Wild weather is a given in the Sarasota area, especially during the summer. And although power outages don’t happen often, they do tend to occur a few times per year. Some outages are quickly remedied, but some last for days. More and more residents are seeing the benefits to having their own generator to deal with these situations.
Of course, Floridians love the idea of generators for other reasons as well – after all, we love to live our lives outdoors. But whatever the reason you are considering a backup power source, the generator model you choose will make a difference in how well it works for your situation. Here is a brief rundown of the generator types you may wish to consider.
Which Generator Model Should You Choose?
- Portable Generators: There are many types of portable generators, and they can help you out in many situations. All of them provide power with mobility. These range from small, handheld generators to larger portable generators on wheels and encased in a protective steel frame. While portable generators have traditionally been used for recreational or work purposes (onsite construction, for instance) they are becoming increasingly popular with Sarasota area homeowners who want a way to weather our power outages. They can generate more than enough to get families through a short outage without too much discomfort. These units are also popular with weekend campers and tailgaters.
- Standby Generators: The standby generator model is showing up more and more on residential and commercial properties in this area. A standby generator is permanently installed at your home or facility, and essentially operates as an emergency “power plants”. These units are fueled by gas or propane, routing electricity into the home through a previously installed, automatic transfer switch. This switch will automatically start and stop the generator, and will regulate which appliances and fixtures are supported by the standby power – and in what order. People with standby generator models do not suffer any downtime in the event of a power outage – unless of course, the unit was improperly maintained or has not been refilled with gas from the last usage.
- RV Power Generators: Recreational vehicles are all the rage, and adventure seekers across the country are discovering the joys of the open road. While RV’s offer the opportunity to hook into electrical power at campsites, you may often find yourself in a more remote area without hookups – or boondocking in parking lots. RV generator models differ from small, recreational portable generators in they provide enough juice to power the A/C unit in your RV. They can even run off your existing gas or propane tanks, and can be housed in your outdoor compartments. Did You know? When thousands of area residents flocked to campgrounds in Georgia and Tennessee to escape Hurricane Michael in 2017, facilities did their best to handle the overflow. However, they ran out of sites quickly, and opened up grassy areas for people to park. Many RV owners found themselves safe and dry, but sitting in an open field with no hookups. Power generators, even in RVs, will help to deal with unexpected circumstances.
- PTO Generators: If you maintain land and have a large tractor, you may find a power takeoff (PTO) generator useful. As generators are basically an engine and an alternator, some farmers will attach a PTO generators (essentially a fancy alternators) to the tractor engine to create electricity.
Which generator model is right for you? The team at Promise Electric can help you decide. we will listen to your concerns and power needs and consider your budget – then help you to decide on the very best option for your home or business. Not only are we master electricians, we are an authorized dealer – trained specifically to install and maintain these units. Call us today.
