Your West Boylston, MA, Generator Installation Experts.

Power outages have a way of happening at the worst possible time. A severe storm rolls through West Boylston, MA, extreme temperatures strain the power grid, or an unexpected utility problem leaves your neighborhood without electricity. Suddenly, the refrigerator, lights, heating and cooling system, internet, and other important equipment may be offline.

A professionally installed standby generator can help take some of the stress out of those situations. DeWolfe Plumbing Heating & Cooling helps make sure your system is properly selected, installed, connected, and ready for an outage.

What Is a Standby Generator?

A standby generator is a permanently installed backup power system placed outside your home. It is connected to an appropriate fuel source and to your home’s electrical system through a transfer switch.

When the generator detects that utility power has been interrupted, the transfer switch disconnects your home from the utility supply and connects it to generator power in moments. When utility power returns, the system transfers your home back to the utility and shuts the generator down safely until it is needed again.

The exact operation depends on the generator and installation, but the basic idea is simple: backup power is there when you need it without requiring you to manually set up a portable unit.

Why Install a Standby Generator?

A power outage can be more than an inconvenience. Depending on the season and length of the outage, losing electricity can affect your home’s comfort, food storage, communications, security, and other essential functions.

A standby generator can help keep important systems operating during an outage, such as:

• Heating and air conditioning
• Refrigerators and freezers
• Interior and exterior lighting
• Wi-Fi and networking equipment
• Garage doors
• Sump pumps
• Selected kitchen appliances
• Security systems
• Other essential electrical circuits

For many homeowners, the biggest benefit is peace of mind. Instead of wondering what will happen if the power goes out during the next storm, you can have a dedicated backup power system already installed and ready to operate.

Standby Generator vs. Portable Generator

Portable generators have their place, but they typically require more hands-on involvement.

A portable generator needs to be stored when it’s not in use and brought out during an outage. You have to take extra precautions to position it safely outdoors and then connect the equipment, add fuel, manually start the unit, and monitor runtime. Portable generators often need more routine maintenance and testing to ensure ongoing operation than standby generators.

A standby generator is designed for optimal convenience and reliability. It’s permanently installed and can automatically respond when utility power is interrupted.

What Size Generator Do You Need?

When it comes to standby generators, bigger isn’t automatically better.

Generators are available in different capacities, and the appropriate size depends on the electrical loads you want the system to support. A homeowner who wants to power a few essential circuits will have different requirements than someone looking for whole-home backup power.

During the installation planning process, DeWolfe Plumbing Heating & Cooling can help identify the appliances and systems that matter most to you during an outage.

You may want to prioritize your heating and cooling system, refrigerator, lighting, communications equipment, sump pump, or other essential loads. Understanding those priorities helps determine the generator capacity and electrical setup needed for the installation.

Proper sizing is an important part of getting dependable performance from your backup power system.

What Does Standby Generator Installation Involve?

Installing a standby generator involves more than simply placing a unit outside your house.

The installation needs to account for the generator’s location, required clearances, electrical connections, transfer equipment, fuel supply, manufacturer’s specifications, and applicable local requirements.

Depending on the generator and property, installation may involve electrical, fuel, gas, or other specialized work. Appropriate permits and inspections may also be required based on local regulations.

DeWolfe Plumbing Heating & Cooling will help coordinate the installation and make sure the work is completed according to applicable codes, manufacturer requirements, and safety standards. The result will be a properly integrated backup power system that’s ready to do its job when your utility power isn’t available.

What Can a Whole-Home Generator Power?

A whole-home generator is designed to provide backup power for a much larger portion of your home’s electrical system than a generator intended only for essential circuits.

Exactly what it can power depends on the generator’s capacity and your home’s electrical demands. With the right system, you may be able to continue using many of the conveniences you rely on every day, including heating and cooling, kitchen appliances, lighting, internet, and other household equipment.

The important thing is to have the system appropriately sized for your home’s expected electrical load rather than assuming that any generator can power everything.

Don’t Wait for the Next Outage

It’s easy to think about backup power after you’ve spent a night without electricity. Once the lights come back on, though, the idea can quickly move down the priority list.

The problem is that you never know exactly when the next outage will happen.

A standby generator is an investment in your home’s comfort, convenience, and preparedness. When properly selected and installed, it can provide valuable backup power when your normal electrical service is interrupted.

Ready to prepare your home for the next power outage? Contact DeWolfe Plumbing Heating & Cooling today to discuss residential standby generator installation and find a backup power solution that’s right for your home. Call (508) 233-3038 or request service online.