Be Ready with a Propane Whole-House Generator
When the Electric Grid Fails, Let Propane Take Over
The fragile electric infrastructure in this country has failed us time and again, causing massive disruption, frustration, and discomfort. We’ve all experienced a number of uncomfortable power outages in North Carolina over the years.
In preparation, some folks keep gasoline-powered portable generators in their garage for power outage emergencies. But these units have the capacity to deliver only a limited amount of power. They can also be dangerous if not vented properly.
In comparison, a whole-house backup propane generator allows you to enjoy all the comforts of home and keeps you safe when power is disrupted. With a propane-powered standby generator, your power will restart automatically within seconds after an outage, and it will stay on until power is restored – all without the hassles or carbon monoxide dangers that come with using portable gasoline generators.
Permanently installed–similar to an outdoor A/C unit–and supplied by a propane tank–propane generators are available in a variety of capacities to fit the needs of any size home in North Carolina.
Protect your comfort
With a propane whole-house backup generator, you’ll get through a summer outage with your air conditioning keeping the house cool. If you lose power in the winter, your home will stay at a safe, warm temperature so you and your family will be comfortable.
Protect your loved ones
Is there someone in your home who relies on medical equipment such as oxygen, home dialysis, or an electric wheelchair? A propane whole-house backup generator keeps their vital equipment running.
Protect your food
Some of the foods in your refrigerator can begin to spoil in just a few hours after the power goes out. You could end up throwing out hundreds of dollars’ worth of food–from your refrigerator and freezer–without a propane whole-house backup generator.
Protect your electronics
A backup generator powers your laptop, phone, TV, gaming system and more. You can work safely from home; you and your family will stay entertained, and you can stay connected with loved ones and the world outside as you await updates on restored power.
Choosing the Right Size Generator
When it comes to whole house generators, it’s critical to identify your specific comfort needs up front. The size of a whole house generator depends on what you intend to operate during an outage. Electrical appliances in your home tend to fall into two categories:
- Your “power essentials,” which include things like your lights, garage door opener, fridge/freezer, sump and well pumps, your furnace fan, security system, TV/computers, microwave, and washing machine.
- Your high-wattage items, including your air conditioner, electric dryer, heat pump, hot tub, water heater, oven, geothermal system, and well pump.
Generators range quite a bit in size – and price – depending on which and how many of each category of appliances above you want or need to operate when the power is out. A small, five kilowatt (kW) unit, for example, can operate power essentials such as lights, a refrigerator, a television and other small appliances.
A large, 25-kW generator on the other hand, can easily run high-wattage heat or air conditioning units while still being able to turn on lights and appliances. Depending on what other high wattage appliances are being run, a 25-kW generator may only be able to power one air conditioning or heat pump system so it is best to consider what you want your generator to accomplish.
If you don’t have a propane generator yet and would like to explore your options, reach out to your propane company for advice. Since whole house generators need to be connected to both your home electric supply and a fuel source, you’ll need certified professional technicians to make sure the job is done safely – and done right. Your propane company can probably refer you to a trusted professional.
You can learn about safety during power outages here.