If your home or business lost power for even an hour, what would happen? In some cases, it could be frustrating, expensive, and even dangerous. Power outages can fry your electronics, spoil your food, and ruin your customer’s experiences with your systems. It can add up to a lot of lost time and money.
With a permanent standby generator, you can bypass the costly surprise of a power outage at your home or business. Learn more about these systems to see if they’re right for you.
What is a Standby Generator?
A standby generator — also called a stationary generator or whole-house generator — is a permanently installed appliance connected to your home or business’s exterior. The most robust standby generators can power your entire home or facility for days during an extended power outage, like a severe storm or man-made disaster.
These systems are designed to provide immediate power in the event of an outage. They turn on automatically within seconds of detecting a loss of power to provide backup electricity run on natural gas or propane. When power is restored, the generator automatically shuts off and is reconnected to the main utility grid.
Standby Vs. Portable Generator
The two main types of generators are the standby generator explained above and a portable generator. A portable generator is the type most people think of when they think of a generator. It can be purchased from a website like Walmart or Amazon and used whenever needed.
They’re more affordable than a standby generator and much easier to install as they’re often just stored until needed. That being said, you’ll be out of luck if you’re out of town when power runs out. And you’ll need to keep gasoline on hand (up to 20 gallons per day) to operate them. And it’s important to note that burning that much gasoline in an enclosed space could also lead to safety concerns, like carbon monoxide.
| Standby Generator | Portable Generator |
| Quiet | Noisy |
| Automatic | Manual |
| Whole-home power | Room-by-room power |
| Self-powered | Fuel-powered |
| 8,000 to 20,000 watts | 3,000 to 8,500 watts |
Benefits of Standby Generators
Still on the fence? Here are some reasons why homeowners and business owners should consider installing a standby generator at their location.
They automatically detect blackouts
Regardless of if you’re out of town or your business is shut down for the holidays, a standby generator will kick into gear in the event of a power loss. They automatically sense when power is lost from the main grid and turn on within seconds.
With a portable generator, you have to be present in the first place. And secondly, it still takes 10-20 minutes (at least) to get power restored as you’ll have to pull the generator out of storage, hook it up, and wait for it to start operating.
They provide enough energy to power your entire home.
A portable generator likely won’t be able to power your entire home, unless it’s a massive system, and is better reserved for a tailgate or a camping trip.
A standby generator on the otherhand is designed to operate your entire home or facility for a few days at least. During the installation process, standby generator installation company near you will specifically choose a system that fits your home or facility’s needs.
So in the event of a power outage, you don’t have to choose which appliances or rooms deserve power; instead you can rest confidently knowing your entire space is powered up.
They never need to be refueled.
Unlike a portable generator which needs refueld based on how often it’s used, a standby generator does not need to be refueled. Standby generators run on a natural gas line from your utility company or propane from a large tank on your property, so it theoretically can run for an extended period of time — if not indefinitely.
They minimize other damages.
By having a generator that turns on automatically and runs for a long time, you can protect your other appliances or systems during an outage as well. For example, you can keep food from spoiling in your fridge or protect your pipes from freezing and bursting. The ROI on these systems, in some cases, can be pretty great.
They give you peace of mind.
While most power outages are brief, large-scale disasters still happen. And in some parts of the nation, like tornado alley, it can happen more often. Being prepared with a long-lasting solution can make a huge difference in the event of an extended power outage.
To make sure your system is up to the challenge your home or corporate facility offers, make sure you work with a licensed and experienced generator installer. If you’re searching for a reliable and experienced generator service, CDL has the brands you trust and the skills you can count on. We have decades of experience providing the highest quality customer service across the nation.
Contact us today for generator sales, repair, and maintenance from a company driven by a mission to provide great products and services.
