Why should you consider a backup generator

The 2022-2023 winter season in Ohio has been an interesting one, to say the least. From a massive blast in December to a relatively rainy season for most of January to winter finally deciding to show up in late January, it’s been a wild ride so far. This may leave a homeowner wondering if they need a standby generator for their home. However, don’t let the relatively low-key season trick you. Today, we want to give you three big reasons why you should consider a standby generator for your home.

Types of home generators 
Before we talk about why home generators are important, we first want to discuss the two primary types of backup generators. The first we refer to formally as exactly that: backup generators. They are meant to cover the essentials: your refrigerator, your HVAC, or another major appliance. The power supplied by various sizes of backup generators is meant to act as a standby scenario: you keep your family warm or your food from going bad, perhaps with a lamp or two so that you don’t have to sit in the dark while you wait for power to be restored. They’re portable too, typically only pulled out of storage when you need them.
The second type of home generator is a whole-house generator. Traditionally, these will tap into your existing fuel supply. If you have a propane tank, they’re typically attached to it. If you have natural gas lines, they’re (safely) tied into them. They can power your entire home in the event of an outage. Unlike the first type, these are not portable units.

3 reasons why home generators matter
There are three big reasons why home generators are important to the modern homeowner. Let’s look at each briefly.
• An aging power grid: Various electrical providers across our region are providing energy to residents using outdated power grids. Often, they can’t keep up when the warm weather spikes or cold air drops. A backup generator can keep your home comfortable regardless of what happens with the grid.
• Unpredictable weather patterns: Did you catch our reference to Ohio’s unpredictable weather a few paragraphs ago? There are concerns about upcoming El Niño and La Niña weather patterns that could cause significant outages across Central Ohio in a coming couple of years.
• Sump pumps: Of special note is powering your sump pump. Some areas are prone to flooding and water backup. If you have a finished basement, your sump pump is your first line of defense. When the power goes out, you need to keep it going with a generator for your home.

Can a homeowner install standby generators easily?
Generally speaking, there is a difference between when you can do something and whether you should. As improperly installed backup generators can lead to home fires, and whole-house generators often tap into natural gas or propane lines, this typically requires the assistance of a certified professional.

Home generators installed safely and efficiently
As we mentioned, there are safety considerations whether you’re installing a whole house or a backup generator. As our power grid ages, and the weather plays even more havoc on its reliability, we believe each homeowner should have a standby generator.

Now more than ever is the time to consider installing one of our backup home generators. Let us know how we can help by sending us a message HERE or calling your local Yoder Electric sales office, conveniently listed by region HERE.