Generator Services
Hot weather. Cold weather. Pouring rain. Even high winds. All can cause a power outage in your house. Spoiled food. Lost data. And inconvenience.
These nuisances can be avoided with an automatic or whole-home standby generator. Whole-house generators are connected to your home’s electrical system, turning on automatically when the power goes out and shutting off automatically when it comes back on.
People prefer these over portable generators that must be turned on and off manually. Portable generators can only charge a few appliances, while whole home generators can be sized to power most or all of your home. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of buying a whole-house generator and what to look for when choosing a system. For whole-house generator services, including the complete generator system installation, contact Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric.
The Benefits of a Whole House Generator
If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t realize how much you rely on electricity until you have a power outage. If you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages due to inclement weather or other issues, consider investing in a home backup generator from Ravinia Plumbing. Some of the benefits include:
- Automatic detection of a power outage. When a power outage occurs, your generator’s automatic transfer switch transfers power from the utility to your generator to power your home.
- Preventing food from spoiling. Without a backup generator, you risk having the food in your fridge and freezer spoil, which can be costly to replace.
- Operating your garage door(s). While some garage doors can be operated manually, many are heavy and difficult to operate without power. Don’t get your cars stuck inside your garage. A generator can provide power when needed most.
- Powering your appliances and electrical systems. With the addition of a natural gas generator, you can continue to go about your life as if nothing happened. That includes taking hot showers, cooking, washing clothes, and using your home’s electrical devices, such as TVs and video game consoles. Most importantly, you can operate your heating and cooling system, and sump pumps which is imperative during the cold winters, hot summers, and rain storms in and around Chicago, IL.
- Operating medical equipment. If you or a loved one relies on at-home medical equipment, you must ensure equipment can operate even when the power is out. A home backup generator can keep these vital machines running.
What to Look for When Buying a Whole House Generator
Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a home standby generator.
Power Needs
The first decision you need to make is whether you want a standby generator to power your entire home or just specific things like your refrigerator, HVAC equipment, sump pump, etc.
A standard standby generator should suffice if you want to power certain things. They power homes with a kilowatt range of nine to 20 kilowatts and run on natural gas. However, if you want to power your entire house, you may opt for a whole-house standby generator that provides 20 kilowatts or more. A licensed electrician can help you determine your power needs and what type of standby generator is right for you.
An Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)
The automatic transfer switch connects the generator to your electrical system. It monitors the power coming in and senses when a power outage occurs. An ATS has a designated number of circuits based on the generator’s strength, and connects to selected circuits in your electric panel.
Cooling
Generators can be air-cooled or liquid-cooled. Air-cooled generators use a fan to force air across the engine for cooling. This is sufficient for most home standby generators. Larger kilowatt generators usually require liquid cooling.
Enclosures
Aluminum and composite enclosures are preferred, as they prevent rust and corrosion.
Remote Monitoring
Newer models have Wi-Fi options that let you monitor the generator when you are not home. You can also have your generator provider monitor it for you.
Maintenance
Make sure whoever you purchase the generator from has a generator maintenance plan. And then make sure the generator is maintained. Some warranties may not be valid if you do not have regular generator service performed.
Contact Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric for Standby Generators
Ravinia Plumbing can be your source for a standby generator. Our licensed technicians can help you determine the right generator for your home and then install it. We also provide remote monitoring of your system and annual maintenance. Additionally we will provide the first-year maintenance for free when you purchase a genearator from us. We’ve been in business since 1928, and we’ve made a name for ourselves as one of the most trusted and reliable plumbing, sewer, HVAC, and electrical companies in Chicagoland. Contact Ravinia Plumbing today to schedule an appointment for professional generator installation, maintenance, and repair services.
