We are in peak storm season and we know that means power outages. A generator is all you need to help keep the lights on when the sky gets dark, but do you know how to install it?
We spoke to Kristina Perkins with Metro Electric, and she shared five things you may not know about installing a generator in your home.
1. The size of the generator matters
When the power goes out, the generator should automatically turn on and start powering your home. This means powering the lights, sump pump, refrigerator, air conditioner, etc. So you need to assess your power needs and wants so you know how big of a generator to get. Generators, like the ones Metro Electric carries, range in size from 10 -26 kW.
2. Installing can take all day
Metro Elecrtic tells its customers to be ready for them to come between 7:30 and 8 a.m. It requires four certified Generac installers and a licensed electrician and gas installer. At the end of the day, they will test it out and teach you how your generator works.
3. Your city may require your generator to be in a certain place
Unfortunately, you don’t have free reign on where to place your generator. Many cities have rules on where they can be, and they must be at least five feet away from any opening of your home and 10 feet away from any fresh air intake vents.
4. It’s about as loud as a lawnmower
If you are thinking of installing a generator, you may wonder how loud it will be once it kicks on. Perkins says the Generac generators they use produce about the same amount of noise as a lawn mower.
5. It doesn’t have to be expensive
If cost has kept you away from buying a generator, places like Metro Electric have many financing options to make the financial burden easier. They work with Synchrony Bank for financing, and their most popular option is 18 months same as cash.
For more great advice, watch the video above. To learn more, click or tap here.