Why do you need a standby home generator? Find out the answers here as well and how Vancelectric is here to help so you never lose power again.

As a home and/or business owner, nothing can be quite as disruptive as power outages. They often accompany severe weather storms but can be caused by numerous circumstances. On some occasions, you'll be notified of power outages by construction and electrical companies working in the area.

However, it doesn't matter if they're predictable or not. When the power fails, your whole life gets put on hold, even if it's only for an hour or two.

But what if you were to lose power for several hours? What if you lost power for days?

If you had a home generator, you wouldn't have to worry about it.

Not sure where to begin with your search for a backup generator? Don't worry, at Vance Electric, we've got answers to all of your questions. Keep reading for everything you need to know.

Benefits of Backup Generators

Backup generators like Generac generators have a lot of benefits. They provide power for homes and businesses during power outages of all kinds.

Backup generators can be vital for businesses that can't afford to lose power, like healthcare providers, banks, retail stores, and more. For these businesses, losing power could result in theft, injury, panic, or worse.

In less severe cases, backup generation simply helps businesses stay in business and keep their doors open. Restaurants can continue serving food, retail stores can continue selling products, and laundromats can continue washing and drying clothes.

Home generators can be a major comfort for families with young children. If there's a violent storm outside and you lose power, it can be terrifying for kids. Having a backup generator that automatically brings everything back to normal can go a long way towards getting your family through the night.

Additionally, a home backup generator that kicks on during the day will help your family function normally. Kids can continue doing homework on the computer, you and your spouse can continue watching TV or preparing dinner, etc.

Standby Generators Vs Portable Generators

There are two types of backup generators. There are stationary standby generators and portable generators.

Each comes with their own list of unique benefits. You'll need to assess your power needs and potential circumstances to find out which one is more appropriate for your home or business.

Standby Generators

Standby generators offer an automatic transfer of power when your main power source fails. Typically, they're tied into your natural gas line or run off of liquid propane. They're set up to automatically turn on if your power fails, usually in under a minute.

Because of how they're tied into your existing power lines, professional installation services are required for maximum safety and proper operation. Once installed, standby generators should create enough energy to power your entire home and all of its electronics and appliances.

If it's tied in with your gas line, you'll have infinite energy. If it's running off propane, you need to make sure the tanks are always full and ready for an emergency.

Portable Generators

Portable generators aren't as big, powerful, or convenient as standby generators. However, therein may lie their appeal to some home or business owners. Portable generators are small, and as their name suggests, portable.

They run on natural gas, liquid propane, or gasoline and can be used to power a small number of appliances or several electronics. If the power goes out, you'll need to manually fire up a portable generator and run extension cords to the appliances or electronics you wish to power.

Additionally, you'll need to make sure your portable generator remains outside, to avoid poisoning your household with noxious fumes. You'll also need to stay vigilant while monitoring fuel levels during long power outages, as refueling is also done manually.

Who Needs a Standby Generator

You may still be wondering if you need a home generator or a backup generator for your business. Ultimately, it depends on your needs, your circumstances, and how prepared you want to be for future power outages.

For example, hundreds of thousands of people have lost power due to this summer's hurricane season. Even though many of their homes were untouched by other damages, they were still affected by massive, long-lasting power outages.

You need to ask yourself if you're vulnerable to power outages and whether or not it's a major concern for your home or place of business.

Homeowners

To assess your needs, think about the ways a home generator could make your life easier. For example, if you work from home and use the internet and electronic devices, a power outage could significantly disrupt your productivity. Even if all you had was a small portable home generator, it would still allow you to work uninterrupted.

Generac generators that power the whole home can also prevent food from going bad in the fridge and freezer during long power outages. Even more importantly, a backup generator will keep your home at a safe and comfortable temperature. A power failure during the dead of winter could be life-threatening without a secondary source of power.

Business Owners

Business owners must also think about standby generators in terms of their individual needs. If you lost power for several hours or days to your business, would you suffer any damages to goods?

Alternatively, what about your customers? How much business would you lose if you didn't have power for multiple days on end?

You also need to think about the issues mentioned above like safety and security. If the lights went out during hours of operation, would your customers be at risk of hurting themselves? Would your business be at risk for theft due to low visibility and non-functioning security cameras?

Are You Interested in a Home Generator or Standby Generator for Your Business?

Now that you know a little about backup generators, the question is: do you need one? Whether you're looking out for your family's health, comfort, and safety or want to make sure your business is never interrupted by another power outage, we can help.

Contact us today for a free on-site inspection to determine your generator needs. And for more information, be sure to check out some of the other articles in our blog.

