Standby Generators
What is a standby generator?
A standby generator, often called an emergency generator is a machine designed to
produce electricity in the event your normal source of electricity (i.e. FPL) is
disconnected or unavailable for an extended period of time.
The cost to own and operate a standby generator is directly related to how much
power you need in the event of an emergency. Many people are surprised to find out
that a standby generator is affordable when sized to true emergency conditions.
For example, in the event of a hurricane, are you going to be running the A/C full
time? Can you get by without the use of your hot water heater? Are you going to
be having the family over for a turkey dinner?
By preparing ahead of time, you can figure out what electricity demands are absolutely
necessary and see if you can afford a unit to fit your needs. Some simple math will
allow you to see the total power (expressed in wattage or watts) you need to fulfill
your demand. Since generator sizes are measured in watts or kilowatts (kW), once
you know how many watts you need to run your home in an emergency you can then shop
around to find a good value.
Most manufacturers recommend not maxing out the capacity of the generator. A good
rule of thumb is size your generator for 125% of the total wattage you need. You
can then shop around for comparison prices. Check to see what fuel the unit runs
on. Common fuels are LP, Natural Gas, an Diesel. Find out the pros and cons to these
different fuels and also availability.
B J Electrical Service has experience wiring and installing numerous standby generators.
We look forward to working with you!