Backup Generators and UPS: Keeping Power On

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Whether you run a business that would be negatively impacted by a power outage or you worry about how you and your family would survive without having power in your home for an extended period, you should consider installing a backup generator or an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) so that you don’t have to worry about either of those scenarios. You should also learn the differences between a backup generator and a UPS so that you know which one is a better option for you.

Backup generators and UPS are both great for preventing serious damage to electronics and the loss of data that you have stored. They are also both able to keep the power running in a home or business in the event of a power outage.

Backup Power GenerationBut the biggest difference between them – and the thing that makes backup generators a better option for most people – is that backup generators are able to stay on a lot longer than uninterrupted power supplies. In fact, many backup generators are designed to last for as long as you need them to, provided you have them connected to a fuel source. On the other hand, a UPS kicks on following a power loss, but is only designed to provide short-term power. A UPS will give you the time you need to power down electronics and save valuable data, which is why many data and computer centers choose to use them, but a UPS relies on a battery to keep it going, and like any battery, the amount of power that it can provide is limited.

When it comes right down to it, only you can decide whether a backup generator or a UPS is better choice for you. But the average home or business owner will find that a backup generator will be the more convenient option to keep the power on in whatever circumstances may occur. Kenzie Backup Generator Systems can speak with you about how one of our generators can benefit you and show you some of the whole-home and business generator options we can install for you. To learn more, give our experts a call today at 301-469-7800 or request a quote online to find out how a generator can keep you and your home or business protected.

Advantages of Permanent Generators vs. Portable Generators

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Permanent Generators Losing power as a result of a hurricane, snowstorm or another weather-related event or service downtime can be incredibly frustrating. If the power doesn’t return to your home for several hours – or, in a worst-case scenario, several days – you could be forced to throw out food that has gone bad, layer up your clothing to prevent the cold from affecting you, or even suffer from burst pipes or other issues as your home cools to the point where it affects your plumbing.

All of these reasons and more are why the New York Times says more and more homeowners have turned to generators in recent years to keep the power coming to their homes during outages.

If you are considering investing in a generator, you will typically be considering two main options: A portable generator or a permanent generator. Portable generators are typically cheaper than permanent generators and, during short power outages, they will do the trick once you pull them out of storage and get them going. But in general, installing a permanent generator is a much better idea and will absolutely prove to be a better long-term investment.

Permanent generators are safer and quieter than portable options and designed to start automatically at the first sign of power loss which means there’s no need to fuss with unburying your generator and hoping you remembered to gas it up and maintain it between uses. These generators are also nearly impossible to steal since they are large fixtures and hardwired to your home, which adds security and peace of mind.

These generators are also able to provide enough power to keep your entire home or selected circuits powered for days on end. In fact, if you have a permanent generator hooked up to a natural gas line, it can usually provide power for the full length of any outage, which means you will be able to go about your business as normal even when your neighbors are still waiting for the lights to come back on. With a backup generator installation, regular maintenance and routine inspection done by the team at Kinzie Backup Generator Systems, you’ll never have to worry about power becoming a problem for you or your family.

Best of all, permanent generators will usually increase the value of your home, as well, and provide another great selling point if you list your home on the market in the future. So what are you waiting for? If you have been thinking about having a generator installed, Kinzie Backup Generator Systems can give you a quote and walk you through all of the benefits having a system installed. Give us a call at 301-469-7800 today for more information.

Whole Home or Select Circuit: What’s the Difference?

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Power OutagesIt’s never a good thing when our homes lose power. However, having a backup generator can help you keep the lights on even when everyone else on the street is in the dark. If you’re looking for one for your home, chances are you’re trying to decide whether you want to configure a whole home or select circuit generator system. Both provide backup power, but what’s the difference between the two?

Whole Home Systems

A whole home generator is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. This type of backup system includes a generator with enough electricity-generating capacity to back up the electrical service for all of the breaker panels in your house. This means that when the power goes out, the whole home system will kick on and power up everything within your home. Once it does, it will seem as through you haven’t lost power at all and you will be able to go about your day as you normally would.

Select Circuit Systems

As for a select circuit, that involves having a generator attached to only the circuits you would need most if an outage occurred. These systems work by connecting the generator to a breaker panel with a 100- or 200-amp automatic transfer switch. When the system detects a loss of power, these select breakers are then powered back up by the generator. This type of system is perfect for anyone who realizes outages are normally temporary but want to keep the essentials, such as heat, targeted lighting and kitchen appliances running during the down time.

