Whether you’re looking for peace of mind during a power outage or want to increase your home value, whole house generators are a good investment. Consumer reports have found that installing a whole house generator can increase your home’s resale value by up to 5%.
Whole house generators come in a range of sizes and can be powered by natural gas, liquid propane or diesel. It is important to know your fuel needs before deciding on a generator.
Cost
Investing in a whole house generator is a good idea for homeowners who experience frequent power outages or want to protect their home from the damage caused by prolonged outages. A generator will help avoid the expense of repairing frozen pipes, losing spoiled food from your fridge and freezer and having to deal with a flooded basement thanks to an unpowered sump pump.
Depending on the type of generator you choose, the cost of a whole house generator can range from $12,000 to $25,000 upfront plus anywhere between $200 and $600 per year for maintenance and repair costs. Some models include an automatic transfer switch (ATS), which automatically connects the generator to your electrical system when power fails.
Whole house generators can be either fixed or portable, but they require a dedicated spot on your property to ensure they’re protected from the elements. It can cost $50 to $75 per square foot for site preparation and concrete pouring, so you’ll need to budget accordingly.
Durability
The best way to find out if a whole house generator is right for you is to talk to an expert about your home’s power needs. Once you have an idea of your current energy usage and future plans, you can get to work on the selection process. Luckily, a good technician can answer any questions you may have and recommend the best options for your home. A good one will also help you avoid any unnecessary surprises during the installation process.
You’ll want to buy a quality product that can stand up to the test of time. In fact, you could consider a whole house generator upgrade as an investment that will pay off handsomely in the long run. It’s a wise move to purchase one before a power outage strikes, because the best ones are typically hard to come by if you’re not on the hunt.
Reliability
If you live in an area prone to power outages, then a whole house generator could be a good investment for your home. Not only will it help keep your essential appliances running, but it will also provide you with peace of mind during a power outage.
A whole house generator is a permanently installed, outdoor unit that supplies a constant backup of electricity. These devices run on natural gas, liquid propane, or diesel fuel and are designed to stand up to frequent power outages.
The reliability of a generator depends on several factors, including its Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF). This is how long the machine will take to break down and fail to start up again.
A reliable whole house generator should be able to run for hours at a time and can even supply power for your sump pumps and water heaters. It should also have a long warranty to protect your investment and keep it functioning at its best.
Safety
A whole house generator is a good investment that can save you money, peace of mind, and a lot of frustration in the event of a power outage. It also helps keep your sump pumps running, which can prevent flooding.
If you do decide to install a whole house generator, make sure it is properly installed by a professional. You don’t want to connect the generator directly to your home’s circuit panel or wall outlet – that could lead to backfeeding, which can destroy appliances and create fires.
You should always use generators outdoors and far away from doors, windows, vents and crawl spaces in order to avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. This odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas can kill you within minutes if your home is not equipped with CO detectors and proper ventilation.
Some generators come with built-in CO safety technology, but CR suggests that you only use them in places that they’ll sense the exhaust. That’s because the sensor can only react to the generator itself – it won’t recognize other areas of your home where it’ll release CO.