What Is a Whole Home Generator, and How Does It Work?
Living in Melbourne, FL means you’re very familiar with thunderstorms, hurricanes, and other weather-related events that cause power outages. Booking a whole home generator installation is an excellent way to stay prepared. Being able to keep your essential systems (lights, HVAC, and refrigeration) running adds a ton of convenience for your safety and comfort.
Let’s take a close look at whole home generators, including what they are, how they work, and their many benefits.
What Is a Whole Home Generator?
A whole home generator, also known as a home standby generator, connects straight to the home’s electrical system. When the power goes out, it automatically kicks on to keep the electricity running.
Unlike portable generators, whole home versions provide continuous power for the entire home instead of limited coverage. You won’t have to mess with a bunch of tangled cables or moving equipment from room to room to keep things powered.
How Does a Whole Home Generator Work?
When you want a setup that automatically restores power each time the power goes out, you need to schedule a whole house generator installation. The device includes multiple built-in systems that keep it running smoothly during outages:
- Power Loss Detection: Instantly senses outages and triggers automatic generator response.
- Automatic Startup: Generator powers on within seconds of power loss.
- Seamless Power Transfer: Smoothly shifts electricity from utility to generator backup.
- Continuous Operation: Keeps essential systems running without interruptions or downtime.
- Automatic Shutdown: Turns off safely once normal utility power returns.
Fuel Sources: Natural Gas vs. Propane
Whole home generators are available in many sizes and power options, making it simple to select a setup that perfectly matches your household needs and comfort preferences.
- Natural Gas: This type is a great option if your home already has a gas line connection. You won’t have to worry about refilling because it will draw fuel directly from your home’s natural gas supply.
- Propane: Propane generators use an independent fuel tank. You simply refuel or replace the tank each time it runs low. This type does require more upkeep, but it gives you a flexible way to power your home if you don’t have access to natural gas.
Installation & Professional Setup
You should always have a professional do the home generator installation. The job requires connecting electrical wiring to the transfer switch and dealing with high-voltage power. Without the right skill set, it’s easy to make mistakes that could cause equipment damage or serious safety hazards.
Here’s how we go about installing whole home generators to ensure a safe, effective setup:
- Assess your home’s power needs: Your home’s appliance wattage, total square footage, and HVAC load all impact choosing the right size generator. Most average-size homes need a unit with a power capacity between 18 kW and 26 kW to cover essential systems.
- Select the best installation site: We install most whole home generators in side yards, on concrete pads, or near the utility meter. We look for a spot that allows for easy maintenance and always has adequate airflow.
- Install the automatic transfer switch: We install this part to connect the generator to the electrical panel. We’ll choose a proper mounting location and wiring harness so that all circuits receive balanced, reliable power during an outage.
- Connect the fuel source: Once the transfer switch is in place, we connect the generator to your chosen fuel source. This may involve running a gas line if you want a natural gas connection. For propane generators, it requires installing or linking to a dedicated propane tank.
- Test and certify the system: With everything in its place, we turn the generator on and send it through a number of tests to check its performance, safety, and overall reliability. We’ll walk you through how to use the generator so you’re fully prepared for future power outages.
The Benefits of a Whole Home Generator in Melbourne
Understanding the advantages of whole home generators can help you decide whether installing one is right for your home. In addition to keeping the lights on, you’ll enjoy several other benefits.
- Automatic operation: You don’t have to drag around heavy equipment or deal with extension cords when you use a whole home generator. Every time the power goes out, the device kicks on automatically to restore electricity.
- Full-home coverage: Portable generators are great for temporary or limited power needs, but they don’t let you keep the whole home powered. Having consistent power across every circuit is paramount to keeping all essential systems operating, and that’s exactly what you get with a whole home generator.
- Uninterrupted comfort: Just because the local power grid goes down doesn’t mean you have to put life on hold. A whole home generator lets you go about your day no matter what’s going on outside.
- Long lifespan: Whole home generators can last up to 30 years or longer with proper care. When the time comes, our expertise in home generator replacement ensures your backup power stays reliable.
- Added home value: If you ever intend to sell the home, a whole home generator will serve as an attractive selling point. Buyers in Melbourne frequently look for these add-ons because of the severe weather in the area.
- Preserve food and medicine: You won’t have to fret about food going bad in the refrigerator because it’ll stay running during outages. The steady temperature control is also helpful for protecting temperature- and moisture-sensitive medicine from losing its effectiveness during prolonged power interruptions.
- Maintain security systems: You get to keep all security equipment (alarms, cameras, and motion sensors) active. The enhanced protection against break-ins is especially valuable during power outages when burglary risks sometimes increase.
- Prevent water damage: Sump pumps, dehumidifiers, and HVAC systems play a vital role in mitigating moisture and water damage. With a generator, these systems stay active at all times, giving you better control over indoor humidity.
- Support remote work and schooling: The power stays on for the computers, Wi-Fi routers, and charging stations, so your family can keep working and studying without any interruptions.
Why Choose Melbourne Mister Sparky?
Here at Melbourne Mister Sparky, we’re experts at helping homeowners prep their homes for electrical outages. We offer surge protection, generator installation, panel upgrades, and more. Think of us as your one-stop shop for keeping your home safely powered when the electricity goes out.
Contact Mister Sparky now to learn more about the benefits of whole house generators in Melbourne.