Backup Generator Installation in Highland Park, IL
Spring is a beautiful time of year in Highland Park, IL, and across Chicagoland. Warmer temperatures, blooming flowers and trees, and increased daylight hours make spring one of the best seasons here.
But along with those benefits, spring also brings with it the threat of thunderstorms and severe weather. Are you prepared? Power outages from severe weather or electrical failures can lead to spoiled food, no lights and no power for appliances and electronics. If you want to stay one step ahead of Mother Nature, consider installing a standby generator in your home. The electricians at Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric can help. Contact us today for the installation of a backup generator.
How Does a Backup Generator Work?
If your home loses power due to a storm or an electrical failure, your standby generator will turn on automatically. The unit’s automatic transfer switch senses a loss of power immediately, starts the generator and transfers the electrical load to the generator to supply power to the circuits.
When power is restored to a home, the automatic transfer switch transfers the electrical load back to the utility and signals the backup generator to turn off. Most standby generators run a test cycle once a week for 10 minutes to ensure they’re operating properly.
Backup generators typically run on liquid propane gas, diesel or natural gas.
Backup generators cost about $3,000 to $6,000 – much more than portable generators – but they turn on automatically and can power your entire home. Portable generators are designed for smaller spaces and don’t turn on automatically.
Benefits of Installing a Backup Generator
There are loads of benefits to installing a backup generator in your Highland Park, IL, home, including:
- Automatically detecting power outages. Backup generators activate within a few seconds of your power going out. You don’t need to lift a finger. You’ll have power to everything you need, including your HVAC system, lights, appliances and electronics.
- Easy maintenance. Standby generators require very little maintenance, as they perform weekly tests automatically.
- No need to refuel. Most of today’s backup generators connect directly to your home’s fuel line. This means you won’t need to go outside during a dangerous storm to refuel it. If you’re using propane, be sure to buy a big enough tank so you don’t run out of fuel.
- Safety. If you lose power during the middle of a blizzard, you can be left stranded in a cold house without a working HVAC system. A standby generator can keep your family safe and warm and prevent food from spoiling.
- Savings. You won’t need to pay for a hotel room or buy new food in the even that you lose power for a long period of time.
Tips for Buying a Backup Generator
Pick a Fuel Type
As we mentioned, standby generators can run on propane or natural gas. Propane tanks can run out if your tank isn’t large enough. Connecting your backup generator to your home’s natural gas line will eliminate the threat of running out of power.
Determining the Right Size Generator
Backup generator sizes typically range from 5,000 to 20,000 watts. Determine the number of watts you need to power your home when purchasing a generator.
Maintenance Agreement
Check if there’s a maintenance agreement offered when you buy a generator. Some agreements come with 24/7 remote monitoring to constantly check for issues.
Remote Monitoring
Some units even come with Wi-Fi capabilities so you can monitor your generator even when you’re not home. You’ll know when the generator turns on or off, or if the unit is experiencing any issues.
Contact Ravinia Plumbing for Backup Generator Installation in Highland Park, IL
Ravinia Plumbing carries and installs most major brands of standby generators. Ravinia offers a free one-year maintenance plan and optional remote monitoring when you purchase a generator through 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, heating and cooling, and electrical companies in Highland Park, IL, and the rest of Chicago’s North Shore and Chicago’s Northwest suburbs. Contact us today to request an appointment.
