Standby generator installation Milton ON
If you’ve asked yourself “should I get a portable or standby generator?”, there are some things you need to think about before answering this question. In Canada, when we’re dealing with a variety of natural disasters, bad snowstorms or even overheated temperatures, the electrical grid may not be able to handle the overload and power is lost as a consequence. Thinking not only about how often or likely a power outage would occur in your area, you need to ask what would happen if a single outage would occur. How would your life or business be affected with just a few hours of no electricity? In many businesses, it would mean thousands of dollars of lost revenue. So as expensive as it might be to front the cost of a whole-house generator, as some people call it, think about the natural consequences of an outage, how that would affect income, and if purchasing a standby generator would be a worthwhile investment.
After you’ve made your decision to purchase the generator, either powered by natural gas or liquid propane, your next question may be “what size generator should I get for my house or business?” Don’t just blindly choose the largest unit available, as that’s certainly not the most cost-efficient. A better option would be to consider a partial-home generator where the unit is connected to the most important electrical circuits, for example your water heater, furnace, and key appliances and light fixtures. |
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The generator size is not only calculated by the amount of electrical appliances in your building. It is also determined by the complexity of the electrical circuits. This is where a qualified electrician can guide you properly to determine the right kilowatts (kW) of power. A licensed electrician can survey your home for anticipated electrical loads and recommend the right size generator. Here’s another way a qualified electrician can provide guidance: each generator must also be matched to an automatic transfer switch (ATS), which acts as the director of the standby-power system and tells the generator when to kick on and turn off. Generally, if the generator is connected to a 200-amp breaker panel, then you would need a 200-amp ATS.
Another question you might have is “where do you put a generator during a storm?” In regards to a portable generator, the rule of thumb is to place it at least 15 feet away from your home and point the exhaust away from your house. What about “how loud is a portable generator?” or “how loud is a whole house generator?” For both types, you’re looking at mainly 65 to 100 db, which can be pretty loud. However, keep in mind, it is not usually something that runs for days on end. It’s a once in a while occurrence produce some annoying noise pollution. Still, check to see what your local noise bylaws are, and if it’s a possible concern, there are some lower decibal standby generators on the market.
No matter what you decide to purchase, whether it’s a whole house generator, a partial house generator or even a portable generator, it is a good idea to consult with a licensed electrical contractor for guidance. Then, when your home or business loses power, you can sleep easy knowing your life and business can continue as usual.
Another question you might have is “where do you put a generator during a storm?” In regards to a portable generator, the rule of thumb is to place it at least 15 feet away from your home and point the exhaust away from your house. What about “how loud is a portable generator?” or “how loud is a whole house generator?” For both types, you’re looking at mainly 65 to 100 db, which can be pretty loud. However, keep in mind, it is not usually something that runs for days on end. It’s a once in a while occurrence produce some annoying noise pollution. Still, check to see what your local noise bylaws are, and if it’s a possible concern, there are some lower decibal standby generators on the market.
No matter what you decide to purchase, whether it’s a whole house generator, a partial house generator or even a portable generator, it is a good idea to consult with a licensed electrical contractor for guidance. Then, when your home or business loses power, you can sleep easy knowing your life and business can continue as usual.
