Key takeaways:
- In Georgia, tornadoes and other severe weather events can take out the power grid.
- Staying in the dark for days or relying on a portable generator aren’t good options.
- Instead, you should look into upgrading your home with a backup generator.
Did you know Georgia averages 6 days a year with tornadoes? These severe weather events can cause massive damage, like during the 2020 tornado outbreak.
Even if they’re not directly passing through your neighborhood, tornadoes can wreak havoc on the power grid and leave you in the dark, sometimes for days at a time.
A great way to prepare for severe weather is to explore backup power solutions.
Why You Need a Standby Generator in Atlanta
A tornado taking out the local power grid could leave you without crucial things:
- You couldn’t heat or cool your home depending on the season.
- Storing and preparing food would also be an issue since you couldn’t use your fridge or kitchen appliances.
- With most modern water heaters using electric ignition, you would also likely find yourself without hot water.
- Being able to charge your phone to access important updates or check up on relatives would also be an issue.
- If you need medical equipment like a CPAP machine or an infusion pump, a power outage could quickly turn into a medical emergency.
You may have a portable generator that runs on diesel. It’s a good way to keep your phone charged and power a couple of small appliances, but these generators are only useful as long as you have enough fuel for them. And if a tornado passes through, you might not be able to access a nearby gas station to get more fuel.
Reliable Backup Power for Your Atlanta Home: Whole-Home Generators
Whole-home generators are a much more reliable backup power source. Here’s how they work:
- A whole-home generator is a fairly large unit that gets installed on your property.
- It gets fuel via a natural gas line connected to it or from a propane tank (that you install or that already exists). This gives you access to much more fuel than a portable generator.
- Your backup generator is then wired to your home’s electrical panel. It sends power directly to your home via the panel, rather than through outlets and extension cords. It means it can power appliances you can’t plug in, like your AC or furnace.
- Home generators use a transfer switch. It’s an important device that prevents the generator from sending power back into the grid (which is extremely dangerous for utility workers), but it also gives you the possibility to have your generator come online automatically when the transfer switch detects an outage.
In short, a whole-home generator can power your home for days at a time. Depending on its capacity, it can generate enough power for a few essential appliances or power almost all your systems. It’s a lot more reliable than a portable generator, and you won’t have to worry about carbon monoxide buildup since it uses propane or natural gas.
What Is the Generator Installation Process Like?
Whole-home generators have to follow a few installation requirements outlined in the City of Atlanta’s building code and in the National Electrical Code.
There are rules to follow, such as installing a transfer switch or placing the generator at least 5 feet away from any openings in your home. You need to hire a licensed installer to make sure your generator is properly installed.
A licensed installer will also obtain all necessary permits from the City of Atlanta and coordinate testing and inspections before getting your system online.
The entire process shouldn’t take more than a few days. Your installer can advise you on which generator to choose and even recommend electrical upgrades to improve energy efficiency in your home and give you more control over which circuits the generator would power during an emergency.
Let’s Talk About Whole-Home Generator Installation
Are you interested in backup power solutions? Kalahari Electrical Services can upgrade your Atlanta home or business with a generator installation.
We’ll start by conducting a load calculation to figure out how much energy you need to generate during an emergency. Next, we’ll recommend the right generator for your needs and plan the installation process. You can also count on us to get the right permits and plan a code-compliant installation.
Give us a call at 678-665-2309 to learn more about our generator installation services.
FAQ
Why should I invest in a whole-home generator in Georgia?
Georgia experiences severe weather, including tornadoes, that can damage power lines and cause days-long outages. A whole-home generator ensures your appliances, HVAC system, and essential devices keep running even when the grid goes down.
Georgia experiences severe weather, including tornadoes, that can damage power lines and cause days-long outages. A whole-home generator ensures your appliances, HVAC system, and essential devices keep running even when the grid goes down.
How is a whole-home generator different from a portable generator?
Portable generators rely on gasoline or diesel and can only power a few small devices. Whole-home generators, on the other hand, are permanently installed, run on natural gas or propane, and automatically power your electrical panel during outages without extension cords or manual startup.
Portable generators rely on gasoline or diesel and can only power a few small devices. Whole-home generators, on the other hand, are permanently installed, run on natural gas or propane, and automatically power your electrical panel during outages without extension cords or manual startup.
How long can a whole-home generator power my house?
It depends on your generator’s size and fuel source. With a steady natural gas supply or a full propane tank, a properly sized home generator can power your home for several days or even weeks without interruption.
It depends on your generator’s size and fuel source. With a steady natural gas supply or a full propane tank, a properly sized home generator can power your home for several days or even weeks without interruption.
