3 Tips For Generator Success
Having access to electricity can be essential when it comes to weathering a disaster. If you are worried that a natural disaster could leave your home without power, then you may want to consider investing in a portable generator. Having access to a generator allows you to keep your home functioning normally for a short period of time, regardless of the state of your area's electrical grid.
Here are three tips that you can use to ensure your generator is a success in the future.
1. Size your generator appropriately.
One mistake that homeowners commonly make when purchasing a portable generator is investing in a unit that is too small to meet their needs. Sizing your generator is one of the most critical steps in the purchase process, and you should rely on your dealer for assistance to ensure you get the perfect portable unit.
Together, you and your dealer can calculate the total electrical load of your home. This involves adding up the running wattage of any appliances and devices you may run simultaneously as well as the startup power requirements for any motors within your home (like your furnace or AC motor). Calculating your power needs will help you invest in a generator that is sized appropriately for your home.
2. Place your generator in the right location.
When determining where you will place your generator during installation, it's important that you carefully evaluate the safest spot for your new backup power source. You don't want the generator to be so far away that you have to run lengthy cords to the device in order to gain access to power during a disaster, but you don't want the generator so close to your home that it presents a fire or carbon monoxide risk.
Experts suggest that you install your portable generator at least 15 feet away from your home, but be sure to ask your dealer for information on any local ordinances or restrictions that could affect generator placement.
3. Conduct a trial run of your generator.
Once your generator has been installed, you want to ensure that it is working properly and that you know how to operate the unit. Scheduling a test run while your dealer is present can be a simple and effective way to work out any problems that may arise when trying to turn on your generator.
The dealer will be able to walk you through the trial run so that you know how to properly use your generator, and the dealer will be equipped to identify any subtle performance problems that need to be addressed before a disaster requires you to rely on the generator's power.
Once you are able to size a generator, place it in the right location, and successfully complete a test run, you will have access to a backup power source that will ensure your convenience and safety during a disaster. For more information, contact companies like Northwest Power Services Inc.
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