Generators offer peace of mind and convenience.

You’ve had a long day, and it’s time to kick back and enjoy some quiet time at home. Suddenly the lights go out, the refrigerator stops humming and all other appliances shut
off. Stumbling through the dark aided only by a small light from your cell phone, you anxiously wonder how long it will be before power is restored.

For those who have installed a standby natural gas generator, this inconvenience is easily prevented. During a power outage, a generator can provide a seamless transfer of power within 10 seconds.

“Installing a home standby (HSB) generator gives homeowners peace of mind,” said Keith Wasula, national account manager for Generac Power Systems Inc. “The uptick in severe storms and recent home-office transitions over the past year have put a greater spotlight on the concept of home as a ‘sanctuary.’”

When a utility power outage occurs due to a storm, vehicle accident or peak demand shortage, a generator’s automatic transfer switch senses utility power loss and begins the backup sequence within seconds, he said.

In a world of technology-driven convenience, maintaining power is vital. A generator will help keep the lights on and appliances working during an outage. For millions of home-based businesses, maintaining power can be invaluable. In more extreme situations, a generator will provide power during a hurricane or tornado and can protect the lives of children and the elderly. It can even mean the difference between life and death for those who rely on medical devices such as oxygen equipment to breathe.

“Whether it’s a TV, tablet or computer that keeps them powered and ensures that work or schooling can still be done from home,” said Melanie Tydrich, senior channel manager, residential and power products, Kohler Co. “All of this comfort, security and convenience adds up to priceless peace of mind for the homeowner.”

Ross and Leila Hallan of Arlington, Texas, can attest to the peace of mind and convenience that a natural gas generator provides. The couple’s home was among millions that lost power during the deadly, massive winter storm – billed ‘Snowmageddon’ – that struck Texas and neighboring states in February 2021.

Prolonged Arctic cold caused a huge electricity-generation failure that led to shortages of water, food and heat.

Seamless transition

Leila Hallan was returning from a brief stay at the hospital that day when the power went out and stayed off for about 12 hours. The couple was concerned about the heat being off and food in the
refrigerator spoiling.

“I called an installation company about getting a generator and they told me they had received 1,500 calls,” Ross Hallan said. Since then, the couple have installed a Generac Guardian 22-kilowatt (kW) home backup generator, which is wired into their garage’s main breaker panel. The natural gas generator is securely bolted outside onto a concrete foundation beside the house.

“The generator has come on two or three times since then,” he said. “The power fails and, literally, five seconds later, you hear a click, and the power is restored. It’s instant, with no flicker. All you
hear outside is the generator humming away. There’s no interruption. It’s sort of reassuring.”

Added Leila Hallan: “The only reason we know it comes on is when we hear it outside. You wouldn’t know it’s on. It’s no noisier than an air conditioner; it just has a different tone. And, it is seamless. When the power comes back on, the generator automatically shuts off.”

Backup generators can also protect the home from damages and expensive repairs after a power outage, Tydrich said. “Water damage from frozen pipes, mold issues from failed air conditioning and flood remediation from failed sump pumps are just a few of the outage-related costs that can add up fast.”

Generators can be sized and equipped to handle specific loads including heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems or an entire home. Each situation is different, and homeowners should consider their budget, use and criticality of specific systems or appliances.

A wide range of natural gas generators is available. For example, Generac’s Guardian 22kW air-cooled system and its 24kW machine are considered whole-home generators, capable of backing up the average American home. The Generac PowerPact 7.5 kW system can handle essentials such as lights, furnaces and refrigerators.

“Depending on the region, fuel type availability at the home – natural gas or liquid propane – and also potential code upgrades to a home’s circuit panel, a typical turnkey home standby installation can run between $8,500 and $15,000,” Wasula said.

Natural gas generators are permanently installed. They operate off the home’s utility gas or propane tank and are hard-wired into the electrical system via an automatic transfer switch. Because they are a permanent fixture, they can add resale value to the residence.

As far as maintenance, Wasula said a Generac generator will automatically be scheduled to exercise, or run, weekly for a few minutes to keep the unit active. At that time, it will not transfer a power load. An annual maintenance is required to maintain the warranty.

Before investing in a generator, homeowners should do their research. One place to start is to contact the local natural gas provider and electric company. In addition, Generac offers a direct-to-utility program through its Generac Grid Services division and Kohler provides additional information about generators and dealers.

This article originally appeared in the Spring/Summer 2022 issue of Natural Living, and was authored by Monica Stavish Skaggs. To read more articles about utilizing natural gas in your home in Natural Living, click here.