Nobody wakes up hoping their home will have a power outage that day. They can be extremely disruptive - having to navigate your home in the dark, inability to do work or anything else you need power for! - plus majorly expensive if all of the food in your refrigerator and freezer spoil. And if someone in your home relies on an electrically powered medical device, a loss of power could pose a major medical threat.
Some other home health related reasons to consider investing in a generator include if you rely on a sump pump to keep your basement dry or use well water and rely on power for your well pump and filtration system.
Most power outages are weather-related. As the number and severity of extreme weather events continues to rise, so does the likelihood of blackouts.
Enter a solution: the home generator.
Home generators come in a variety of types and sizes, from portable versions to hard wired (standby) and inverter units.
Portable generators typically run on gasoline and need to be operated at a safe distance from any structure. Standby generators start automatically when the power goes out and are run on propane or natural gas. Inverter generators have a more complex engine than the other types and are much quieter than their conventional counterparts. Regardless of which type of generator you choose, you will need to follow the manufacturer recommendations for safe operation of the unit.
So..what's the cost?
Portable generators typically range from $200 to $6,000, while whole-house generators can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 or more, depending on size, fuel type, and installation costs.
Insurance companies view whole house generators as a proactive measure to mitigate risks associated with power outages. Homeowners can often receive insurance discounts by installing automatic backup generators...be sure to inquire with your home insurance company if you are considering the installation of a generator, or have one already.
And generators aren't just helpful in emergencies. Some other reasons you may consider a generator including needing power outdoors for a party or to use power tools.
On the real estate side, we typically find that when a home offers a generator, especially at the shore where power outages are more common, it presents a huge benefit and buyers love this!
As always, if you have any questions as you navigate considering a home generator, we are here for you.