When you are considering a generator purchase, you likely have a lot of questions. Because we are an authorized dealer of Generac brand generators, we have the answers you need! Today we will be discussing some common generator questions. If you are looking to purchase and install a new generator, or are unsure about the generator you own – we can help.

Sarasota residential generators for sale

Generator FAQs

  1. How does a standby generator work? If the generator is permanently installed at your home, it will run either on liquid propane or natural gas from your home. The unit will sit outside of the residence and wait until it is needed. If a power outage occurs, the unit will automatically kick on. Therefore, if you are away from home and your neighborhood loses power, you don’t have to worry about your freezer thawing out, or your A/C shutting down. The unit is completely automatic, and will shut itself off when the power is restored.
  2. How long does it take for my generator to turn on? The generator will typically turn on within 15 seconds of your home losing power. IT will then require 10-15 seconds to power up to capacity. This means that if you lose power, your generator will take over within about 30 seconds – you’ll barely notice the downtime!
  3. How long will my generator power my home? Like a car engine, as long as your generator has fuel and oil, it will keep running. Theoretically, it should go on indefinitely. However, because it is a piece of machinery, it will run most optimally if it is being consistently maintained. Manufacturers generally recommend shutting down the generator for 15 minutes every 24 hours of use, in order to check oil levels and refuel if necessary. Because Sarasota residents can experience long power outages after a severe storm, proper maintenance of your unit is critical.
  4. Do I need to maintain or inspect the unit if I haven’t used it? Generators kick on when they are needed. If you have not experienced a power outage at your home, you still should regularly maintain your unit. Technicians can come out to your house and test to make sure all systems are running properly, and that the oil and fuel lines are clear. The last thing you want to see happen is that you find out your unit isn’t working properly after the power has gone out. For best results, sign on to a local dealer’s generator maintenance plan.
  5. Is it expensive to run the generator? The cost of running the generator is associated with how much fuel you need. Propane is a little less expensive but needs to be refilled, while tapping into your home’s natural gas lines will provide a constant source of energy. In the end, how much it costs will be determined by how long the outage was, and how many appliances you want to run. But let’s face it – if your power goes out in August, the cost to keep the A/C on is irrelevant to most of us – we just want to stay cool! Plus an extended outage could cause us to lose all the food in our refrigerator or freezer – so really, the cost of gas is not too much of a concern for most homeowners.
  6. Is the generator loud when it is running? Most generators will not exceed the decibel level of your standard air conditioner. Standby (permanently installed) generators are actually much more quiet than portable generators. The larger units are the quietest of them all, as their engines are more powerful and do not have to work quite so hard to generate power.

At Promise Electric we not only sell generators, but we professionally install and maintain them. From the day you purchase your generator, we partner with you to make sure your generator is not only working well on Day 1, but for the life of the unit. Call us today for more information on which generator is right for you, or with any generator questions you may have.