Having a generator is a great way to protect your home in the event of a power outage. However, it can be a costly investment and need maintenance to keep it working properly.
If you decide to invest in a whole house generator, you should speak with your insurance company about what it is and isn’t covered by your homeowner’s policy. You may be able to get a discount on your policy for having one.
Save Money on Your Homeowners Policy
If you have a generator, it is important to have homeowners insurance that covers your backup power equipment. This is essential for protecting your family, home and assets in case of a power outage.
You can save money on your homeowners policy by taking advantage of various discounts that can be found from different insurers. These discounts vary from company to company and state to state, but they can help lower your premium.
Another way to cut your homeowner’s policy costs is by raising your deductible. This is because a higher deductible will mean you have less out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a covered loss.
Some homeowners also qualify for a discount if they install a burglar alarm system or other security device that alerts emergency services. These savings vary by insurer, but they can be substantial.
Reduce Your Risk of Frozen Pipes
If you’re a homeowner, one of the biggest risks to your home is frozen pipes. Frozen pipes can burst and cause extensive water damage to your property.
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of frozen pipes. For starters, be sure you have a whole house generator in place to provide back-up power in case of an outage.
Next, consider insulating your home’s exposed pipes in areas that are not heated. This includes the attic, crawl space and basement.
In addition, install insulation in the sill plates, where the exterior walls of your home rest on the foundation. This will help prevent the cold air from leaking into your building and freezing your plumbing.
Finally, if you’re planning to be away for an extended period of time, have a friend or family member check on your home to make sure the temperature is still safe. This will help you avoid the possibility of frozen pipes while you’re away.
Save Money on Your Refrigerator or Deep Freezer
During power outages, your refrigerator can stop working and cause food to spoil. This can be a major problem if you’ve stored locally sourced meats or other foods in your freezer.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the first place. For example, installing a whole house generator could help keep your fridge or freezer running when the power goes out.
Aside from the obvious fact that a whole house generator will keep your refrigerator or deep freezer running, you may be able to save money on your electricity bill with a generator. By getting a clear idea of how much electricity your refrigerator or freezer uses, you can work out how big a generator will be needed to power it.
Once you know how many watts your refrigerator or freezer uses, you can start working on ways to reduce your electricity bills and make it more energy efficient. By doing things like defrosting regularly, keeping your refrigerator full, and ensuring that your compressor is only on 20% of the time or less, you can save on your electricity costs.
Get a Homeowners Discount
Whole house generators, or standby power backup systems, can keep your home powered up when the grid goes down. This is especially important for older homes or those with high electrical bills.
Typically, your insurance provider will offer you a discount for having such a system installed. A typical insurer may offer a discount of up to 5% off your policy. However, you must be able to provide evidence that the system is a functional and permanent part of your home.
Another way to save on homeowners insurance is by combining your auto and home policies with the same provider. This can save you money by bundling the best possible coverage for your vehicles and your home. The key to getting the most savings from this strategy is to work with an insurance agent who understands your needs and can advise you on how to save. You can also ask for a free home and car quote to see how much you could save.