More Power to You: Benefits of a Propane Gas Generator
The hurricane season officially arrived this month, and this year, experts at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are predicting as many as four major storms (Category 3 or higher). You can listen to what one of the experts at NOAA says here.
As anyone who lives in the Carolinas knows, hurricanes mean power outages. Besides hurricanes, other contributors to a loss of power include floods, aging infrastructure and earthquakes. The U.S suffered 3,634 power outages in 2014, affecting more than 14 million people. That’s 12% higher than 2013, and 285% more than in 1984.* Yet, despite this trend toward more outages, only 27 percent of American homeowners report having any source of backup power—despite the financial and emotional toll a power outage causes.**
Why so low? Most people say the main barrier to investing in backup power is the initial, short-term expense. However, research show that NOT having any backup power can be more expensive in the long term. A recent study determined that the average homeowner will be disrupted by 3.5 power interruptions in a two-year period. And just one of those power outages can cost the homeowner $1,250—in spoiled food, eating out, damage to electronics, lost wages and temporary relocation costs.***
That’s why a standby generator for your home is such a smart investment. While some of your neighbors remain in the dark when the power gets knocked out, a generator lets you enjoy your heating and cooling, lighting, refrigeration and other essentials, including sump pumps, security systems and medical equipment. And don’t forget about having the power to charge all the phones in the family!
If you’re ready to purchase a new generator, think about a propane-powered one first. Propane offers advantages that other fuel sources can’t match.
Propane doesn’t degrade over time, unlike diesel or gasoline. This makes propane the ideal stand-by power fuel. Propane generators also produce much fewer emissions and less noise than diesel or gasoline generators. They’re safer too because gasoline and diesel units can create a carbon monoxide risk.
Permanently installed—similar to an outdoor A/C unit—and supplied by an aboveground or underground tank, your propane generator will start automatically within seconds of the power going out. Propane generators are available in a variety of capacities to fit the needs of any size home in the Carolinas.
To learn more about propane gas generators, please contact your propane company and they’ll be glad to help and give you expert advice.
Sources:
* Eaton’s 2014 Blackout Tracker Annual Report
** Propane Research and Education Council
*** Power Outage Impact Research, B2B International, 2015