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6 Facts You Should Know Before Generator Installation

Generator installation is absolutely essential if you want to ensure a steady flow of electrical power in your home. However, you need to make sure the installation process goes smoothly, or else it may cost you serious money going forward. Many homeowners think generator installation is just a matter of calling up your local electrician, but it’s so much more than that. If you’re not careful, you may wind up buying the wrong system for your home and instead pay more on electricity bills. Installing an improper system, can also lead to more stress and put the well-being of your family at risk, especially when a generator risks leaking smoke and carbon monoxide emissions. The generator may also be improperly sized, resulting in poor efficiency and frequent system breakdowns. Worst of all, you will lose power to some of your most essential appliances including computers, refrigerators, and air conditioning systems. All of this adds up to one stressful household, but it can be avoided if you take the installation of a generator into consideration before you throw money down on a new system.

How Can Reliable Power Systems Help You?

Reliable Power Systems will make sure you land the right generator for your home, thanks to our helpful team of electricians. With so many generators on the market to choose from, you may feel a little lost on what system would be right for you. Our team of electricians have years of experience installing standby generators on all sorts of residential properties. They can even provide top-name brands like Generac, GE, and Kohler. Even better, we know exactly what it takes to ensure generator installation is conducted safely. Not only will you have a generator that will provide your home with a steady flow of power, we can also ensure you have a generator keeping your well-being safe, effectively reducing the risk of home electrical fires and exposure to harmful gasses. When it comes to making sure customers are living comfortably in their home, we will always go the extra mile to keep you satisfied.

What Should You Know Before You Install?

Before you go ahead install that generator, here are 6 facts that you need to remember to ensure you enjoy safe yet efficient power in your home:

Install the Generator Outside: You absolutely should not, under any circumstance, use your generator indoors. Generators already have a higher risk of leaking smoke and carbon monoxide when they malfunction, and these hazards can spread quite quickly indoors. Instead, you need to install the generator outside your home, and at a safe distance away. A generator should be installed at least 20 feet away from the house so even if it malfunctions, it will not be putting anyone’s well-being at risk.
Avoid Fire Hazards: As we have already mentioned, you should be careful in avoiding safety hazards like home electrical fires. There are several prevention methods. For example, if you need to store fuel for your generator, please store it in non-glass safety containers. You should also store it away from other fuel-burning appliances like natural gas water heaters, or else it may result in a major fire.
Invest in a Carbon Monoxide Alarm: You should also take steps in avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning in the event your generator malfunctions. One of the most effective ways you can do so is installing a carbon monoxide alarm which, if by chance the gas seeps into your home, will alert you of a problem immediately. If you have already installed one, please consider performing a test to ensure its batteries do not need to be changed.
Allow 3 Feet of Clearance: A standby generator can emit heat and exhaust gases that can cause serious burns or ignite combustible objects. To prevent serious burns or injury, please stay at least 3 feet away from the generator when it is running. You should also give your generator 30 minutes of “cool down” time after usage to prevent overheating.
Be Careful of Worn or Frayed Extension Cords: The extension cords for your generator need to be up to date. If they appear significantly damaged, you need to consider calling an electrician for further inspection. If your extension cords are currently damaged in any way, this will both prevent smooth operation and present a threat to your safety. It may require you to get new extension cords or electrical rewiring before you install.
Call Reliable Power Systems for Annual Maintenance: You should call Reliable Power Systems for generator maintenance at least once a year. Though your generator may not experience issues any time soon, you should still have our electrician take a look to determine if there are any smaller problems looming on the horizon. We can then make any necessary repairs to save you money on future bills.