Three Things to Know Before You Invest in a Generator

Natural disasters around the country – including in California – have led many people to consider having a generator installed. This might be a good option for you or your business, but we encourage you to read the following three facts before you make a decision. You can contact Sonner Electric at 661-728-0126 if you have questions about the best option.

There is a Correct Way to Use a Generator

At Sonner Electric, we can install standby generators. However, you might elect to use a different type. If so, make sure that you keep it outside. It should never be in a closed area. Your outlets on the generator need to be GFCI protected. If you are planning to back-feed the generator into your home, make sure that you have a certified electrician handle this because back-feeding is extremely dangerous. We can talk to you about the potential of having a transfer switch installed.

There Are Incorrect Ways to Use Generators

You should never back-feed electrical through the electrical system unless you have the right transfer switch setup to do so safely. If you do, you will feed power to your home, but you will also be feeding power to the transformer, and this could put your neighbors – and linemen – in danger. It could also cause damage to your appliances and electronics.

Your generator should not be in a closed space – that includes garages. You should not have a generator near your air conditioning window unit because it can then suck carbon monoxide into the AC unit and then into your home. Likewise, your generator should never sit in a wet area. Even though it will be GFCI protected, you still do not want it to sit in water.

Make Sure You Get the Right Generator

Not all generators are created equally. Before buying a generator, ask yourself what your goals are. Do you need to run your fridge and a few outlets, or do you want the whole house to run on your generator? There are generators that run off natural gas, diesel, or propane. Sizes range between 20kw to 100kw. Do you know which one will work best?

One of the advantages of working with Sonner Electric is that we can check your home’s load and find the right size. We can answer any questions you have and look at the many options available to you. We will help you determine the right choice for your needs. Call us now at 661-728-0126 to get started.