Living in areas that are prone to outages and grid issues during storm season requires proper backup power planning. The advantages of a whole home generator make it ideal for homeowners in places like South Florida where storm season can get serious. In this guide, we’ll share how whole home generators work, their benefits, what they can power, and next steps for homeowners.
Use our cost calculator to estimate how much a whole home generator will cost for your needs.
Schedule NowWhat is a Whole Home (Standby) Generator?
A whole home generator is a permanently installed standby system designed to provide backup power to an entire house. It’s different from portable generators that are manually operated, mobile, and only able to power select essential appliances.
Whole house generators are ideal for those who want reliable and automatic backup power during outages. They generally have enough power to keep essential and non-essential loads running. It’s important to understand your power needs when choosing a whole home vs. backup generator.
How Does a Whole House Generator Work?
Whole home or standby generators are permanently installed next to your home and directly connected to your electrical panel.
Here’s how whole home generators work:
- An outage occurs: During a storm or utility interruption, grid power is lost.
- Power loss is detected: The automatic transfer switch (ATS) detects the power loss and starts the generator.
- ATS transfers loads: Once the generator is up and running, the ATS will transfer essential circuits or the whole electrical panel to the generator for backup power.
- Utility power is restored: Eventually, the power grid is restored.
- ATS switches load back to utility: Once grid power is safely restored, the transfer switch will switch back to using utility power and the generator will shut down.
Key Advantages of a Whole Home Generator
There are many advantages of whole home generators to consider when deciding whether you need one for your home. These benefits of a standby generator include:
- Automatic backup power: A top benefit of a generator is the reliable and automatic backup power it provides. Your generator will automatically kick on and transfer loads using the automatic transfer switch.
- Home comfort continuity: With a whole home generator, you can maintain home comfort by keeping the HVAC system running even during storms.
- Prevents food spoilage: Whole home generators also keep your refrigerator and freezer running, so you don’t have to worry about food becoming unsafe to eat during a power outage.
- Supports medical devices: Another advantage of whole house generator backup power is that you can run critical medical devices, like CPAP machines or oxygen concentrators.
- Keeps Wi-Fi and security systems running: If you work from home or run your own business, Wi-Fi access is crucial. Additionally, you can keep your family safe with uninterrupted security system operation.
- Peace of mind during hurricane season: Lastly, having a standby generator gives you peace of mind that you’ll stay safe and comfortable during storm season. Protect your family with reliable backup power.
What Can a Whole Home Generator Power?
A whole home generator is designed to power critical loads and essential circuits for your whole home. It may also be able to power other nice-to-haves during an outage but depends on generator sizing and load planning.
Here’s an example list of commonly powered appliances and systems:
- HVAC system
- Refrigerator/freezer
- Lights
- Outlets
- Medical devices
- Wi-Fi and security systems
Generator sizing and load planning are critical to being able to power what you want.
Cost, Installation, and Permits (What to Expect)
The total cost of a whole home generator will depend on sizing, fuel type, electrical work, and permitting. A generator technician can complete a site assessment to determine the right setup for your home.
The size of your generator will influence the cost. Medium-size homes may use a smaller whole home generator than expansive estates with higher power demands. Also, the fuel type you run the generator on will impact the operating cost. Typically, whole home generators use natural gas or propane as fuel.
Getting the automatic transfer switch installed will require electrical work and impact the overall cost of buying a generator. Professional installation is required for whole home generators along with proper permitting.
For professional generator installation, contact Reliable Power Systems today!
Maintenance and Ownership: Keeping Your Standby System Ready
When buying a whole home generator, you should understand the required maintenance. Basic ownership expectations include periodic service, annual professional inspections, exercise cycles (self-testing), and readiness checks.
The light upkeep tasks ensure your generator is ready to go when you need it. You can save thousands with generator maintenance to avoid costly repairs. Contact us today to book professional generator maintenance to keep your system reliable when outages hit.
If You Already Have a Generator: When to Repair vs. Replace
How do you know when to repair vs. replace your generator? You may be experiencing common reliability symptoms, such as not starting, repeatedly shutting off, or providing inconsistent power.
In general, generator repair is sufficient if:
- Your generator is new and under warranty
- The problem is isolated and diagnosable
- Repair costs are low compared to overall system value
- The engine hours are still low
- Parts are readily available
You may consider replacing your generator if:
- It’s nearing its generator life expectancy
- Repairs are becoming frequent
- Repair costs are high
- It no longer meets your power needs
- Parts are discontinued or hard to find
Reliable Power Systems is South Florida’s premier generator installer. We offer generator installation, repair, and maintenance services so you can stay prepared for storm season. Call us today at 561-408-5147 for assistance.
