In this issue of "Doug Talks..."
5 Reasons you May Need a Home Generator
Portable Power
Portable generators provide power to tools and appliances when you need supplemental electricity and not connected to the power grid. They run on gasoline, diesel, or propane and typically include two electrical outlets. Because their combustion engines emit fumes, portable generators should be kept outdoors during operation, although extension cords can be used to carry the power indoors.
If your fridge is fully stocked, you could lose hundreds of dollars in refrigerated and frozen items if the power stays out more than a few hours. In cold temperatures, a generator can keep your home heated and in warmer temperatures can keep your air conditioning going, as well as hot water heaters and other needed appliances and home systems. Generators are important safety equipment during natural disasters such as hurricanes and snowstorms, or during any power outage.
Electric Car
While a power outage keeps most people in the dark, it can completely strand electric car owners. If you depend on an electric car, having a portable generator will ensure that you can drive to work, go to the grocery store, pick up the babysitter, rush to the emergency room, or travel wherever else you need to go, even during an extended blackout.
Your House uses Well Water
Municipal water systems are pressurized, so water will come out of the faucet whether or not there’s a power outage. Not so for rural dwellers who depend on electric pumps to pump the water out of their wells and into their homes. But if you have a portable generator, you can plug the well pump into it and keep the water flowing during a power outage.
You have a Home Business or Work from Home
When you run a home business or work from home, a simple power outage could mean a complete work shutdown—unless you have a generator. With the growing gig economy, millions of Americans work from home. It's essential for them to have a portable generator on hand to keep the Wi-Fi, PC, printers, and internet running, even in the middle of a widespread power outage.
You rely on an Electrical Medical Device
If you or a family member is dependent on a medical device, such as a heart monitor, an oxygen tank, or a rechargeable power chair, advance planning is vital. When a life is on the line, it's especially important to be prepared. You not only need a portable generator, but you also must have extension cords and the fuel for your generator so you can switch to your alternate power source at a moment’s notice.
