Every year I read of a section of the country that has lost power due to extreme weather. In some instances the power loss goes on for weeks. Our civilization is based on electricity and without it, we cannot function long as a modern society.
If you are so inclined, the time to procure an emergency generator is not after the power is knocked out and is not expected to be back on for days ( or weeks); the time to prepare is before you need power.
This is not intended to be a primer on home emergency generators; the subject is somewhat complex and the use of a generator requires grounding, positioning of the genset so that fumes from the engine do not enter your house, and determining how much power you need to run essentials. Do your research on the internet from credible sources.
What I will caution is that if you buy a generator, be sure that it produces 'clean' power as opposed to 'dirty' power. Clean power gensets cost more but will not damage electronic devices in the house, dirty power will damage anything with an electronic circuit board which is just about every appliance these days.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/clean-electricity
I recently traded off my 20 year old 5,000 watt Generac dirty power generator for a North Star 4,500 watt clean power generator. The Honda engine is quieter than the old Briggs and Stratton engine on the Generac, something my neighbors will like! We have a circuit panel installed for the generator to plug into that runs many of the circuits in the house. No need for extension cords snaking everywhere in the house, just be sure not to start the microwave, hairdryer, and electric iron at the same time! 4,500 watts will handle just about everything in the house that needs to be on to maintain comfort and health.
If you are so inclined, the time to procure an emergency generator is not after the power is knocked out and is not expected to be back on for days ( or weeks); the time to prepare is before you need power.
This is not intended to be a primer on home emergency generators; the subject is somewhat complex and the use of a generator requires grounding, positioning of the genset so that fumes from the engine do not enter your house, and determining how much power you need to run essentials. Do your research on the internet from credible sources.
What I will caution is that if you buy a generator, be sure that it produces 'clean' power as opposed to 'dirty' power. Clean power gensets cost more but will not damage electronic devices in the house, dirty power will damage anything with an electronic circuit board which is just about every appliance these days.
http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/clean-electricity
I recently traded off my 20 year old 5,000 watt Generac dirty power generator for a North Star 4,500 watt clean power generator. The Honda engine is quieter than the old Briggs and Stratton engine on the Generac, something my neighbors will like! We have a circuit panel installed for the generator to plug into that runs many of the circuits in the house. No need for extension cords snaking everywhere in the house, just be sure not to start the microwave, hairdryer, and electric iron at the same time! 4,500 watts will handle just about everything in the house that needs to be on to maintain comfort and health.
