The winter season is a special time filled with twinkling lights, warm gatherings, and delicious food. Sometimes, a sudden winter storm or an overloaded electrical grid can try to spoil the fun. Losing power when the house is full of family and the oven is humming can feel like a disaster. A home generator is a fantastic tool that can keep your home glowing and your celebration on track. However, you must use it correctly.
Generator Safety Before the Power Goes Out
Getting your generator ready before you actually need it is the smartest move you can make. Trying to prepare during an emergency can be disastrous because you may pay a lot more for repairs. You also may not be able to get help if the storm is bad enough.
Check your gas and oil to make sure everything is in good shape. Oil levels should be adequate, and you’ll want enough fuel to keep the generator running when you need it. If the fuel has been sitting for some time, it will gunk up. If this has happened to you, it needs to be replaced.
Make sure the generator is a safe distance from your house. Don’t run it inside a garage or shed because carbon monoxide will make its way inside and harm you and your family.
Keeping It Bright: Using Your Generator Correctly
When the power goes out, connecting your generator the right way is critical. This makes certain that everyone in your home and the utility workers fixing the electrical lines remain safe.
Never plug a generator directly into a wall outlet. This is called “back-feeding,” and it’s extremely dangerous because it can send power back through the grid and shock the utility workers who think the lines are dead. If you have a standby generator that turns on automatically, an automatic transfer switch handles everything safely. However, if you have a portable generator, you absolutely must use a manual transfer switch that an electrician installed to connect it to your house’s main electrical panel.
What to Plug In
A portable generator might not be able to run everything in your house. So, you should have a plan for which appliances matter most during an outage. Since you need to keep food from spoiling and stay warm, your refrigerator, freezer, and furnace should be your top priorities. If your portable generator can handle a few more items, you can plug in some lights and maybe a television so that the family can watch a movie. To avoid damaging your appliances or overloading your generator, always plug them into the generator one at a time. Make sure to let each one fully start up before plugging in the next one. For instance, the refrigerator motor needs a quick surge of energy to start. So, let it run for a minute before you connect the furnace.
If you haven’t had your generator professionally inspected, now is the time to get this done. That way, you have time to address any issues while the weather is still mild. Even in South Florida, cold fronts and sudden storms can cause power interruptions. Call the friendly folks at Assurance Power Systems for generator repairs, inspections, and maintenance to make sure your Delray Beach, FL home remains comfortable and safe.
