Electrical services in Kirkland, WA

You likely feel inconvenienced when the power goes out in your Kirkland, WA, home. You won’t be able to cook on the stove or oven, watch TV, power your appliances, or take a hot shower. If you or someone in your home has a health condition that requires the use of medical equipment, it can be life-threatening. Backup generators are available as an option to ensure the power stays on. Let’s consider if this investment is worth your time and money.

What Is a Backup Generator?

Before we look at the benefits of a backup generator, let’s consider what this equipment does. There are two main types of generators. The first is a standby generator, a permanent installation outside your home. Portable generators are mobile, so you can store them when unused. The most practical use for powering your entire home during a power failure is a standby generator. Installed by a professional, a backup generator is wired into your house’s electrical panel. When the power goes out, the generator will automatically turn on. Depending on the setup you have, you may need to flip a switch to get your backup power going. There are also fuel-powered backup generators.

Benefits of a Backup Generator

In addition to the obvious convenience of not losing the ability to power things in your home when the primary power source goes out, there are other benefits as well.

Increasing the Value of Your Home

If you plan on selling your home at any point, potential buyers will take great interest in the fact that you have a backup generator. While this isn’t usually necessary for most people, it’s very convenient. The overall value of your home will be higher once you’ve made this investment. If you live in an area that experiences a lot of power outages, this is even more true.

Ensuring Safety

Maintaining power in your home will help you run your heating or air conditioning equipment, which can help you maintain optimal indoor air quality and safe temperatures. You’ll also still have power for things like your security system and appliances. If your refrigerator loses power for several hours, the food inside can start to spoil.

Comfort and Convenience

Let’s be honest. We live in a day and age where we enjoy our electronics and convenience features. With the investment of a backup generator, there’s no reason not to continue using the things that make us happy and keep us content. Maintaining a comfortable environment is ideal for everyone if you have small children or pets in the home.

Workflow and Business

If you work from home, your boss may not be compassionate because your power is out. To keep up with your productivity levels, a backup generator can keep your computer on, your phone functioning, your fax machine online, etc. If you own and run your business from home, your profitability depends on maintaining power.

Reducing Insurance Risks

If the power goes out in your home, this can result in damage caused by power surges. Your sump pump may stop working, which can lead to water damage. While your insurance is designed to cover many of these damages, you can avoid having to utilize your policy by having a backup generator installed.

Efficiency

Backup generators are extremely efficient. With minimal fuel, you can power your entire home or the main sections of your home. A whole-house unit tends to be built more efficiently than a portable unit, as it considers that you’re powering many different items with one piece of equipment.

Sleek Design

Generators that are hooked up to your home are very compact. We install these units discreetly, tucking them away near your home so they aren’t overly visible. You can camouflage these units with landscaping and other yard décor. Just make sure that you have enough room around the unit so that it functions properly. You should allow at least five feet of clearance above the generator and three feet on each side of the unit.

Achieving Surge Protection

Most whole-house generators are equipped with surge protection, which protects electronics, appliances, and devices when the power goes back on.

Considering the Cost of a Generator

Purchasing a backup generator can be a bit expensive. The price tends to go up the bigger your house is and the more items you need to power. Depending on what you select, the cost of this project can range from $4,000 to $20,000.

Also, keep in mind that your generator requires certain maintenance. You’ll want to have it inspected and tested annually, and you will need to schedule oil changes, filter changes, and repairs as needed.

Your generator will need to run on some type of power source to function. Options for power include gas, propane, and natural gas. The more you run your generator, the more fuel you need to pay for. However, most generators are very efficient to run.

Considering Space and Sound

Most modern generators are very compact. However, you’ll want to assess your property to determine the best location for its placement. You may be required to install your backup generator on a particular side of your home based on where your electrical panel is located and where the primary source of electricity comes into the house.

You may wonder what the right generator size for your home is. The answer depends on your power needs, typically determined by calculating the wattage required to run essential appliances during an outage. Key factors include the size of your home, the number of appliances, and whether you need backup for necessities only or the entire house. One of our electricians will evaluate your electrical load, factoring in starting wattage for large appliances like refrigerators and HVAC systems, to recommend the most suitable generator size.

Generators can be noisy, so their placement should also consider this. If you’re worried about noise, talk to our team about finding an ultra-quiet generator. We can also install your generator away from bedrooms.

The Importance of Professional Installation

While there are several benefits associated with investing in a backup generator, you want to ensure that a reputable professional from our team installs it for you. This isn’t a do-it-yourself job for several reasons. For starters, the installation process involves electricity and a fuel source. If the installation isn’t done correctly, your household can be at risk of things like carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution, and fire.

Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning Experts in Generators, HVAC, and Electric Service Provider

If you would like to learn more about installing a backup generator in your Kirkland home, contact the team here at Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning. We would be happy to assess your home and provide you with an estimate. Our other electrical services include EV chargers, wiring, hot tub wiring, and more. We also install, repair, and maintain various heating and cooling equipment types, such as furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and mini-splits. We also provide various electrical services and can address your indoor air quality with an IAQ assessment and ductwork cleaning. Contact Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning in Kirkland today to schedule an appointment.