Tips To Finding The Best Generator for Your Home in Naples

Are you trying to find a reliable generator for your home in Naples? Here is everything you need to know.

Buying a generator for your house is a necessary investment for everyone living in Florida, specifically in Naples. Due to the turbulent weather and frequent power outages, sustenance becomes difficult. To make your and your family’s life a little easier, getting a generator is a great idea.

Here are some things you need to know before going out to find the best generator for your home in Naples, Florida.

Of course, after getting a generator, you would need to get it installed.

Why Your Naples Home Needs a Generator

Florida is a state sandwiched between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Naples is situated in the southwestern part of Florida, which is closest to the sea. Coastal areas like Naples are usually very prone to being hit by tropical storms or hurricanes.

In fact, in September of 2017, Fort Myers Naples was struck by Hurricane Irma, which was probably one of the worst storms to have ever landed on Florida. The storm’s impact on the land caused a widespread power outage on the 10th of September which lasted for several days. During this power outage, multiple elderly fell victims to the high temperatures, and due to the lack of air conditioning, some even ended up passing away. The power facilities were struggling to get back on the grid, and as you can already tell, the effects were devastating.

The aftermath of Hurricane Irma is something that the citizens of Naples will remember for years to come; therefore, to avoid the severe consequences of power outages and to ensure your safety in the future, a generator is a worthy investment.

In addition to having power during an outage, a properly fitted generator can increase the value of your property. It will also protect some of your electronic appliances from being damaged by the potential surge of the storm.

Should You Get a Portable or Standby Generator?

There are two main types of generators you can opt for. One is a portable generator, while the other is a standby generator. The key difference between them is that the portable option can help provide enough power to get your essentials running. This includes your fridge, lights, and occasionally the water pump. A portable generator can supply around 1KW to 10KW of power, which is great for emergencies.

A standby generator, however, can generate enough power to last you through long power outages. It is usually dependent on fuel or natural gas for energy production. Standby generators are usually permanent installations and can be used to run your entire house.

Since power outages are quite common in Naples, a permanent standby generator is the best option to go for. It will ensure that you can get through an extended power outage without breaking a sweat.

What Else Should You Consider When Finding The Perfect Home Generator?

Now that you understand what types of generators exist, let’s think of other things to consider.

Get One Within a Reasonable Price

Make sure you know your prices well when you hit the market.

A normal standby generator will typically cost you around $5000. Installation costs are another $6000. In Southern Florida, you are less likely to find a source of natural gas, in which case you will need to get an external propane tank, which will take another $5000.

Make Sure It Provides Enough Wattage

It’s important to always know how much power your home uses daily. so that your generator can provide the proper amount of backup wattage when needed.

If you want a backup power source that can support the whole house, consider a 22KW generator. You’ll be able to use pretty much anything in your house, including the air conditioner. If you’re planning on saving some fuel and using power in only your bedrooms and bathrooms, a 16KW generator should do the trick. 16KW is enough to support about three bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The amount of electricity you need to run your home will therefore depend on the number of rooms and electrical appliances you want to run during an outage.

Look for Something With A CO Sensor and Switch

CO, or carbon monoxide, is a very toxic gas and can cause death by suffocation if inhaled in large amounts. Prolonged exposure can lead to severe brain damage as well.

CO is mainly produced when fossil fuels are burnt in low oxygen conditions; as you can already tell, the generator’s engine does not have a lot of oxygen in it. Generators do produce a certain amount of CO, so it’s important to look for a generator with a built-in CO sensor. After a certain level of CO is produced, the sensor will trigger a cut-off switch, automatically shutting the generator off.

This is an amazing feature for a generator to have. Buy it even if it’s a little pricier than your regular generator.

Find an Automated Generator

Let’s face it; having to start up the generator or shut it down is a chore. Not only that but you will be exposed to the harmful fumes produced by the generator.

Try and find a generator that can turn on automatically when the power goes out and turns off whenever the power comes back. It’ll save you a lot of extra and unnecessary effort.

Ask if The Generator Has a Low-Oil Shut off System

Like the CO sensor and cut-off switch, having a low-oil shut-off system is also important. Many generators keep running even when the oil is running low. Now, normally after the oil supply is exhausted, the generator stops; waiting until all the oil is used may end up damaging certain parts of your generator.

Therefore, find a generator that shuts down when it’s running out of fuel. That way, when there’s a sudden cut-off, you’ll know it’s time to refill the tank.

Lastly, Check if Your Generator Has Multiple Outlets

A generator with multiple outlets uses power by spreading the load amongst different appliances in the home. However, if you plan on getting this sort of generator, make sure you have your electrician install a transfer switch.

The transfer switch eliminates the need for extension cables, which can cause overloads. It connects your generator to your home’s main circuit board with a single wire. With it, you will be able to use plugless appliances like lights, water heaters, and pumps.

All in all, buy a generator that is safe, smart, and powerful enough to run your home smoothly.