If you live in an area that’s prone to hurricanes, ice storms, tornadoes, wildfires and other natural disasters, a home generator is essential. A whole house generator can help you keep your lights on during a power outage, so you can continue to operate appliances and medical equipment.
They run on either propane or natural gas, and are available in a variety of sizes. It’s important to choose the right size generator for your needs, and to have it professionally installed.
Cost
The cost of a home generator without natural gas can vary greatly depending on the type, size, and fuel source. In addition to the initial purchase price, you will likely have to pay for professional installation, connectors, transfer switches, permits, and more.
The size of the generator you need depends on how many appliances and lights you have and your typical daily power consumption. You may also have to consider whether you need a standby model or portable one.
Home backup generators are essential for powering medical equipment, heating and cooling units, electrical devices, and other crucial systems that you might need when the electricity goes out. They can save you money on hotel rooms, food spoilage, and other expenses during an outage.
Environment
When you’re using a home generator without natural gas, you are causing significant environmental damage. These types of generators run on fossil fuels, such as diesel or propane, which produce a variety of emissions.
These emissions affect the environment in a number of ways, including greenhouse gas pollution. As these gases get into the atmosphere, they change its composition and compromise Earth’s ability to regulate life-sustaining surface temperatures.
Fortunately, there are emission-free generators on the market that you can purchase for your home. These devices reduce your reliance on fossil fuels and decrease the amount of pollution in the environment, which can help prevent climate change effects.
Aside from reducing your carbon footprint, using a generator with low-emissions is also a great way to protect your family’s health. It’s also easier to obtain a permit for a generator that uses lower-emissions fuel.
Safety
Home generators can be dangerous if they’re used improperly or if you don’t follow safety precautions. Even a small amount of carbon monoxide can kill or poison you.
To help reduce this risk, choose a generator that has built-in carbon monoxide (CO) safety technology. These new models have sensors that trigger automatic shutoffs if CO levels climb to dangerous levels in an enclosed space.
These generators also have engines that emit less CO in the first place, which can save you money over time.
Despite its odorless and colorless nature, CO is deadly in very low concentrations. Symptoms of CO poisoning include dizziness, confusion and extreme fatigue.
Install battery-operated or battery-backup CO alarms on every level of your home and in outside sleeping areas to alert you if the generator is producing dangerous levels of the gas. Test the alarms frequently and replace the batteries when needed.
Installation
When you have a home generator without natural gas, it needs to be hooked up to a dedicated fuel line. This can be a propane tank or natural gas line that is pumped into a dedicated space outside your house.
Regardless of the fuel type, you’ll need to have your natural gas meter and lines installed correctly. This is a job for a licensed plumber, who will be able to install the proper size lines and valves.
Another important factor is installing the correct automatic transfer switch that will automatically start your generator when the power goes out. A professional installer will ensure your switch matches the amps that your electrical panel can handle.
The final step is to put your whole house generator in a sound deadening protective enclosure and install an exhaust system that will safely vent gases away from your home. Once all this is done, you’re ready to enjoy your home’s backup power for years to come.
