Purchasing a generator can be a wise investment, especially when you choose a standby unit. This type of generator provides “juice” for the entire home or business in backup power during outages and kicks into action automatically when the utility grid is interrupted. This, in turn, delivers a continuous electricity supply to your house or commercial building.
Most people want to know what “continuous” means in terms of running generators. It may surprise you how incredible their runtime can be. These are exceptional machines when operating in top condition.
How About 3,000 Hours?
That’s right. You can get up to 3,000 hours of electricity to power a medium-sized home. Now that’s impressive for a standby generator. A portable generator will provide your home with less juice, but still a respectable 2,000 hours of runtime. Factors such as generator type, size, fuel source and brand can determine how long a generator can operate.
A standby unit is designed for “the long run.” That means electricity can be provided for up to several days. A portable unit has been developed for short-term increments and needs a manual startup and refueling schedule. Electrical experts recommend that a standby generator not be used continuously for more than 500 hours.
Another tip is this: If you use natural gas in your home or business, a natural gas generator can be connected directly to your gas line. In other words, there’s no need for a fuel tank, and your standby device can run continuously if the gas lines are functioning during the outage.
Maintenance Makes a Difference
Like any machine with many moving parts and complexities, generators require regular, professional maintenance. The engine, alternator and fuel system are key components that require expert inspection to ensure the generator operates at its optimum best and remains reliable when a power outage strikes. What’s surprising is the statistics that reveal more than 70% of generator failures occur due to poor maintenance practices.
Licensed electricians remind generator owners to pay attention to their machines. If you receive a system alert to call a technician or electrician, it means you have a problem that requires repair. An annual inspection is recommended. Remember, experts can spot potential issues and address them before they turn into major, expensive problems.
Homeowners can do their part to ensure their generator has 3,000 hours of runtime, too. Check the battery regularly to see if it’s properly charged and that the terminals are clean. Also, test and replace the fuel regularly.
Professional Generator Services
If you live in Tampa Bay, FL, and need generator services, contact the industry’s finest at Cornerstone Pros. We boast 50+ years in the business and years of experience.