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1. Purpose
2. How It Works
3. Generator Size
4. Maintenance
5. Cost of Installation
1. Purpose
The purpose of a home standby generator is to provide a reliable source of backup power to keep your home and family safe and comfortable during a power outage. This can be especially important during extreme weather events or natural disasters when power outages can last for several days or longer.
2. How It Works
- The home standby generator is permanently installed outside your home and is connected directly to your electrical system. The generator is also connected to a fuel source. This will either be natural gas or propane.
- When there is a power outage, the generator's transfer switch automatically disconnects your home from the utility power grid and connects it to the generator.
-The generator's engine is started, with a battery, and begins generating electricity.
-The generator's power is transferred to your home's electrical system through the transfer switch, which directs the electricity to the circuits and appliances that need power during the outage.
-The entire process of losing power from the utility company to regaining power through your generator is about 15 seconds.
-When the utility power is restored, the transfer switch automatically disconnects the generator and reconnects your home to the grid.
-The generator's engine is then shut down and returns to standby mode until it is needed again.
3. Generator Size
The generator size is determined by the electrical load of the house. The larger loads of the house will usually be HVAC systems, dryers, and kitchen appliances. If the generator is backing up every circuit within the house the generator will need to be large enough to power the entire house. A sizing tool is used to calculate which size generator is right for your house. Most whole house generators are either 22kw, 24kw, or 26kw.
4. Maintenance
The standby generator is similar to a car in the sense that it has a small engine, battery, and oil filter. This unit must be maintained to ensure longevity. Annual maintenance is highly recommended.
5. Cost of Installation
The normal range for complete installation in East TN is between $12,000 and $16,000 with the most common installation being about $13,500. This includes full installation and materials. We offer a monthly payment option through Synchrony Finance that would start at $165/month for complete installation.