According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, American families recently experienced the most prolonged annual power interruptions on record. And New Jersey had the 8th longest outage time in the country!
Electric grid blackouts can severely affect our customers in Morris, Somerset, Union, and Sussex Counties. In the heat of summer or the dead of winter, houses can go from uncomfortable to unsafe. You might rely on electricity for physical mobility or refrigeration of vital medication.
In these circumstances, a whole-house generator ensures you can maintain power in your home even when the electric grid fails. Here are some things to consider when choosing a whole-house generator.
First, you need to figure out what kind of voltage your home uses. You calculate this using your home’s size and the number of appliances you need to power. You can use an online calculator or contact the generator installation pros at Dixon Energy, and we can help you with the calculations.
As a general rule, you should add 20 percent to your voltage calculation. This will account for any appliances or systems that need to recharge fully once the generator comes on.
Finally, when considering your home’s wattage needs, think about the most essential equipment you need power for. It’s also a good idea to determine how much of your home you need to be powered by the generator. A load management system can limit how many rooms and appliances are accessing the generator.
Choosing the right generator is only one part of the equation. You must also choose the proper transfer switch and connect it to your control panel. When the grid goes out, a transfer switch moves your home’s electric current to generator power. Sometimes, you may need to install a sub-panel to direct generator power to only certain rooms, systems or appliances.
We strongly recommend that our customers choose a generator that uses propane. We’ve found that these products have significant benefits over natural gas and gasoline generators, especially when it comes to having reliable and efficient power:
| Propane generators | An onsite propane tank offers a clean-burning, energy-efficient fuel source. Propane has a virtually unlimited shelf life. |
| Natural gas generators | You’ll need a connection to a natural gas utility, which can be interrupted by line issues. Natural gas is less efficient than propane and primarily composed of methane, a greenhouse gas. |
| Gasoline generators | Gasoline has a shelf life of only three to six months, and you might not be able to access a gas pump during a grid outage. |
At Dixon Energy, we have an experienced team that can handle any generator maintenance or installation project. Our Honeywell whole-house generators are industry-leading power sources to keep your lights, fridge, sump pump and other crucial equipment running when the grid fails.
Interested in a free consultation? Get in touch with us today.