By Craig MacDonald
There was a time automatic standby generators for your home or small business were considered an extravagant purchase.
Homeowners and small business owners found it tough to justify such a purchase.
They may also have been using a Rolodex, “selectric” typewriter and even dabbled in a desk-top computer with the most modern DOS operating system available at the time. Some phones may have still worked when the power went out. The wait for the overdue FAX was inconvenient, but there were many manual tasks to be taken care of while waiting.
Enough light seemed to come in from the windows to keep all the manual tasks moving along in the office. At home, there may have been flashlights, candles and canned food to open an heat.
We’ve come a long way.
Full home, office and business computerization, the internet, WiFi, modems, routers, servers, work stations, printers, Google, YouTube, email, and multi-purpose machines all requiring nearly uninterrupted power.
A power failure that used to be “inconvenient” now costs stress, time and, perhaps as importantly, money.
Homeowners are looking for everything to operate during a power failure: heat, lights, digital items, sump pumps, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning etc. Even the garage doors. When an office needs to close, important business is not conducted. Add the delay of a power failure for just one day and chaos reigns. When a restaurant needs to close, the lost receipts can cripple the operation for weeks or months.
A modern automatic standby generator is surprisingly affordable. The clean power produced even allows the operation of sensitive electric equipment. Your home, office or restaurant can continue to fully operate, according to the size of the standby generator you select.
Perhaps you only need to power “essential” circuits and appliances/equipment. There is a way to take care of that need as well.
A standby generator is a permanent piece of equipment that is installed by professionals outside your home. The standby generator automatically turns on within seconds of a power outage.
They must be installed by professionals who understand local codes, permitting processes and installation know how. So, it is important not to wait for that rainy day to make your decision. In other words, the best time to buy a standby generator is when you don’t need it.