| Power failures due to extreme weather, high | | | | propane), and a few lights. Due to the large |
| power usage, aging utilities, and other | | | | amount of power required by central air |
| unpredictable events continue to increase | | | | conditioning units on startup even the most |
| nationwide. Any restaurant that has been forced | | | | powerful portable generators are not enough to |
| to dispose of spoiled meat and produce can tell | | | | run central air. However a small window unit can |
| you how expensive even a short power outage | | | | be powered by some of the larger portable units. |
| can be. | | | | Standby generators are available from |
| In the winter of 06-07 parts of Arkansas, Illinois, | | | | $1500-$70,000+ and are the type used in homes |
| Kansas, and Missouri were without power for up | | | | to hospitals. These models usually require a small |
| to two weeks. In the meantime business and | | | | concrete pad for them to be mounted on and are |
| homeowners were forced to deal with frozen | | | | wired into the buildings electrical panel with the use |
| pipes, flooded basements, cold buildings, darkness, | | | | of a transfer switch. Normally powered by diesel |
| and lack of running water. Trying to find a | | | | fuel, natural gas, or propane these generators can |
| portable generator to purchase or rent during this | | | | be set to come on automatically upon the loss of |
| period became nearly impossible. Whether you are | | | | power. Properly installed the transition from grid |
| a business or homeowner a backup power source | | | | to backup power is a nearly seamless flickering of |
| is a good investment, think of it as an insurance | | | | the lights and can be setup to run only a few |
| policy against discomfort and loss of profits. | | | | essential circuits or the whole building including |
| There are two types of generators available that | | | | central air conditioning. Standby generators are |
| can be used as a source of power, portable or | | | | always there, well standing by, in case they are |
| standby. In the event you are considering such a | | | | needed and will even start themselves once a |
| purchase I recommend doing your homework | | | | week or so to charge the battery and circulate |
| very carefully. The internet and any reputable | | | | fluids so they will be ready when required. |
| generator dealer are great sources for this | | | | Caution should always be used around any |
| information. A licensed electrician should also be | | | | generator and the manufacturers |
| consulted and hired before any installation begins. | | | | recommendations followed to the letter due to |
| Portable generators are available from | | | | the obvious dangers posed by these devices. |
| $500-$3500 and are the type you see on | | | | Under no circumstances should a generator be |
| construction sites and campgrounds. These are | | | | hooked to a buildings wiring system by the |
| normally powered by gasoline or diesel fuel and | | | | practice commonly known as back-feeding! This |
| are easily transported with a pickup truck. | | | | practice is extremely dangerous and is life |
| Depending on your power needs an investment | | | | threatening to people even miles away, not to |
| of around $1000 is enough to power a few | | | | mention being illegal in most localities. The use of a |
| essential items in the average home such as | | | | transfer switch and licensed electrician to install it |
| sump pump, well pump, deep freeze, refrigerator, | | | | is the only safe and proper way to go. |
| television, forced air furnace (natural gas or | | | | |