After a major storm, generator sales go up all around the country. Does that mean people are just buying them for peace of mind? The benefits of owning a backup generator are actually very tangible. Power outages can disrupt your life, but a generator helps you maintain a sense of normalcy during storms that tend to damage local power. A backup home generator will keep your appliances running and you can enjoy the comforts of home while the power is down. Here in the middle of Connecticut, we can expect a couple of storms every year that will result in an outage of some kind.
Power Through Storms With a Standby Generator
Backup generators are like having insurance: there’s a payout you can expect in the event of a power outage in your part of Connecticut.
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You Can Communicate with Family & Friends
You never know how much battery life your smartphone will have when an outage strikes. A generator can power your landline, plus you can keep your phone charged during the duration of most power outages. You can let your loved ones know that you’re safe at home.
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No Need for a Hotel
During extended outages, especially in very hot or cold weather, you might be compelled to move into a hotel temporarily. Without AC or Heat, you’ll still want to be comfortable. Each night at a hotel could easily cost you a couple hundred dollars (or more!). Additionally, during storms the local hotel rooms get booked quickly, plus you won’t have the comfort of being in your own home. Your backup generator can power the electrical components of your HVAC system to keep your home livable until the power comes back on.
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Keep Your Family & Property Safe
Your home security system might have a battery backup, but it probably can only run for a few hours. The same goes for the sump pump in your basement. Keep your systems running during a storm with a backup generator. Having a steady flow of power protects you against break-ins, flood damage to your home, and other potential risks that can occur during unexpected blackouts.
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Eat Fresh, Prevent Spoiled Food
Refrigerators and freezers can stay cold for a few hours if you don’t open the door. After that, you’ll have to start the process of throwing away all your perishables (or risk getting a food-borne illness). Grocery stores often get barren before a large storm and cannot receive new shipments for days, so you’ll want to have access to fresh food. A generator can give you steady refrigeration during late summer storms. Some medications require refrigeration to stay effective.
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Power Your Medical Devices
There are a number of devices for medical conditions that require a steady flow of power. Ventilators, dialysis machines, CPAP Machines, oxygen concentrators, and nebulizers are amongst them. Most have a backup battery that will run for a brief time until other accommodations can be made. Make sure to choose a standby generator that can power any life-saving equipment that you have in your home.
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Working from Home
If you run a home business or do most or all of your work from home, you can continue to work uninterrupted with the power of a backup generator. Internet services tend to get back online sooner than grid power during storms. And while you might not mind taking a weather-imposed vacation for a few days, it can be handy (and safer) to work from home if a severe storm is flooding streets or an ice storm is making it treacherous to go out.
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Protection From Power Surges
When power returns, your electrical panel can receive a dangerous surge. A whole-house surge protector can always help with that, but your generator will also safely transition your electrical system back to grid power.
Don’t Forget Commercial Generators
Small businesses can use a commercial standby generator to get all of the benefits listed above. Plus, a backup generator can help avoid data loss and will allow you to continue to process credit card transactions. If you need to keep the lights on at your business, a commercial generator is the way to go.
DEGREE Heating and Cooling has the skill and experience to help you choose the right size and type of home backup generator for your needs and get it installed safely.
Get a free estimate for standby generator installation in Glastonbury CT. and surrounding areas.