How long do you think the average American goes without power each year? According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the answer is just over eight hours . Unfortunately, New Jersey residents experience more than 15 hours annually, on average.
The unfortunate fact is that our electric grid is becoming less reliable, not more. Demand for grid electricity is increasing, and the infrastructure that delivers energy is not well-maintained. That can be an inconvenience for homes losing heat, hot water, air conditioning and the ability to keep food cool and communication devices charged. If you rely on at-home medical or mobility equipment, an outage can be incredibly dangerous.
That’s why, at JW Pierson Co., we recommend that our customers in Essex, Passaic and Bergen counties consider investing in a natural gas- or propane-powered standby generator.
A standby generator is a permanent generator that monitors power to your home and flips on automatically when it detects an electrical outage. Then, it provides power to your home during a blackout.
That depends on the generator you choose. Some families want to power their whole home, including all lights and outlets. Other families choose to supply power to a few essential items. Luckily, there is a standby generator for all levels. A JW Pierson technician can work with you to select the right product for your family’s needs.
Portable generators, also called backup generators, are not installed permanently and do not turn on automatically when the power goes out. You need to manually turn a portable generator on and leave it running outside, then run extension cords to power select appliances.
It’s also worth noting that most portable generators use gasoline. They run out of fuel after a while and must be refilled (as opposed to natural gas- or propane-powered standby generators, which have a continuous fuel supply). If an outage goes on too long — and gas stations in your area aren’t operating — you will be out of luck.
With a steady supply of natural gas or propane, a standby generator can run more or less continuously, as needed.
The National Fire Protection Association advises that generators be placed at least five feet from any exterior wall opening, like doors or windows. The generator needs 1.5 feet clearance from its backside and a three feet clearance on all other sides. Plus, you need to keep the generator five feet from any flammable materials like wood or vinyl siding.
Your JW Pierson partner can help find the best location on your property for your standby generator.
Provided your generator receives proper upkeep and maintenance, it can last for 20 years or even longer. How’s that for long-term security?
Experience maximum confidence in your home’s power supply with a Honeywell standby generator installed by JW Pierson Co. Contact us today for a free consultation.