Backup and Standby Generators
With our increasing dependence on electrical devices, power-outages can be catastrophic. However, adding solutions like backup and standby generators can avoid disastrous losses of data or communication by providing power to your home when the grid goes down.
Backup and Standby Generators
Peace of mind when you need it most
Standby generators are permanent installations that generally sit on the outside of the home. These units are similar in size to air conditioners.
These generators are installed in-line with the existing power line, meaning it is installed between the power source and the home's power distribution center.
Hands-Off Hardware
Backup and standby generators are always on and can be powered by natural gas, which can be hooked up to your home's line, or by a liquid propane tank. Natural gas will last far longer, but propane should be fine for small homes and short power outages.
When the power goes out, the standby generator's Automatic Transfer Switch turns on the generator for a near-seamless power transfer. Even better, when the power is restored, the generator is turned off.
Backup and Standby Generators work without human intervention for both startup and shutdown procedures. Also, there are no power cords to worry about since they are hard-wired to the home.
Power Where You Need It Most
Backup and Standby Generators generally come in two types: whole house or dedicated circuit.
- Whole House Standby Generators - This type simply substitutes the flow of power for every line in the home for the most seamless experience when the lights go dark. While obviously more expensive than a dedicated generator, whole house generators offer the best protection overall.
- Dedicated Circuit Generators - Using a dedicated generator allows you to power only the circuits that need power most, such as a utility room to keep the furnace going or an office room to ensure a computer doesn't suffer any losses of information from sudden power loss. This type is good for larger homes and, if a propane tank is used instead of natural gas, can last much longer than if the generator had to power a whole house.
The difference in cost between the two standby generator types is massive and could be the deciding factor when choosing which kind to purchase. Dedicated circuit generators can run between $2,000 - $4,000, while their whole-house versions, which offer 2 to 5 times the wattage, cost anywhere from $6,000 - $13,000! Quite a difference in both price and power!
Despite the amazing disparity in power and performance, either style of backup and standby generator will offer a great deal of piece of mind to your everyday living, especially when power is necessary.