BURCH OIL

Most people are not prepared to handle a power outage. Without electricity powering your home, frozen produce inside your freezer will thaw, lights will shut off, telephone lines will be down, the central heating will not work, and your water supply will stop pumping clean water. The scenario, however, will be different—and much brighter—if you have a permanently installed Generac backup generator to take away the worry of power outages. 

Burch Oil, a heating oil and delivery contractor, talks about home backup generators carried by Generac, including their basic features and benefits.

Reasons You Need a Home Backup Generator

A standby generator outside of your home delivers several benefits, namely preparedness, protection, and peace of mind. When you lose power, the equipment will automatically start itself and provide power back to your house within 30 seconds. When the electricity is up and running, it will automatically shut down and wait for the next outage. Whether you are at home or away, a standby generator is ready to assume control of your electrical needs and restore essential items, such as refrigeration, climate control, and lighting. 

Unlike portable generators, which provide electricity by running a gas-fired engine that turns an onboard alternator into electricity to generate power, automatic generators get its fuel directly from the natural gas line or liquid propane tank. There is no need to scurry outside, run a maze of extension cords, or bother with gasoline.

Basic Features and Benefits of Generac Home Backup Generators

1. Automatic Operation

With a Generac home backup generator, you will not have to worry about having to be there to start and turn off your equipment because it does that automatically, whether you are home, away at work, or on vacation. When an outage occurs, say our heating oil experts, your generator will begin supplying power to your home within seconds. And then, it will signal the automatic transfer switch to disconnect the utility lines and connect power from the equipment. Finally, when the power is restored, your Generac generator will reconnect your home to the utility and shut itself down.

Anyone who has ever stood in the rain during subzero temperatures attempting to manually start a portable generator will appreciate the automatic startup of a Generac generator.

2. Safety and Reliability 

Preferred by seven out of every 10 homeowners who invest in backup power, Generac is the top-selling brand of home backup generators — and for great reasons. When it comes to safety and reliability, you simply cannot beat a Generac generator for your residence. Its installation meets all local building codes, fire regulations, and National Electrical Codes. Also, electrical connections operate in concert with your circuit breaker panel to eliminate a long list of common hazards. This is because it works with your heating and air conditioning along with other appliances automatically. Certified installers also place the backup generator in a place where no exhaust fumes can enter your home, getting rid of the serious risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. A Generac home generator may even qualify for a discount on your homeowner’s insurance, but make sure to inquire your agent about it to confirm.

Our trusted heating oil specialist continues that a Generac home backup generator also starts and runs in any kind of weather condition, be it a hurricane, windstorm, or sleet. Even in the summer season when an overloaded electrical grid surrenders to a heatwave, operating the equipment is a no-brainer. 

3. Refueling Is Not Necessary 

Generators need fuel to run. Even mid-sized portable generators can consume up to 20 gallons of gasoline in a day, and that is while running at half their rated load. That covers the fridge, freezer, and sump pump. If there is enough leftover and the power is clean, a portable can also switch on a light or two and recharge a mobile phone.

With a Generac home backup generator, however, you can save gas cans for your other outdoor power equipment since refueling it is not much of a worry. According to an HVAC services provider, it runs on natural gas from municipal gas lines or LP gas from your home tank. On natural gas, the supply is virtually unlimited. On propane, the runtime depends on the size of your tank, though it is not unreasonable to expect at least a week or two of 24-hours-a-day operation. In fact, a lot of Generac generator runtimes surpass most long-term outages.

4. Remote Monitoring

Mobile Link is a free remote monitoring service that comes with Generac home backup generators. With it, you can have full access to your generator from anywhere in the world using a smartphone, tablet, or other device. You can also check the current operating status, set exercise periods, and schedule maintenance. Mobile Link lets you know that your equipment is always ready for the next power outage, giving you peace of mind.

How to Size a Generator

When selecting the appropriate generator for your home, you must first take into account the number of circuits or rooms you want to protect. The more circuits that require an uninterrupted power supply, the larger the standby generator you need. To get accurate sizing requirements of a Generac generator, a licensed electrician will need to apply an amp meter to the appliances and circuits you intend to run on backup power.

Automatic Home Generator Maintenance

In addition to HVAC services, you need to perform preventive maintenance on your standby generator to keep the engine ready to run smoothly in the event of a power outage. A generator maintenance plan involves performing a weekly set of simple and straightforward tasks, checking the engine oil and coolant levels once a month, and hiring a certified technician to perform an in-depth inspection every six to 12 months.

• Weekly: Once a week, experts recommend running your generator at full capacity for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. This heats up the lubricating oil to operating temperature and lets it circulate within the engine. Double-check whether the unit has sufficient fueling levels and make sure there are no fueling leaks. Keep the generator set to “auto” for automatic startup in case of an outage.

• Monthly: Once a month, check the engine oil level and coolant level. Low oil or low coolant level is one of the most common reasons a generator malfunctions. To check the coolant level, look at the level in the catch tank located inside the engine. If it is running low, it should be replenished. To check the oil level, remove the dipstick, clean it with a rag, and replace it. You should not, however, check the oil right after running the engine. Wait at least 10 minutes after shutting down the unit.

• Annually or Biannually: Every six to 12 months, hire a technician for a thorough inspection of your standby generator. The technician will lubricate the oil filters and look for oil leaks. They will also check the fuel line filters and air-intake filters, replace them at regular intervals and inspect other components, such as belt drives, batteries, and spark plugs if deemed necessary. Most dealers offer maintenance packages for standby generators they sell. If you use your backup generator frequently or if the unit is exposed to extreme moisture, dust, heat, or cold, it will be a smart move to schedule your service appointments every six months.

Contact Professionals for All Your Heating Needs

Burch Oil is the place to stop for top-rated heating and air conditioning services, including the installation of Generac home backup generators, in Southern Maryland. You can count on our certified team of technicians to provide the level of comfort and efficiency that you and your home deserve in no time. Our other services include a number of heating oil and delivery options. Contact us to schedule a service appointment or request a free quote. Just give us a call at (301) 298-1673 or fill out our contact form and we will send one of our specialists to your home.