If you’ve ever experienced a power outage, you’ll know firsthand just how tough it is to live without electricity. We rely on it for almost everything, and the consequences of being stranded without power range from mildly annoying to downright disastrous. As master Reno electricians, we’ve run into many problems with power outages before, and depending on the client’s situation, the severity of the fallout has varied. In almost every case, though, clients could have benefited from an emergency power system.
Today, we’re going to discuss some of the different emergency power systems you can integrate into your home or commercial space and why you might need them.
Why You Might Need an Emergency Power System
If you’re like most people, you rely on your power grid to keep you safe and comfortable at home. But sometimes, unforeseeable circumstances occur, and the power grid you’ve come to rely on will fail. This could be due to maintenance issues, weather, or other external factors. Texas, for example, experienced massive power outages thanks to a snowfall that led to thousands of people freezing in their homes. In the summer, city power grids are often overloaded, and grid-wide blackouts occur. In Reno, nearly 6,000 people lost power in August, one of the hottest months of the year. To avoid being stuck in the heat next year, an emergency power system can be installed by a Reno electrician to protect you and yours from the heat.
A power outage also can lead to massive amounts of food waste, hours of lost operations time, and huge decreases in revenue. As the weather continues to get more unpredictable in the face of urban sprawl, power grids are going to become more crowded and less resilient to weather conditions — this means that the future of power and energy is up in the air. The best way to be prepared is by investing in an emergency power system — you never know when something could happen!
An Emergency Power System for Your Home
If you’re looking for a backup power system for your home, there are plenty of options to choose from. But the most important thing to consider when selecting a backup power option is whether the system can provide enough energy to power all of your devices at once.
A portable generator is perhaps the most popular option for suburban homes. It’s easy to store, easy to set up at various locations, and can provide up to 1,500-kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per day — which is enough power for most suburban homes. Portable generators are also relatively inexpensive but require fuel and maintenance.
If you have a lot of electrical equipment that requires continuous use like air conditioning units and refrigerators, it might be best to consider investing in a permanent or fixed generator instead of portable generators. The fixed variety doesn’t require as much maintenance as portable generators do. Plus, if you live in a high-crime area, these generators cannot be stolen, as they’re permanent installations.
Emergency Power Systems for Your Commercial or Industrial Site
If you’re concerned about the safety of your business, it’s essential to have a backup power plan in place. If the power goes out, even for a few minutes, it could put your company’s productivity at risk and potentially cost you money.
If you have a standalone building, you could power your operation with a small, permanent generator that has been installed by a licensed electrician. However, if you are part of a series of units, like a mall, the site will likely have emergency generators installed. However, it’s still a good idea to invest in a small portable generator in case of emergency.
Depending on your power needs, you will need differing amounts of electricity — so the size of your generator will vary. If you’re unsure how much power your standby system should have, speak to an electrician who can give you an expert opinion.
We hope you’ve learned a lot about electrical systems and how to keep yourself safe. We know that it’s easy to forget about them, but if you’re in an emergency situation, you’re going to want to be sure you know how to use your electrical system safely.
It’s also important to remember that electrical systems aren’t just for emergencies — they can help you with day-to-day tasks as well. You can use your electrical system to turn on lights or appliances when the power goes out, and even just having a backup generator will allow you to keep your fridge running so that food doesn’t spoil!
If you ever have questions about your electrical work and need a Reno Electrician, contact us at Lakeview Electric!