Time to read: 4 minutes
January 12, 2023
Texans are crazy about their weather. Whether it’s blisteringly hot or unforgivably cold, the Lone-Star State has some of the most volatile weather in the US. The brutal cold snap Texas experienced around the holidays left tens of thousands without power. While there were fewer power outages than there were during Winter Storm Uri back in 2021, it’s clear that power grid problems for Texans aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.
In light of the issues presented by constantly increasing electric bills and the unreliability of the power grid, the number of Texans that are installing Generac® home standby generators has skyrocketed. We all know that our PV design engineers and solar consultants have tons of good things to say about Generac® generators, and Texans swear on them for their reliability. Home standby generators are becoming a normal thing to add to newly constructed or already existing Texan homes. Being that more generators are being installed than ever, people are asking more questions about them all the time. This article addresses four of the most common questions asked about generators.
Where can I put my home standby generator?
In most cases, your home standby generator is installed outside of your home in a similar way to your air conditioner condenser outside your home. The generator will be installed next to the breaker box outside of your house. When you are looking to install a home standby generator, the professionals that you are working with will size the unit for your home to your needs and lay out details on where it will be installed. The generator can also easily be integrated into your already existing solar powered and battery systems.
Do I need to clean snow off of my generator?
This has become a much more common question in recent years, especially since Texas has had far harsher winters over the last few years. Yes, you should keep snow off of your generator. Keeping the generator free of snow prevents openings that act as air intake from getting blocked. The air intake pulls in air to keep your generator from overheating, so it’s vital that it doesn’t become blocked up. Depending on how bad the snowfall is, you may have to do this more than once a day. This seems like a small price to pay to keep your home running during a power outage, especially if it lasts for weeks at a time. On top of that, you should also keep snow off of it in order to keep any access doors on the generator from freezing shut.
You should also make sure that your path to the generator is clear during snowy weather. Make sure that it’s safe to walk to the generator and that you are wearing weather-appropriate clothing. If you are experiencing a winter power outage or want to prepare for one, check out our winter grid failure checklist to make sure you and your family are ready!
How do I Protect my Generac Generator’s Performance?
You should schedule regular maintenance for your generator. By doing so, you get the absolute most out of your generator’s performance by making sure it runs well and that it lasts as long as possible. Many authorized companies that sell generators offer annual maintenance contracts. It’s advised that you have your generator serviced once every six months or 200 hours.
To keep an eye on what shape your home standby generator is in simple, you can add the Mobile link feature! This lets you use your smartphone, computer, or tablet to check the status of your generator or get notifications when it needs something. With Mobile Link, you’ll always know what your generator is (or isn’t) doing!
Does my generator need a cover?
This is one of the areas where Generac® generators shine the brightest. Most of Generac®’s generators are sold with an aluminum enclosure that acts as a shell to protect the generator from weather conditions such as:
- Rain
- Snow
- Humidity
- Salt
These conditions can cause rust and/or corrosion in the generator itself. By equipping your generator with an aluminum enclosure, your system will operate effectively and efficiently for years to come!
Generate some peace of mind today!
Join the rapidly growing number of Texans that are taking their power into their own hands with a Generac® home standby generator. By installing a backup generator, you get the peace of mind that you just can’t put a price tag on. With a correctly sized generator, you can power your home for weeks at a time, no matter what the weather throws your way. You can even install a solar powered system and backup batteries with your home standby generator to maximize your energy independence and even sell your excess energy back to your utility provider!
If you are considering installing a backup generator or switching to solar for your home or business, reach out to us by going to our website, iestxsolar.com, or by giving us a call at (855) 447-6527.
Sources:
https://www.cnet.com/home/energy-and-utilities/texas-solar-panels/#:~:text=However%2C%20the%20Texas%20power%20grid,solar%20for%20increased%20energy%20independence.
https://www.houstonpress.com/news/demand-for-generators-and-solar-panels-heats-up-14667338
https://www.generac.com/service-support/faqs/home-backup-faqs
https://www.generac.com/be-prepared/products/cold-weather-kits
