Want a stress-free way to ensure you’ll never be without power? Do you want to feel secure in your home even if the grid is compromised? A whole house generator could be just what the doctor ordered.
At Long-Walker Electrical Services, we work with the best brands in the business to give you and your family peace of mind with our whole house generator installation services.
We help keep your Louisville, KY home powered up even through the worst storm. Whatever you need, we have something that’s just right for you.
What To Look For in a Home Generator
Generators can be a great addition to any house. However, if you purchase the unit without doing your homework. You may be left with some major headaches and recurring expenses that could have been avoided.
It is therefore important to work with a professional when choosing the right generator for your home and family’s needs.
With that said, here are several factors to think about when getting a whole house generator in Louisville, KY.
A) Generator Wattage
A generator’s wattage determines how much energy your generator can provide. The higher the wattage of the generator, the more things it can run at once. It is important to know what appliances you may need to run and what wattage is required by each of them.
B) Fuel Type
You need to decide what type of fuel source you’ll use for your generator. The most common source is natural gas because it’s available nearly everywhere and easy to install. You can also get a propane tank if there isn’t a natural gas line in your area or if you prefer propane as a fuel source. Some generators are also powered by diesel fuel, which is ideal if you already have diesel on hand for other purposes around your home.
C) Portable or Permanent?
You can get back up generators in two main types: portable and permanent. Portable generators are usually found in our neighbors’ garages, backyards, or sheds. They’re ideal for people who need power for a weekend camping trip or during an unexpected power outage.
Permanent generators, on the other hand, are installed as part of your home’s electrical circuit. When there’s a power outage, they automatically kick in without any action from you.
D) Reliability
While it may seem obvious, reliability is one of the most important factors in choosing a home generator. Make sure you choose a model that has electronic ignition and automatic starting capabilities. This will help prevent issues with the unit not starting when you need it to most.
E) Efficiency
This feature is especially important if you want an affordable option for backup power in case of an outage or emergency. A model that gets good fuel mileage will cost less per hour to operate as well as reduce overall operating expenses over time.
F) Warranty and Reputation
A good warranty from a reputable company lets you know that the manufacturer has confidence in their product and stands behind it. Look for extended warranty options as well as service contracts for ongoing support and maintenance on your generator.
G) Noise Level
Most portable generators are made of plastic and have open frames. None of this helps with noise reduction — it makes them louder. For quieter operation, look for models made of steel and covered with soundproofing material.
Benefits of Having a Whole Home Generator
When it comes to saving money, few things are as effective as having a whole home generator. This is especially true in times of extreme weather. The number of hours you will lose power during a storm can be substantial, and the costs associated with this can add up quickly.
Read on as we discuss five main benefits of having a whole-home generator.
1. Reliable Back-Up Power Source
A whole-home generator provides you with a reliable backup power source in the event of a power outage or storm. This is because the generator will power your electrical panel by hooking directly into it, and then distributing power to all your appliances and electronics.
2. Protection Against Power Surges
When there is a power disruption, there is also the risk of power surges. Power surges happen when the voltage increases beyond what electronic devices need to operate properly. This can severely damage your phone, computers, and other electronics if they are plugged in when the surge happens.
3. Convenience
A whole house generator will allow you to keep all appliances running, including your refrigerator and lights. Not only will this make life more convenient during the outage, but it will also prevent loss of food due to spoilage in your refrigerator and freezer.
4. Safety
Generators can help protect your home by keeping your security system up and running during power loss. It also powers your appliances and devices that help prevent damage to your property, such as sump pumps. If these devices aren’t working properly, they could lead to water damage or other issues.
5. Peace of Mind
Knowing that you have a backup plan in place should a power outage occur can give you peace of mind that your family will remain safe until the power comes back on. You’ll likely sleep better at night knowing that should something happen, you’ll still have access to electricity and running water.
How Long Do Home Generators Last?
Home standby generators are designed to last for decades. If properly maintained, your standby generator can last 15-20 years. However, it is important to note that the lifespan of a backup generator depends on three key factors.
Let’s have a look at some of these.
Generator Quality: A home generator that is up to standard will have a longer life span as compared to its poor-quality counterpart. In addition, a quality manufacturer will provide customer service and technical service when needed, so make sure that the company you buy from offers both of these options.
Generator Maintenance: If you do not properly maintain your unit, then its lifespan will be shortened significantly. To keep your home generator at its best, we recommend performing routine maintenance as well as scheduling annual inspections with a professional technician.
Hours of Use: The more often you use your home generator, the shorter its lifespan will be. This is because running your generator frequently causes wear and tear on the unit’s components.
Why an Electrician Is Needed To Install a Whole Home Generator
While it can be tempting to try and install a whole house generator yourself, it is highly recommended that you consider hiring an electrician to do the installation for you. Here are some reasons why:
Safety
A whole house generator can produce a lot of electricity and if something goes wrong during the installation process, it could cause serious injury or even death. An electrician will know how to use all of the safety equipment and how to handle an emergency if something was to go wrong.
Experience
Many factors go into installing a whole house generator in your home. An experienced electrician not only knows how to properly install them but also which ones are best for your particular situation. They also know how much power you need for your home so that you get the right one installed.
Permits and Inspections
When you install a whole house generator, you will likely need permits and inspections, depending on what area of the country you live in and what type of installation method is being used for your home. A licensed electrician will know what permits are required for your particular project and can pull those permits when they begin work. They will also schedule inspections at certain points throughout the installation process.
Professional tools
For an electrician to install a whole-home generator properly, he or she needs several specialized tools that the average homeowner would not have access to. For example, different types of generators will require different types of tools during their installation process.
Stay Powered with Our Whole House Generator Installation Services
Having an electrical system installed is no small matter, and what can sometimes make that even more challenging is finding someone you can trust.
At Long-Walker Electrical Services we understand the importance of ensuring your whole house generator is sound. That’s why we employ only the most knowledgeable and experienced contractors to do the job for you.
Our technicians will be able to determine which type of generator works best with your current setup and make sure that everything is going smoothly before they leave.
Don’t get left in the dark. Contact us today!