Flo-Aire Heating, Cooling & Electrical

Homeowners Guide to Home Backup Generators

Homeowners Guide to Home Backup Generators

Losing power in your home can be devastating. In a split second, you can go from having full functionality to being without heat, air conditioning, lights, or electronics of any kind. You can’t even open your refrigerator without the risk of your food spoiling. However, if you have a home backup generator, then you always have a safety net should your home experience a power outage. These handy devices run on gasoline, propane, diesel, or natural gas, and they can keep your entire household running for a prolonged period by producing electricity.

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    Who Makes the Best Home Backup Generators?

    At Flo-Aire, we always recommend Generac brand home backup generators. Generac is the top-selling brand of home generators in the country, and the Generac product line offers a wide variety of high-quality options to choose from. Depending on your price range and the features you’re looking for, you’ll certainly be able to find a device that meets your needs.

    When you have a permanently installed Generac generator, it will automatically start powering your home as soon as your electricity goes out. It will run on either natural gas or liquid propane and sit outside your home in the same way a central air conditioning unit would.

    How Does a Generac Home Backup Generator Work?

    1. As soon as the power goes out in your home due to a storm or any other cause, your Generac generator will restore electricity to your entire house within seconds.
    2. The generator will detect that you’ve lost power and automatically turn on.
    3. As the generator produces power, the automatic transfer switch will begin sending it to your home to power your appliances, lights, and other devices.
    4. Once the generator detects that your main power source is up and running once again, it will automatically shut off.
    A grey generator set on brown mulch against brick style building

    Generac Home Backup Generator Features

    The Generac product line includes many different models of home backup generators, and some units will offer certain features that others won’t. Listed below are some of the most common features included with these quality devices.

    • True Power Technology – With Generac’s trademarked True Power Technology, the home generators provide best-in-class power quality with less than five percent total harmonic distortion. This allows the devices to safely power all of your sensitive electronics and appliances without having to worry about anything being damaged.
    • User-Friendly Controls – Generac home backup generators come equipped with smart, user-friendly controls. This includes a multilingual LCD screen, which allows you to monitor the device’s battery status and track a variety of informative statistics. That way, you always know how well your generator is performing and can easily stay on top of maintenance.
    • Remote Monitoring – Every home generator in Generac’s Guardian Series features Mobile Link Remote Monitoring. This feature lets you monitor the status of your generator from anywhere in the world using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. This includes important information such as the generator’s current performance and maintenance alerts.
    • Quiet Operation – You won’t need to worry about your Generac generator disturbing your home’s peace and quiet. These devices feature built-in noise reduction to keep them operating as quietly as possible.
    • 5-Year Warranty – When you purchase a Generac home backup generator, it comes with a 5-year limited warranty. For the first two years, the warranty covers parts, labor, and limited travel expenses to repair or replace any defective components. For the third year, the warranty covers the cost of all parts, and for the final two years, all major components are covered.
    • Durable Enclosure – Since your home backup generator will be set up outside your house, it’s important that it’s protected from the elements. That’s why every Generac generator is equipped with a durable all-aluminum enclosure with a RhinoCoat powder-coated finish. These enclosures are corrosion-proof and resistant to all weather conditions.
    • Powerful Engine – Each Generac home backup generator features a powerful G-Force Engine. These purpose-built, pressure-lubricated engines offer enough reliable power to keep everything in your home functioning perfectly. These specially designed engines also require less maintenance than other comparable engines.

    What Can Your Home Backup Generator Power?

    Listed below are a few examples of the many appliances and devices that your Generac home backup generator will be able to provide power for.

    As you can see, your generator will be able to power all of the essentials for maintaining your day-to-day life. Essentially, having one of these devices installed ensures that you’ll be able to continue functioning normally for the duration of any power outage. A Generac home backup generator will allow you and your family to remain safe and comfortable for as long as it takes for your power to be restored.

    Downriver's Home Generator Installation Experts

    When you need a home generator installed, maintained, or repaired in the Downriver area, you need not look any further than Flo-Aire Heating, Cooling & Electrical. For more than 60 years, we’ve been faithfully providing the area with a variety of quality household services. We offer 24/7 emergency services, fair prices, flexible appointment scheduling, and high-quality workmanship. Our technicians are licensed, insured, and highly knowledgeable, and they’re ready to go the extra mile to keep you comfortable and safe all year long. If you’d like to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services, simply give our offices a call today at (734) 285-1809!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    During winters, it's important to make sure that your generator is clear of snow and ice for proper ventilation and operation. In the summer, regular checks for debris and dust accumulation is a best practice. Seasonal maintenance checks are recommended for reliable performance year-round.

    Common reasons for home generator failure include issues with the fuel system, battery failures, and lack of regular maintenance. To prevent these, make sure that your fuel system is regularly checked for leaks or blockages, the battery is kept charged and inspected for corrosion, and that the generator undergoes routine professional maintenance checks.

    Yes, home backup generators can be integrated with renewable energy systems like solar panels. This combination allows for an efficient energy solution where the generator can provide backup power during outages or when solar energy is insufficient. However, this requires a proper setup by a professional to ensure seamless switching between power sources and to avoid any technical issues.

    Local weather patterns, like frequent storms or extreme temperatures, can influence the choice of a generator model. For areas with frequent power outages due to storms, a larger capacity generator might be preferable to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Also, models with robust weather-resistant features are ideal to withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions typical in the Metro Detroit area.

    Homeowners should consider noise levels, exhaust emissions, and proper placement for environmental safety. Generators should be installed away from windows and vents to prevent exhaust from entering the home. It's also important to comply with local noise ordinances. Additionally, considering a model with lower emissions can be beneficial for environmental friendliness, especially in residential areas.

    Flo-Aire Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Inc.

    Flo-Aire Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Inc.

    Locally owned and operated in Southgate, MI since 1955, Flo-Aire Heating, Cooling & Electrical is one of the top heating & cooling companies in Southeast Michigan. Flo-Aire provides residential, commercial and industrial HVAC services throughout all of Metro Detroit.

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