Anyone in the Caribbean, the east coast of the United States, or the Ring of Fire will tell you just how vital a standby generator can be. Any number of events can cause power outages to your home or business, jeopardizing the safety and well-being of your loved ones, colleagues, and your possessions. In today’s day and age of torrential storms and widespread power outages, having a standby generator is more important than ever.
Power Outages on the Rise
Weather and earthquakes are the two most prevalent causes of major power outages in America. We’ve all heard about the destruction caused by the Oklahoma tornadoes, and major media networks have been adept at covering the growing number of major storms that have been sweeping the nation. Whether it is a tsunami, blizzard, hurricane or flood, we’ve had more than our fair share of natural disasters, and they aren’t likely to end anytime soon.
It has become mainstream knowledge that global weather patterns are shifting, causing damage to power supplies and buildings. This, coupled with the increased global population, is straining our energy infrastructures, leading to widespread power outages around the globe. Rather than find yourself without power when the time comes, purchase a standby generator so you and your family can continue to keep the lights on, even when Mother Nature does her worst.
Why Every Homeowner Needs a Standby Generator
In the event of a minor, short-term power outage, a standby generator can ensure that life can continue as normal until the power turns back on. If power were to be out for more than a few days, it would become difficult to feed and care for your family, especially if you have young children or elderly living with you who have certain temperature needs.
If you experience a major power outage caused by a serious natural disaster, the damage is typically severe and leaves people without power for days, if not weeks, on end. During a wet disaster, such as a tsunami or hurricane, flooding could pose a legitimate problem. If you owned a standby generator and your home was flooding, you could run your generator to power a sump pump which would remove the flood water from your home. With the generator aiding your sump pump, you could save yourself and your family thousands of dollars in repairs. In the event of dry disasters – tornadoes, earthquakes and the like – a standby generator is essential, as it can be used for cooking, cooling, your communication devices, or even power medical equipment.
The Importance of Standby Generators for Businesses
Businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy and are responsible for providing food and housing for millions of families. Needless to say, businesses need the added protection a standby generator offers. If a business suffers from frequent power outages, a standby generator could save thousands of dollars in wasted labor costs from salaried employees waiting for power to come back on. When your business loses power, the generator will immediately power on, allowing your business to operate as usual. If a natural disaster occurs and power is knocked out for a days, the generator can be used to protect your office equipment from a power surge, and can also be connected to sump pump to protect your office valuables from flooding.
All in all, having a standby generator is akin to insurance. Hopefully, you’ll never have to use your generator, but it’s essential to have that security blanket in case you ever experience a prolonged power outage. When the well-being of your family and business are in jeopardy, don’t tempt fate. You simply cannot afford to be unprepared for the unexpected.
Rachael Jones is a blogger for DIYMother, where women aren’t afraid to use power tools in a dress.