Texas homeowners understand all too well how it feels to lose power in their homes. It’s during those times you probably wished you had a backup generator for your Houston home. The Bayou City is no stranger to power outages, particularly during hurricanes. You understand the relief that you feel when the power comes back on.

 

Most of us take electricity for granted. It literally powers every facet of our lives. The truth is that we rely on electricity for nearly everything. A backup power generator is an ultimate tool in keeping your family comfortable and safe when a storm or equipment failure has knocked out electricity in your home.

Power Outages: There’s More To it Than You Think

Texans are accustomed to extreme weather. So, it’s understandable when a power outage does occur, the natural inclination is to blame it on the weather. While bad weather does account for the majority of outages, there are other factors in why a power outage may occur:

 

• Trees and vegetation: Weather can, directly and indirectly, cause fallen trees. Often, damage accumulates over time, and trees can fall on electrical poles and power lines at any time.
• Animals: You’ve probably witnessed more than once how birds and squirrels like to use power lines as a playground or a place to rest. These animals can damage power equipment, and it can lead to a power outage.
• Accidents: Whether it’s a car accident or a construction accident, both have the potential to damage power poles, electrical lines, or other electrical equipment.
• Equipment failure: Most electrical power companies would not want to admit it. But, the truth is that the infrastructure is aged, and power grids and electrical equipment are stressed.
• Blackouts: These tend to occur when the region as a whole is using more power. This often happens during the summer on a sweltering day when everyone runs their a/c at maximum capacity to keep cool.
• Infrastructure maintenance: At times, the electrical companies must switch off power to maintain the equipment.

Whatever the reason, electrical failures are never fun. At a minimum, you’re likely to feel less safe without power in your home. If the weather is too hot or too cold out, you’re also likely to be very uncomfortable without electricity.

 

During more extended outages, you could also lose all of the food in your refrigerator and freezer. An emergency power generator can ease the burden when the power goes out.

What Can a Backup Power Generator Do?

If the power goes out and you have a backup generator, you’ll have an alternate power source. While many homeowners are familiar with a generator that powers part of their home, the newer generators that can power your entire home are optimal.

 

The beauty of a whole house generator is that these are designed to automatically come on when the power goes out. These generators power on within a half-minute of an outage.

 

So, even if you aren’t home, a backup generator will detect the outage and come on without you having to do anything. Likewise, a backup power generator is designed to turn off when the power comes back on.

 

Look at these advantages of a backup power generator:

 

• Let’s say you’re on vacation, and a prolonged outage happens. No need to worry if you have a backup power generator. This can help keep your home more secure.
• If the power outage happens during a summer storm, your home will stay cool and comfortable.
• If the outage happens during an excessively cold freeze, a generator can help prevent your pipes from bursting by keeping warmth in your home.
• If the power goes out, your appliances will stay on with a backup generator. This will prevent the loss of food.
• If your home has a power outage, you’ll be able to continue charging and using your electronic devices.
• A backup power generator pays for itself in the long run. You can avoid having to replace appliances and electrical items damaged by power surges. You won’t have to replace food if your appliances don’t have electricity. And, if you have a security system for your home, it’ll stay on and offer continued security to you and your loved ones.

The generator resembles an outdoor air conditioning system and is installed outside. The system is connected to the gas line of your home so that it can power your home indefinitely.

 

While entire-home generators are usually geared towards powering the entire house, you have the option of having the system customized to your needs. You can choose to power smaller portions of your home, such as electronics and appliances.

 

A backup generator can give you the peace of mind that your home is always protected in the event of an outage.

What’s the Best Size Backup Generator to Get?

This is a question best answered by an experienced professional. Backup generators come in different sizes. The natural inclination will be to choose the largest generator available. But, the size of your home will factor into making the best decision for your needs.

 

Other factors can come into play as well. An experienced electrician can help you make the best choice about which size backup power generator can best benefit you and your home.

The Takeaway

An electrical expert is your best bet for helping you determine your best backup power generator options.

 

At Illuminations Lighting Design, we offer a free consultation so that we can make our best recommendations for your needs.

 

Our Houston-based company is unrivaled in what we do, both here in Texas and all over the U.S. Contact our electrical experts at Illumination Lighting Design. We look forward to hearing from you. Call us at 713-863-1133 to get your professionally-installed whole-house generator before the next power outage occurs.