Winter is here and we are less than a week away until Christmas. In southeastern Pennsylvania, we had our first snow storm last week, dropping 7 inches of snow in some parts of our area. When snow, ice and wind greet us in Montgomery County and Berks County, Pennsylvania, homeowners in our area should prepare for power outages. Let’s go over some important supplies to have in your home when the lights go out, especially a generator that’s worth the money to keep your energy up year-round.
The basics for winter power outages
Backup power (portable or whole house generator) Gasoline for portable generators Propane for whole house generators (if you don’t have a natural gas line) Light bulbs Non-perishable food and water Batteries Warm clothing (think layers and blankets) Power banks for charging appliances Coolers and ice for preserving food Battery-powered radio
Power outage generators
As electricians, the most important item we recommend when the power goes out in the winter is a portable generator or whole house generator. Even though it’s the most expensive item on our essentials list, it’s still a no-brainer. It could take days or even weeks without power restored depending on how severe the outage was. Generators will give you backup power to preserve food, heat, cook, etc. during uncertainty, giving you the best peace of mind. As a homeowner, you have two options: a portable generator or a whole-house generator.
What is a portable generator?
Portable generators run on gasoline and provide you with backup power for a number of appliances in your home. The main difference between a portable generator and a whole house generator is that whole house generators can power your entire home, while a portable generator can only handle a certain number of items in the house (due to the power output). For example, when you have a portable generator, your electrician will install a transfer switch or interlock assembly with the generator input (to connect it). The portable generator will then turn on a few breakers in the main electrical panel. You can choose which breakers in your panel you want your portable generator to operate on, providing you with power for important home items like your refrigerator, some lighting, cooktops, etc.
What is a whole house generator?
A whole house generator is a source of backup power when your main power goes out. That simple. Once the utility line loses power due to storm damage, power surge, or other outage, your whole house generator will turn on automatically so you can have continuous power. These backup generators run on a natural gas or propane line as a fuel source to keep everything that needs electricity running (lights, heat, air conditioning, etc.). Unlike its counterpart (portable generator), a whole home generator can power everything in your home due to its large power output.
Who should I contact for generator installation?
A licensed and insured electrician can install any portable or entire home generator. Master electrician in KB Electric LLC are your preferred generator specialists. KB Electric is an authorized Generac dealer, specializing in sales, service and installation of Generac brand generators. We are fully licensed and insured to handle all types of generator installations including portable generators and whole home generators. Contact us today for our schedule! (267) 467-3178
