – you have our approval, since we strongly believe these machines are a life-saving investment (no, we are not exaggerating) instead of a cost.
Purchasing a whole house generator can be tricky – thanks to its technical nature. To ease your journey, we have compiled some key pointers to keep in mind when you go generator-hunting.
How do Whole House Generators Operate?
The functionality of house generators is highly convenient. In the situation of a power outage, your generator will sense disruption and automatically start up. On average, from refrigerators to security systems, all utilities will be up and running in approximately six seconds.
Imagine a sudden power outage in the middle of a crucial meeting. If you have a portable generator, you’ll have to get up to check for fuel and start the generator manually – which isn’t always a seamless process.
All in all, you can expect an interruption that will last at least 15 minutes. A whole house generator, on the other hand, will require no effort and have you back online within seconds. Convenience at it’s best!
Once the power has returned, the generator will turn off, complete a cool down process and return to its standby mode, ready to operate whenever the need comes.
How Long Does it Take to Install Whole House Generators?
Installing a whole house generator usually takes us less than a day. However, in certain counties – say New Castle County – the installation can take around 2 to 3 days due to the permitting processes. While this may seem like a long time, compare it to the years of comfort it provides – automatic start-up, fuel storage and operational safety.
What Size Would Work for Me?
Depending on the square feet of your house, whole house generators come in a range of sizes. Large houses require larger generators that can support the greater power requirement. In fact, you can also opt for a generator based on your needs – if you don’t want the generator to support the entire house, you can opt for a smaller one.
Pro-tip: Make sure you hire an experienced provider for the installation process instead of opting for the DIY route. It requires technical know-how as well as extensive electrical and plumbing skills – so doing it yourself could actually be a recipe for disaster.
All American Electric is an authorized PowerPro Elite Generac Dealer and Installer, and our team is highly equipped to recommend an ideal one that best suits your requirements.
If you choose All American Electric, you can leave all the technicalities to our skilled team and enjoy the numerous perks that come with these powerhouses.
What Fuel do Whole House Generators Run On?
All American Electric generators can run on natural gas, liquid propane, or diesel. We recommend natural gas, since it relieves you from worrying about fuel storage or whether your generator can last the entire duration of a power outage.
Liquid propane and diesel also work, but they need to be stored in large containers, which can be cumbersome.
How are Whole House Generators Maintained?
Like cars, generators needs to be maintained, too. Whole house generators perform self-testing on a weekly basis, unlike portable generators that need to be checked upon manually on a monthly basis.
However, it’s still important to have your standby generator serviced bi-annually. With All American Electric as your dealers, we offer maintenance services that ensure your generators operate seamlessly and efficiently in the long run.
Even if you face troubles with your generator in the middle of the night, you can count on us, as we offer 24/7 customer support and reliable customer service. We wouldn’t want a mere power outage hindering your work/life.
How Loud are Whole House Generators?
We need to clear something out: generators make noise. Regardless of the type or size of generators, they are designed to be noisy. On the bright side though, whole house generators make less noise than a portable one. We know this isn’t a technical point, but it’s a strong point that goes in favor of whole house generators.
Can Whole House Generators be Dangerous?
Whole house generators are 100% safe, as they come with an automatic switch that protects against sudden electricity surges and electrical back-feeding (the unintentional flow of electricity in a reverse direction) that can lead to intense fires.
Last but not the least – What to Look for in Whole House Generators?
As a newbie, you may have no idea of the technicalities. This is exactly why we have listed the 3 crucial features you should be looking for when buying whole house generators:
- Automatic Start-Up – The generator should turn on as soon as the power goes out – without any manual intervention.
- Fuel Gauge – In case of prolonged blackouts, this will tell you how much fuel remains in the tank.
- Substitute Fuel Capacity – this comes in handy when you run out of gas.
We are nearly sure we’ve convinced you in going for a whole house generator. If you’re still looking for more information or need the push to make the decision, we’re here to help!
Situated in Delaware, All American Electric recognizes the need for whole house generators, as weather conditions worsen and power outages increasingly become a harsh reality. Whole house generators offer convenience, reliability and most importantly – peace of mind!