In this article…
- What Are The Benefits Of A Generator? 5 Pros
- Are There Any Potential Drawbacks To Getting A Generator? 3 Cons
- Should I Invest In A Generator? Protecting Your Home This Winter
🎶 The weather outside is frightful…Losing power in a storm is NOT delightful! 🎶
When it’s the dead of winter, snow is falling and the wind chill brings the temperature nearly 20 degrees lower, the last thing you want is to find yourself without power or heat.
One of the most beneficial, reliable ways to ensure your family and your home are protected this winter is by investing in a home backup power generator.
A generator is a backup power source that automatically provides your home with reliable electricity during severe weather and power outages. It is an essential piece of equipment for many homeowners and business owners, especially in regions with intense weather and frequent storms.
Maybe you’ve gotten by each winter with short power outages in your area or survived by using your fireplace to keep warm, feeling as though you aren’t sure whether you need a generator or not.
Because installing a generator is a sizable investment, you want to know if it will truly benefit you and what it can provide before the next storm hits.
At DEETS, we understand the frustration of constant power outages when a snowstorm blows through because we’re homeowners too.
We’ve been the comfort specialists for Northwestern Pennsylvania homeowners and business owners since 2001, and we’re here to provide you with all the information you need to make the best decision for your home and its future.
If you’re on the fence about whether you should invest in a generator, you want to know the ins and outs, pros and cons, and costs of installing one for your home or business.
This article will outline five benefits of investing in a generator along with some of the potential drawbacks and next steps to protecting your home and your family this winter.
What Are The Benefits Of A Generator? 5 Pros
Before making any large purchase for a home appliance, you want to know how it will benefit you and if it is worth it.
There are so many benefits of having a reliable power source for your home when outages occur, some of which you may not have even thought of.
Let’s dive into some of the top benefits of a generator, from keeping your essential appliances running to the peace of mind of knowing you won’t be vulnerable to winter storms.
1. Emergency Power Supply
The biggest benefit of having a generator is that you have an emergency power supply in case of an outage. Whether you need power to run your furnace, use the stove, or just simply turn the lights on, a generator will allow you to do that.
For business owners, generators are essential to staying open and keeping the business running during electrical outages.
Having a backup generator in case of emergency ensures you can continue your day-to-day life without having to worry about when the power will come back on.
2. Continuous Safety and Comfort
Having a generator provides you with the peace of mind that you not only won’t have to worry about potential power outages but that you can also maintain your comfort and safety during heavy storms.
You can continue to stay warm, cook your favorite meals, and go about your life without major interruptions.
Additionally, if you or a family member relies on electrical medical equipment, a generator is essential.
Electrically powered hospital beds, scooters, CPAP machines, and oxygen concentrators are just a few medical devices that require power to run. It’s crucial that any medical equipment continues to run even through power outages for the safety and health of you and your family.
You must also consider if you have any medications that need to be kept at a certain temperature, meaning the temperature of your home and refrigerator must be maintained for necessary medications.
3. Prevention of Food Spoilage
One of the most aggravating effects of a power outage is when you’re watching the clock, waiting for the power to come back on before you have to throw out your entire refrigerator and freezer.
A generator will ensure your refrigerators and freezers will continue to run and remain at the optimal temperature so you don’t have to waste food and money throwing spoiled groceries away.
4. Increased Home Value
Installing a generator in your home can help increase your home’s resale value and make your home more appealing to future buyers, especially for homes in colder regions.
Even if you plan to stay in your home for the next several years or more, having a generator already installed may be a selling point for the next homeowner, upping your home’s value and providing you with a greater return on your investment.
5. Confidence In Your Home
Overall, the biggest benefit of installing a generator is the ability to have electricity and power in case of emergency.
If protecting you, your family, and your home’s comfort and safety during winter storms and power outages, then investing in a generator will be worth it for you.
Are There Any Potential Drawbacks To Getting A Generator? 3 Cons
Like with any new investment, installing a generator throughout your home also has its potential drawbacks, like the cost, installation requirements, and more.
Understanding some of these negatives is important to have a full picture of what to expect when investing in a generator and avoid feeling blindsided or caught off guard.
Here are three cons that come with investing in a generator.
1. Upfront Cost and Installation Requirements
The cost of any home addition is always a drawback, which can deter many homeowners from investing in a generator.
Installing a generator can cost anywhere from $3,000 – $15,000 depending on the type of generator, power capacity, labor, installation, and warranty.
A generator also requires ongoing costs, including electrical hookups, pad laying (if required), fuel replenishment, municipal inspection and compliance, and maintenance.
We understand this is no small cost and may sway you to tough out another winter without a generator. It’s important to remember the overall benefits of a generator and that most home service companies have payment options to make your project more affordable and comfortable.
Learn more about DEETS Mechanical’s financing options!
2. Generator Maintenance
Another potential con of installing a generator in your home is the continuous maintenance required. Year over year, you’ll be responsible for maintaining a new appliance in your home, especially before winter and heavy storms arrive.
Generator maintenance typically includes checking oil levels, replacing filters, and running the generator every once in a while to ensure it’s ready for use.
While this isn’t a ~huge~ negative, it is something to keep in mind so you know what is expected to maintain your generator.
3. Fuel Consumption
The final common drawback of buying a generator is the overall use of fuel and more energy throughout your home. Most generators run on gasoline, diesel, propane, or natural gas, which require storage and refills.
Running a generator produces carbon monoxide (CO) and other harmful emissions. Without proper ventilation, carbon monoxide can be deadly, posing health risks.
Maintaining your generator’s fuel levels is another task to stay on top of, whether you top off the fuel yourself every so often or have a company that services your generator for you, which is an added cost.
The combination of fuel emissions and added energy consumption can be a large or small negative, depending on your preferences.
Should I Invest In A Generator? Protecting Your Home This Winter
Now that you know the top five benefits of investing in a generator for your home along with some potential drawbacks, you have a robust understanding of what a generator provides for your home and can have realistic expectations for your new generator.
Installing a generator before winter storms hit is extremely beneficial for any homeowners who experience severe snow, wind, and rain storms.
A generator allows you to have a power supply in case of emergency, continuous comfort and safety, power for medical equipment, prevention of food spoiling, and an increased home value.
However, before deciding to purchase a new generator, it’s important you are also aware of the potential drawbacks of a generator, including the cost of installation and equipment, yearly maintenance, and fuel and energy consumption.
Even if you have gotten by without a generator for several years, adding one to your home will give you the peace of mind that you’ll be with electricity in times of an emergency power outage, keeping you and your family comfortable and safe.
At DEETS, we’re here to help educate you with all the information you need to make a smart and informed investment decision, find the right home service company for you, and protect your home during the harshest times of need.
From winterizing your plumbing and maintaining your HVAC system to ensuring your generator is up-to-date for the season, we’re here to help.
Are you ready to add a generator to your home or need a tune-up before it gets too cold? Schedule your appointment with DEETS today!
