Power failures are no longer a series of occasional and brief occurrences. Power blackouts and other severe weather conditions can cause houses to be left without power for hours and even days. Once that occurs, normal life becomes stressful. This is one reason why whole-home generator installation is becoming a reliable option for many homeowners.
A whole home generator is an automatic source of power that would come on as soon as there is an outage. Nevertheless, installing one is a significant undertaking that involves planning, costs, and professional labor. In this article, we will explain the process of home generator installation so that homeowners can make an informed decision.
What Is a Whole Home Generator
A whole home generator is a permanently installed mechanism that is linked to the home’s electric panel. It can be fueled by natural gas or propane, and it kicks on automatically in the event of a loss of utility power.
Whole home generator installation involves professional wiring, installing an automatic transfer switch, and securing permits. It provides continuity of operation for critical systems such as lighting, refrigeration, and HVAC. After power has been supplied, the generator will go off, and power will run normally.
Why Professional Installation Matters
The installation of a full home generator is not a project to undertake on your own. It deals with electrical systems, fuel installation, and adherence to safety regulations. Professional installation guarantees the safety and reliability of the functioning of the system. It also helps to prevent expensive errors that might damage your home or generator.
Process of Whole Home Generator Installation
The first step in the installation is to determine the power requirements of your home. To identify the appropriate generator size, an expert calculates the area of the home, electricity consumption, and vital systems. Then there is permitting and site preparation. Home generators must be in accordance with local building codes and safety requirements.
1. Selecting the Correct Size of Generator
Generator size matters. Having a small unit is not enough to serve your home’s needs, and an oversized unit can be a waste of money. In-home generator installation, the appliances, heating, and cooling systems, and habits of use are calculated by professionals to determine load requirements. This guarantees equal performance and efficiency.
2. Choosing the Right Generator Type
There are two types of generators that homeowners consider. Standby generators are installed outdoors on a concrete pad and are directly connected to the home’s electric panel. Portable generators are affordable and versatile, but they require manual setup during an outage.
3. Fuel Options to Consider
The majority of home generators are powered by natural gas or propane. Natural gas is also convenient in case your house already has access to a gas line. The alternative to propane is suitable for homes that are not supplied with gas.
4. Costs and Long-Term Value
The installation costs of a home generator depend on the size of the generator, the type of fuel, and the complexity of the installation. The initial investment may be high, but the value of the long term is high. A full home generator will save your home, food waste, and provide comfort in times of power failure. It also increases the home resale and attractiveness.