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How Generac Generators Keep Your Home Running

By Vance Electric • February 28, 2025

Is there anything as disruptive as a power outage? Whether there's an issue with the power grid or a powerful storm, a blackout can prevent you from enjoying the comfort of your home and adversely affect your work. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that about one in four American households experience a power outage annually. Acquiring a Generac generator is a necessity if you want to avoid the inconvenience caused by an outage. Standby generators automatically detect outages, ensuring you don't sit in the dark or have the food in your freezer go bad. Let's explore Generac generators and why you need one in your home. How Generac Generators Work Installing a Generac standby generator ensures your home has backup power whenever necessary. The main types of generators are standby and portable. Generac generators function in the following ways: Detecting Power Outages These generators can come with a transfer switch that automatically monitors the flow of electricity in your home. When there is a power outage, the generator kicks in, supplying power to your home. A home Generac generator doesn't need you to connect any cables or physically switch it on. It will automatically supply your house with electricity, ensuring your appliances keep running. Continuous Running and Automatic Shutdown As a new generator owner , you'll realize that Generac generators run continuously as long as the power outage lasts. The generators are specifically designed to handle long run times and provide power for an extended period. They automatically shut down when the grid comes back on and go back to standby mode, acting as a reliable energy solution for future outages. Benefits of a Generac Generator Owning a Generac generator offers more benefits than just a continuous power supply. These generators can start running when the lights go out in under 30 seconds. The automatic function means you don't have to be home to turn it on. So, you will not incur any losses as your business or home will continue running smoothly. A Generac generator also adds value to your property and can help you get a high resale price if you decide to sell. Having a Generac generator can also reduce your homeowners' insurance premiums . Here are a few tips to extend your generator's life and optimize its benefits: Make preventive repairs Regularly inspect the battery Exercise the generator Test and replace the fuel Features of Generac Generators The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates that Americans experienced about five and a half hours of power interruptions in 2022. Unexpected power outages can result in heavy financial losses resulting from missed work and perishable goods going bad . These features of Generac generators enhance their reliability and efficiency: User-friendly control features All-weather features Fuel efficiency and durability Smart monitoring with some generators having features such as Wi-Fi Further, modern generators minimize sound output, reducing noise pollution in your house. Talking with one of the best Generac dealers in Springfield can help you understand the features of any unit prior to the purchase. Generac generators run on liquid propane or natural gas; you don't need to refuel them since they will connect directly to your house's fuel line. This feature also makes them less expensive to maintain than generators that run on gas. How Long Do Generac Generators Run As a business or homeowner, nothing comes close to the disruption of a power outage. Although weather conditions are the leading cause of outages, the power grid can go down for various reasons. Consequently, having a standby or home generator guarantees continuous, uninterrupted power. They don't run on gasoline, meaning you don't have to continually refuel them when the power grid is off for a prolonged period. The main factors that determine how long a Generac generator will last include: The generator model The load capacity Fuel type Natural gas generators, such as Generac generators, can last indefinitely. The continuous gas supply from your home's fuel line keeps the generator running as long as necessary. However, portable generators may not run continuously as standby models. One of the reasons to buy a Generac standby generator is that it can run 24/7 regardless of weather conditions. Maintenance Tips for Generac Generators Generator maintenance is necessary for smooth, continuous running when you need backup energy. One of the first maintenance tips you should follow is to get maintenance service from a reputable commercial dealer . But how can you know that a company has a good reputation? Some of the indicators of a great dealer are: Great online reviews from previous customers Level of experience Certifications and qualifications of individual vendors Referrals and level of customer service The maintenance needs of generators will vary depending on the type or model. A Generac vendor can help you understand the warning signs your generator needs maintenance. However, you shouldn't wait for visible signs to appear before getting your generators regularly serviced. Some of the signs your generator needs maintenance work include: Low power output Difficulty starting Fluid leakage Strange noise and faulty parts Age is another sign that your generator needs maintenance. Like other machines, generators experience wear and tear, so it's only normal that they'll need greater maintenance as they get older. Who Needs Generac Generators According to the Climate Central Organization, power outages are more common across the United States. The main reason behind this is the changing climate, which caused approximately 83% of all power outages from 2000 to 2021. Getting a Generac generator is a priority for any homeowner or businessman. You need to understand that there are different types of generators , such as: Backup generators Portable generators Standby generators Industrial generators Choose a generator that can meet your needs. Backup generators are ideal if you experience short-term blackouts, whereas standby generators are better suited if you need a continuous power supply . Keep Your Home Running With Generac Generators Today Generac generators are the best bet if you want an uninterrupted power supply for your home or business. A standby generator can run for weeks and even months if necessary. Vancelectric has experience dating back to 1998, and we've gained a reputation built on providing high-quality Generac generators . We also offer installation and maintenance services to keep your unit running smoothly. Check out our website today to see all our energy solutions.