Or Leave You Wallowing in a Black Hole
The date Oct. 29, 2012, probably still makes Long Island residents shudder. That’s the day Superstorm Sandy struck and damaged more than 100,000 homes on Long Island and left 90 percent of Long Island Power Authority’s customers without electricity. Moreover, “Frankenstorm” came just a year after Tropical Storm Irene cut power to a half-million people.
The hard lesson learned from Irene and Sandy is the importance of possessing an alternative energy source, such as a whole home generator, when the power goes out and there’s no timetable for its restoration. Electrical outages can be caused by electrical storms, ice storms, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, rolling blackouts or even a traffic accident or oversized tractor-trailer that takes down power lines that supply your home or business. Generators allow you to keep the lights on, your refrigerator running and the heat or air conditioning functioning because they rely on alternative fuel sources, such as natural gas or LP gas (propane). With so many people now working from home, who can afford to be without power for even a few hours?
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a generator for your home or business. Gold Star’s experienced pros can guide you through the process so you can select the generator that best fits your needs and budget. We also take the guesswork out of selecting which brand generator to choose because we install Generac, by far the leading name in whole home generators.
Whole House Generators Provide Peace of Mind
A standby generator is permanently wired into your home or business and is connected to a natural gas line or large fuel tank (usually propane). A transfer switch automatically turns on the generator when your main electrical power goes out so everything should be back and running within 30 seconds. A whole home generator is just that—it is connected to all of your electrical circuits. A smaller capacity standby generator can be configured to power designated “essential circuits” such as refrigerator/freezer, certain lights and receptacles, water and septic pumps, and heating systems.
A generator’s capacity is rated by watts produced. The more devices you want powered, the more watts you need generated. As a generator’s capacity increases, so does its cost. Gold Star has the knowledge to help you calculate the number of watts required to safely handle your electrical load.
Leave It to Us, the Generator Pros
Without a doubt, installation of a whole home generator must be done by licensed professionals. Gold Star’s comprehensive team has you covered. Our technicians will make all of the necessary electrical connections, including installing the correct size automatic transfer switch. We’ll install a separate electrical panel set up with the chosen circuits. Our plumbers will hook up the generator to a natural gas line or other fuel tank. They’ll ensure the correct valves are used for proper pressure readings.
Gold Star’s staff will help determine where to place your standby generator so it is near your electrical panel but in a place to safely keep the exhaust away from your building. We’ll also assist you in securing the necessary permits and inspections from your municipality and meeting any homeowner association restrictions.
A whole house generator is a major investment, but it can help in the resale value of your home and give you peace of mind in the eye of the storm. To determine the total price of a whole house generator, you should factor the cost of the generator, the installation by professional technicians (including the wiring and fuel connections) and the yearly maintenance and fuel use.