Are you prepared for winter? From late December through January, tens of thousands lost power, thanks to freezing temperatures and powerful winter storms. According to USA Today, Christmas Day ice storms killed 17 residents in the Northeastern U.S.; thousands of others relocated to emergency warming shelters.
Recent tragedies remind us of the importance of staying warm, informed, and well-fed during extreme weather. Residents and business owners alike can prepare for the worst by stockpiling supplies and purchasing portable or industrial generators. What generator will work best for you?
Residential Generators
Average residential generators or portable generating sets output 3,000 to 8,500 watts of power and cost approximately $400 to $1,000 each, according to The Boston Globe. These relatively modestly sized units are capable of powering household appliances (including refrigerators!) and most light fixtures. Home generators can be easily moved and stowed, and most run on widely accessible fuels, such as gasoline and natural gas.
Homeowners should keep in mind, however, that small, portable units cannot easily maintain homes’ heating or central air conditioning systems. If residents plan to rely on generators in extreme climates or weather, a slightly more expensive, whole home generator is a worthwhile investment.
Industrial Generators
Harsh weather conditions do not affect U.S. households alone. If anything, businesses have much more to lose than people in their homes and apartments. Storms and power outages may result in damaged or spoiled stock, lost sales, and lost productivity. It is especially important for businesses to purchase commercial generators.
Large, commercial generators produce 5,000 to 15,000 watts of power — enough to keep businesses up and running in all kinds of weather. Large-scale generators run on relatively safe fuels, such as natural gas or propane. Business owners do not have to worry about storing large amounts of flammable gasoline. Industrial generators, however, can be relatively expensive; a single unit ranges from $5,000 to $10,000.
Having power in harsh winter storms and extreme weather can save lives. Consumers can choose between small and easy to store portable generators, or heavy-duty industrial units. Good refereneces: genstarpower.com
