Hurricane season is here! Although technology has advanced and storms are far easier to predict than ever before, there is still a lot of spontaneity when it comes to tropical storms. It is important to prepare your home NOW in case a large storm develops. One of the ways many Floridians can prepare their home for the Atlantic hurricane season is by installing a whole-home generator on their property.

The affordability of portable generators may encourage residents to purchase them this storm season. Even using a portable to power an entire house carries a lot of risks. The positives of installing a whole-home generator far outweigh those of purchasing a portable one.

1. Dependability

When a powerful cyclone is heading towards your home, it can be incredibly stressful. If/when your power goes out, the last thing you want is for it not to come back on. You should be able to depend on a generator to keep your power on.

Most portable generators only run for 10-11 hours at 50% load capacity, as they’re meant to be used for mobile applications (think camping or tailgating). If an individual attempts to run more than the portable is able to, there is an increased risk of fire hazards, especially when using a portable generator purchased for under $1,000.

Not to mention, if a portable uses gasoline to run, the fuel may be difficult to find once the machine has used it all up. During natural disasters like hurricanes, gasoline is hard to find.

A whole-home generator’s run time depends on its fuel source. When it uses propane, it should last anywhere from 3-10 days (subject to tank size). If it uses natural gas, it can continuously run for days on end.

When you’re not sure what fuel source is best for your home, Precision Tech can help you figure that out and make sure everything is hooked up correctly. In addition, if you plan on using a portable generator during a power outage, there is no guarantee that it will turn on and run properly when you need it the most.

Overall, whether you are preparing for a tropical cyclone in the Gulf of Mexico or a category 5 hurricane, whole-home generators are far more dependable for backup power than their portable counterparts.

2. Convenience

In addition to a difference in dependability, portable generators are also much less convenient than whole-home generators. No one wants to be outside hooking up a heavy portable generator in the middle of strong hurricane winds.

Within 10 seconds of an outage, a Kohler whole-home generator will automatically reset your home’s electrical power. Not to mention, it will be able to power a lot more.

As previously stated, portable generators can only power a couple of things in your home at once. Your inside activities won’t stop with a whole-home generator. A portable generator will hardly be able to keep your refrigerator running, let alone your air conditioning system, washing machine, internet, and television all simultaneously.

A whole-home generator lets you relax and feel comfortable at home. You can’t beat this convenience factor.

3. Quality

When purchasing a generator, it is essential to research a generator’s quality. Portable generators are not meant to hold up during multiple storm seasons. Within 1-2 years, they can stop working entirely. Due to this, most portable generators do not come with a warranty. Even the higher-end portable generators that do come with one, only have a warranty that lasts around 1 year. Do you really want to trust a machine such as that to power your home during a hurricane?

Kohler standby generators possess tough composite enclosures, which means no rusting or corrosion. This is especially important in our coastal community of Manatee County. The weatherproof casing can withstand extremely high wind speeds, ideal for any Floridian caught in a hurricane situation.

With the power of a Kohler engine (one of the top engines on the market), the system can keep running without overheating. Additionally, each generator installed can register an industry-leading, 5-Year, 2,000-hour warranty. Lasting anywhere from 10-15 years. Whole-home generators are supposed to last multiple Hurricane Seasons.

4. Noise

Although a small detail, noise may be an important factor for some homeowners considering a generator purchase. Portable systems are known for being loud. Of course, this depends on their size.

The average portable can be around 67-75 decibels when running at 25%-50% load capacity. Similar to a vacuum cleaner. Portables should never be left alone as they can be a safety hazard (more on that later). Prolonged exposure to such a loud machine may be damaging.

Conversely, Kohler standby generators range from 54 decibels (a car idling in a driveway) to 65 decibels (a neighbor mowing their lawn). Standby systems are outside the home. Further allowing the noise to be a good distance away from any individual to harm their eardrums. If a property is in need of the generator running for multiple days, perhaps noise level is something to take into consideration.

5. Health and Safety

When it comes to your personal health, generator quality also matters. Many people tend to keep their portable generators running within their garage so that it is out of the rain and storm winds. Oftentimes with the garage door shut. This can be extremely dangerous as portable generators emit carbon monoxide as they run.

Carbon monoxide poisoning often doesn’t become apparent until the victim’s symptoms are severe. Even the slightest exposure may cause headaches, nausea, and fatigue.

As a rule of thumb, the cheaper the portable generator, the more carbon monoxide it may be releasing. Whole-home generators are installed on the outside of your home, preventing carbon monoxide to ever be a concern.

As previously mentioned, fire hazards increase when a portable generator is hooked up. Typically, engines have many wires attached to them.

With standby, professional, trained technicians install everything. This includes the fuel source, a power transfer switch, and the actual generator itself. If a storm hits your property, you will not have to worry about getting your power back on by struggling to turn on a portable generator.

A Kohler generator meets hurricane standards, as well. Our technicians will always use hurricane-rated pads and anchors to keep the system in place.

To Conclude

According to the National Hurricane Center, hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30. Although portable generators may be a good investment for some individuals, those wanting protection and reliability during hurricane season should stray away.

Portable generators are difficult to trust, they are not convenient during a storm and lack production quality. For ultimate dependability, look into installing a whole-home generator.

Start your hurricane season preparation today. Contact Precision Tech Home Services for an estimate or call at (732)-391-6401.