Visions of days without power can send even the most seasoned Florida resident to the phone to consult with an electrician about a standby generator. Between hurricanes, tropical storms, lightning storms, and general wear and tear on public utility systems, the odds of a power outage are good on any given day. A generator can be a lifesaver for those on medical support or businesses that have to keep freezers and refrigerators cold, but homeowners have more leeway in their power choices. When it comes to generator standby power, how much do you really need and how do you choose?
Needs Analysis
Everyone would like their entire electrical system to remain the same, regardless of storms and other problems, but it might not be practical for many homeowners. Often, it’s a matter of determining needs vs. wants. Obviously, the more power you create to be used during an outage, the more expensive your system will be. The smartest choice might be for you to list every electrical item in your house that’s crucial for your daily life, then add up what it costs in terms of electrical power.
The Basics
For most families, keeping the refrigerator and freezer running are a must. Without electrical power, food can go bad at a surprisingly quick rate, and this can add up to huge financial losses for those with freezers full of expensive meat. Families need at least a few lights for safety and comfort, and enough power to run a few fans if the power goes out in the summer. In the winter, space heaters or a furnace are necessities if you’re going to stay home during a blackout, and cell phone chargers are a must in any emergency situation.
Nice-to-Haves
Less crucial but still good to have are the water heater, television for entertaining children and other family members, kitchen appliances, and a computer. For those who work at home, a computer will rise near the top of the list of necessary items, but otherwise it can be downgraded to a luxury. It’s all a matter of priorities. The best way to divide this list is to decide whether you could survive without each item without physical or financial risk. If the answer’s yes, then don’t worry about paying for power to them.
Doing the Math
Generators are rated in size in terms of how many KW, or kilowatts, of electricity they will produce. Choosing the right one for your home is a matter of doing some research, then adding up the numbers. Go online to your appliance’s websites and find out the power usage for each one. Add in the kilowatts used for lights, fans, or any other items you’ve put on your necessary list. Add an extra 25 percent for safety and emergency usage and the final number you reach will tell you the size of your desired generator. If your generator chosen is among the most powerful in the store, you might want to pare down the items you feel you need to live while the power goes out, if you want to keep it a frugal operation.
Cost Analysis
There are two types of cost when it comes to generator standby power. The one most people think of, which is the cost of running the system, isn’t much different from one size generator to the other. The real cost homeowners need to think about is the price of the system itself. You’ll rarely recoup the cost of a generator just by avoiding spoiled food or missed appointments, but the emotional toll placed on your family can mean a lot. Contacting a licensed professional electrician to create a plan for adding a standby generator can give you and your family peace of mind, just knowing a power outage won’t mean living like a camping vacation for days at a time.
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