Is It Worth Getting A Home Generator?

If your power has gone out recently, and your neighbor’s home had the lights and AC on thanks to a whole house generator, you’re probably wondering if it’s worth it to buy one for your house. For most homeowners, the answer is yes. Here are a few reasons why getting a power generator is a good choice.

BOOSTING YOUR HOME’S VALUE

According to this Consumer Reports article, the installation of a whole house generator can increase the value of your home by 3 to 5 percent. If your home is priced at $500,000, this will boost its value by $15,000 to $25,000. That’s well over what you’re likely to pay to have a mid-sized generator installed, even if you get a top-rated brand like Generac.

INSURANCE SAVINGS

Many insurance companies will give you a discount on your home insurance if you have a whole house generator installed. This can mean 5 to 10% taken off of the property portion of your homeowners policy. The reason for this is pretty simple. When the power goes out, it shuts down important parts of your home, such as the heating and air conditioning system. This makes your home more likely to incur damage from extreme temperatures and moisture. Also, having some power available makes it more likely that you’ll stay at your house and take care of it instead of abandoning it until the power comes back on. These insurance savings can really add up over time.

KEEP THAT SUMP PUMP GOING

Does your basement have a sump pump? These little devices can really save your house when flooding strikes, unless you have no power. Having a home generator ensures that your sump pump can keep pumping dangerous amounts of water of your house even when things get rough. Even light to moderate flooding can do thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home, so don’t overlook this benefit.

WELL WATER

If you get your water from a well, your water system probably isn’t much good without electricity. Having a backup generator can keep that clean water supply going when the power fails. You not only need good water to drink, but you want to make sure your showers and toilets stay working as well. Just imagine life without them,

WORKING FROM HOME

If you work from home, it’s crucial to keep the power on. Laptops and smartphones only last so long. And your generator will keep your wifi router and modem in operation as well.

MEDICAL DEVICES

If you or a loved one depend on medical devices such as CPAP machines, insulin pumps, or nebulizers, remember that they depend on electricity. Losing access to them due to severe weather events could be a serious health hazard, on top of any other health risks that you may be experiencing in those situations.

IS YOUR REFRIGERATOR RUNNING?

Have you noticed your grocery costs going up lately? Grocery bills are often well over $150 per trip. If your power goes out, you risk the spoilage of hundreds of dollars worth of food and beverages. Then you have to throw it all away before it turns into mold in your refrigerator. Melted ice cream can drip all through your freezer, too. A backup generator can save it all, so you and your family can stay in your home and enjoy all the food you spend good money on. This means your kitchen appliances should work too, allowing you to cook the food. Many people have medications that need to stay cool too. A power outage can ruin them quickly.

PEACE OF MIND

Most whole home generators start up instantly when the power goes out, giving you seamless access to electricity. When you see news of a possible heavy storm, you can rest assured that your power will stay on. And you won’t even have to go outside in the storm to turn it on.

STAY PUT

When natural disasters strike, leaving the house can be dangerous. It can also be expensive, as fuel prices surge and hotel costs add up. Having a whole house generator means that you and your family don’t have to drive in adverse conditions looking for fuel or an open motel. And with your power still on, you can even gather on the couch and watch a movie. Seidel Electric Inc. helps home and business owners throughout the Blairstown, New Jersey area with advanced electrical solutions. Whether you need generator repair or want to install a new unit, our qualified technicians will arrive to offer friendly and professional support. Contact our team today to learn more about our services and financing options.