March brings sneak peeks of warm weather, tricking you into thinking spring is on its way – but don’t be fooled! Icy weather can still hit at any time, especially in the temperamental Midwest. And once spring is here, strong thunderstorms roll in quickly leaving huge power outages in their wake. Is your home or business ready for when your power goes out?
Tips to Prepare for a Power Outage
You never know when extreme weather will hit, so it’s best to be prepared. Depending on where you live, it could take several hours to several days for power to be restored after an outage. In your home, this means spoiled food in your refrigerator (which can be expensive to replace), interruptions to your daily routine, and safety issues as you stumble around in the dark. If you run a home business, the impact is more severe.
Commercial power outages can be even more devastating, depending on the size of your office, number of employees affected, and nature of your business. Don’t let this happen to you!
These three simple tips can help minimize the impact of a power outage:
- 1. Have at least one flashlight – with fresh batteries – on each level of your home or business. Stock an additional flashlight for each person who lives/works there.
- 2. Keep your cell phone charged at all times in case your phone lines go down.
- 3. Get a backup generator professionally installed and perform routine maintenance on it.
Steps 1 and 2 are easy and can be taken care of today. Step 3 is a breeze too – you just need to run to the hardware store and buy a generator, right? Well, not exactly.
Portable Generators vs. Standby Generators
Here are the differences between portable generators and standby generators:
Portable generators are a low-priced option that allow you flexibility in moving them from place to place. They must be manually started and require refueling with gasoline, so be sure to always have a sufficient supply of gasoline on hand. You will also need to run extension cords throughout your home or office for power, so you’ll want to purchase enough cords in advance and test that each cord reaches as far as you need it to. It’s also important that the cords are heavy-duty (12-gauge or larger). You don’t want to be testing this out during a storm! Ryan Electrical Solutions can help you decide which portable generator is the right fit for you.
Standby generators are self-sufficient, so when your power inevitably goes out, your generator will automatically kick on and restore power to your home or office. These generators are designed to power the entire building, but you do have the option to choose just selected circuits. A standby generator is the most hands-off solution, which means you can rest easy during even the worst power outages. A standby generator will turn on automatically, even if you are away, which is especially beneficial during heavy rains that require your sump pump to operate!
While you can install a generator yourself, manufacturers recommend working with an authorized dealer to ensure that all extended warranties and codes are satisfied.
Common Misconceptions About Generators
As professionals in the generator installation business for more than 20 years, we’ve heard it all! Here are some common misconceptions about installing generators:
- Too expensive
- Looks ugly
- Noisy
You might be surprised to find that generator installation is more affordable than you think. Ryan Electrical Solutions now has financing options available – be sure to contact our office to learn more!
Our certified technicians will find an inconspicuous place to install your generator; it will end up looking about the same as your outdoor air conditioner unit. As for the noise level, it doesn’t make any noise when it’s not running and only minimal noise when it is running – certainly worth it to have electricity!
Residential and Commercial Generator Installation
Whether you’re looking for residential or commercial generator installation, you’ll want a custom solution that meets your needs – nothing more and nothing less. Our certified, trained technicians offer free consultations where we meet with you to discuss your situation and determine the proper size generator to create the perfect match for you.
When it’s time to install your generator, our team of experienced technicians will ensure the installation is done right. Because what good is a backup generator if it won’t kick on when you need it and power your entire home or office? With careful installation and thorough testing, you can rest assured our team has you covered. We also offer warranties on all our generator installations.
Generator Maintenance and Repair
Once your backup generator is in place (or if you already have a generator installed), we recommend yearly maintenance on it (twice per year is even better). You’ll want to have your generator inspected and have the oil and filters changed.
Our technicians are trained to service and repair nearly every brand of generator. We can perform all recommended maintenance for you. Contact us to see if we service your type of generator (chances are, we do) and schedule a quick tune-up. We’ll be sure everything is ready to back you up in the event of a power outage.
Ryan Electrical Solutions offers everything you need to keep your home or office up and running… even when the power isn’t! We set the bar for generator maintenance and repair in Central Illinois. We use only top-quality parts and follow manufacturers’ maintenance programs to the letter, providing you with peace of mind that your new generator will be ready when you need it most. Contact us today for a free consultation!