Pricing a System

Pricing for these different backup systems varies for two different reasons. Whole home systems are priced out by the size of the home they will be serving. Larger homes with a higher power demand will require a more powerful system. Select circuit systems, on the other hand, don’t need to provide complete power, but instead targeted electricity, which means that these systems have a more adaptable price that is based on how many distinct breakers will be served by the backup system.

If you’re interested in getting a backup generator system installed for your home, Kinzie Backup Generator Systems can help. For more information or to have a system installedwhy call us today at 301-469-7800 today!

 

Winter Maintenance for Your Backup System

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A backup generator system is incredibly worthwhile, especially during the winter months. If a storm or other problem with electrical service in your area causes your home to lose power, having a backup system installed ensures that your home will stay lit and warm during the inclement weather.

Preventative MaintenanceWhen service is turned off to a home during the winter months, the situation can become dangerous quickly. The temperature inside of your home can dip down to a dangerous level within just a few hours, and in addition to the discomfort and health risk of this cold, there is also an increased chance that the pipes in your home will freeze and burst, creating a big mess if power isn’t restored quickly. It’s why many homeowners have chosen to install backup generator systems to protect themselves in the event of a power outage.

You need to do more than just install a backup generator system to protect your home, though. You also need to do preventative maintenance on it and winterize your system so that it’s ready to go if your home ever loses power during the winter months. So what’s involved with winterizing a backup generator?

To start, it’s important to test and run your backup generator system before it starts getting cold outside. This allows you to see how the system runs and identify any potential problems with its operation. If you notice that your generator is running strangely, sputtering or showing any other symptoms of irregular operation, call for maintenance on your system to ensure that it’s winter ready.

You should also change the oil and oil filter in your backup generator system to make sure that all lubricants are fresh and ready to keep the motor running during the cooler months. You’ll also want to check the condition of electrical components within the generator, including the battery, spark plugs and ignition contact points. During the winter months, you’ll also want to inspect your generator regularly and prevent snow and ice from building up on or around the unit. This can block ventilation or put stress on the generator that can impact proper operation when you need it most.

At Kinzie Backup Generator Systems, we can help you make sure you’re ready for winter with our preventative maintenance service. We inspect your backup generator, perform an oil change annually, inspect all connections, hoses and belts for leaks and much more. Best of all, when you buy a new generator system from us, you’ll receive two free maintenance visits during the first year to help you make sure that your system is ready to go whenever the power goes out.

The last thing you want to do is wait until it’s too late to seek service. Whether you need maintenance for your existing system or are interested in learning more about installing a new backup generator, find out more today by calling Kinzie Backup Generator Systems at 301-469-7800.

Backup Generators – A ‘Sound’ Choice

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Backup Generators Installing a backup generator outside of your home is a great way to ensure that you can continue to go about your business in the event of a power failure. But one of the biggest complaints that homeowners often have when it comes to backup generators is that they can be incredibly noisy. Generators made by companies like Kohler, Generac and Briggs will often make a lot of noise and can cause friction between neighbors. Fortunately, though, there is one company that makes keeping the noise down a priority in the design and construction of its backup generators.

Cummins generators are the quietest generators on the market right now, and you will be doing a service to both yourself and your neighbors when you purchase one. Often times, local governments and homeowner associations will limit the amount of noise that you are allowed to make with a generator. For example, Montgomery County in Maryland has a noise limit of 65 decibels during the day and 55 decibels at night. If your generator makes more noise than that, you could be subjected to fines, and you will surely upset those around you who are forced to listen to your generator all day and all night long.

With a Cummins generator, however, you won’t have to worry about making too much noise, since the company has worked tirelessly to create quieter models. The Cummins RS-20kw – one of the most popular Cummins models – registers at just 62dba, for example, which is significantly less than similarly capable Kohler, Generac and Briggs models.

If you are thinking about installing a new generator outside of your home, you should seriously consider getting one manufactured by Cummins. Kinzie Backup Generator Systems can educate you more about them and even provide you with an on-site demonstration to allow you to hear for yourself the difference of sound production from one of these units while running.

Learn more about installing a Cummins generator or request an appointment to learn more by calling Kinzie Backup Generator Systems at 301-469-7800 today.