As you’re going to learn, in the event of a power outage, a standby generator is your best choice. When a person first hears about backup generators, emergency generators and dealing with power outages, invariably they usually only hear about portable generators. To be fair, portable generators are a lifesaver. If they were the only choice, there would be no reason whatsoever for me to address this issue, but there is another choice. Before generators became popular, I was using portable generators as backup power and to provide power at the numerous sporting events, camping excursions, family outings and outdoor events. Needless to say, they make life easier.

However, the difference between a portable generator and a standby generator is a major one. If you have a portable generator and the power goes out, there is a sequence of steps that you must take before your portable generator can provide you with power. Step one; you have to retrieve the generator from storage. Step two, you have to connect extension cords to the generator and then to the appliances you want to power. Step three; you have to insure that you have enough fuel and oil. Step four; you have to start the generator. Unless your unit has a special automatic start feature, you will have pull start it just like you start a pull start lawnmower. Imagine having to do all that in the middle of an ice storm?

During a power outage, with a standby generator you have DO NOT have to go outside and set the unit up. Standby generators are permanently installed. You DO NOT have to manually start a standby generator; the unit has sensors designed to detect power outages and then an automatic transfer switch switches on your standby generator. The operation is so seamless; you’ll hardly notice it. If you use propane as your fuel source, you could literally give your standby generator five to eleven days or more of backup power.

Just think about the advantages of a standby generator. In the event of a power outage, you don’t have to go outside to set the unit up or start it. If your unit is fueled by propane or natural gas, you’ll never be caught off guard due to a lack of gasoline or diesel fuel. In outages caused by inclement weather such as the ice storm, it seems as though one of the first things to go is gasoline stations. The problem is, people who have gasoline and diesel fueled generators are now forced to drive around town desperately trying to find fuel. They essentially have to leave their homes after they run out of fuel. This is what makes the standby generator such an awesome invention.



Thanks to Joe Elliot for contributing this article to our Generators blog:

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