Tag: Backup Generators Installations

Power lines covered in ice after a winter storm that caused power outage

What To Do If Your Power Goes Out

Written by justin on January 2, 2022. Posted in Power Outages.

With the winter season just beginning, you can be sure that the inevitable snowstorm is coming your way. These storms are a threat to electrical equipment. When snow and ice create buildup on power lines, the weight can cause them to break. Tree limbs can also become heavy with snow and ice, causing them to snap and fall onto power lines.

A home power outage can happen with electrical equipment down and not functional. Having all your power shut off at once can lead to utter panic but remaining calm and rational during an outage is important. When you have a plan in place, you are relieved from extra stress and anxiety.

Power Outage Checklist

Call your utility company. Your utility company is responsible for restoring service during power outages, damaged power lines, and other electrical emergencies. They must be aware of your outage to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
Protect your appliances. Invest in a surge protector to ensure your appliances and electronics are protected ahead of time. When the power goes out, unplug important appliances, such as TVs, computers, or large appliances, if it is safe to do so. Leave just one light turned on so you can tell when the power comes back.
Gather flashlights. Do not use candles for light or warmth, as they are a serious fire hazard.
Keep refrigerator doors closed. Food in an unopened fridge should stay cold for about four hours. A half-full freezer should keep the temperature for 24 hours and a full freezer for about 48 hours.
Have an emergency kit on hand. This step requires some preparation ahead of time but will pay off in the long run. Prepare your emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, extra batteries, medical supplies, extra clothes, and blankets. Having these items on deck will prevent you from having to find them in the dark.

Invest In A Backup Generator

The easiest way to function in your home with a power outage is to invest in a backup generator. Generators can keep your lights on during electrical outages and necessary power appliances. Every home should have a backup generator to avoid the inconveniences and dangerous situations having no electricity can put them in.

If you want to save you and your family the struggle of trying to survive without power this stormy cold season, call (301)365-4226 to contact a professional generator installer. GenTech Generators provides one free preventative maintenance visit with the purchase of a generator so you can be sure to have a safe and working generator this winter.

Backup Generators – A ‘Sound’ Choice

Written by justin on May 11, 2021. Posted in Backup Generators, Backup Generators for Businesses, Blackouts, Cummins Backup Generators, Hurricanes, Power Outages, Storm Preparedness, Uncategorized.

Installing a backup generator outside of your home is a great way to ensure that you can continue to go about your business in the event of a power failure. But one of the biggest complaints that homeowners often have when it comes to backup generators is that they can be incredibly noisy. Generators made by companies like Kohler, Generac and Briggs will often make a lot of noise and can cause friction between neighbors. Fortunately, though, there is one company that makes keeping the noise down a priority in the design and construction of its backup generators.

Cummins generators are the quietest generators on the market right now, and you will be doing a service to both yourself and your neighbors when you purchase one. Often times, local governments and homeowner associations will limit the amount of noise that you are allowed to make with a generator. For example, Montgomery County in Maryland has a noise limit of 65 decibels during the day and 55 decibels at night. If your generator makes more noise than that, you could be subjected to fines, and you will surely upset those around you who are forced to listen to your generator all day and all night long.

With a Cummins generator, however, you won’t have to worry about making too much noise, since the company has worked tirelessly to create quieter models. The Cummins RS-20kw – one of the most popular Cummins models – registers at just 62dba, for example, which is significantly less than similarly capable Kohler, Generac and Briggs models.

If you are thinking about installing a new generator outside of your home, you should seriously consider getting one manufactured by Cummins. GenTech Generators can educate you more about them and even provide you with an on-site demonstration to allow you to hear for yourself the difference of sound production from one of these units while running.

Learn more about installing a Cummins generator or request an appointment to learn more by calling GenTech Generators at 301-469-7800 today.

Businesses that Need Backup Generators

Written by justin on March 31, 2021. Posted in Backup Generators, Backup Generators for Businesses, Blackouts, Cummins Backup Generators, Emergencies, Essential Businesses, Generator Tips for Businesses, Hurricanes, Industry News, Power Outages, Power Shutoffs, Remote Work, Storm Preparedness, Uncategorized.

Backup generators are responsible for saving lives and businesses when the power goes out. When you take a closer look at all of the ways you use electricity on a daily basis, it’s easy to see that you don’t want to be without power if you can help it. For some businesses, it’s even more important than others to have a backup generator. Not having one could prove very costly.

Here are some businesses you wouldn’t think that rely on backup generators:

Bakeries

When it comes to places that need backup generators, establishments that deal with food and health code regulations such as restaurants usually come to mind. Unfortunately, most people don’t think about a small bakery needing that same backup.

A bakery has the same health codes that a restaurant has, and while a lot of the inventory may be shelf-stable, there are a lot of delicate ingredients such as butter, eggs, fruit, and cream that could quickly be destroyed.

Commercial Real Estate Properties

As a landlord, you can really improve your tenant’s experience, reduce your turnover rate, and create a competitive edge by having backup generators on your properties. Not having to worry about losing power goes a long way with tenants, which means you can set the rent a little higher and you probably won’t have to worry about having empty properties for very long. With more people working remotely, backup generators are a must for landlords.

Construction Sites

When it comes to construction, you may use a backup generator for power if you lose electricity, but more than likely, that generator will be the only source of power you have on new construction sites. Having one you can rely on is essential to finishing the job on time. With construction speeding up their process to meet deadlines due to the pause in construction around the country this past year, backup generators play a bigger role now.

Convenience Stores

Convenience stores are the stores that are open usually all night because they need to be. If a severe storm hits and knocks out the power of other supermarkets or other stores, a convenience store can sometimes be the last resort for many people. If it’s late at night and a person’s home is without power, it’s important for them to have somewhere to go to grab some essentials.

If you run a business that can’t afford to lose power, you need a backup generator you can trust. Contact GenTech Generators at 301-469-7800 or visit us online for more information!

Advantages of Permanent Generators vs. Portable Generators

Written by justin on January 12, 2017. Posted in Backup Generators.

Losing power as a result of a hurricane, snowstorm or another weather-related event or service downtime can be incredibly frustrating. If the power doesn’t return to your home for several hours – or, in a worst-case scenario, several days – you could be forced to throw out food that has gone bad, layer up your clothing to prevent the cold from affecting you, or even suffer from burst pipes or other issues as your home cools to the point where it affects your plumbing.

All of these reasons and more are why the New York Times says more and more homeowners have turned to generators in recent years to keep the power coming to their homes during outages.

If you are considering investing in a generator, you will typically be considering two main options: A portable generator or a permanent generator. Portable generators are typically cheaper than permanent generators and, during short power outages, they will do the trick once you pull them out of storage and get them going. But in general, installing a permanent generator is a much better idea and will absolutely prove to be a better long-term investment.

Permanent generators are safer and quieter than portable options and designed to start automatically at the first sign of power loss which means there’s no need to fuss with unburying your generator and hoping you remembered to gas it up and maintain it between uses. These generators are also nearly impossible to steal since they are large fixtures and hardwired to your home, which adds security and peace of mind.

These generators are also able to provide enough power to keep your entire home or selected circuits powered for days on end. In fact, if you have a permanent generator hooked up to a natural gas line, it can usually provide power for the full length of any outage, which means you will be able to go about your business as normal even when your neighbors are still waiting for the lights to come back on. With a backup generator installation, regular maintenance and routine inspection done by the team at GenTech Backup Generator Systems, you’ll never have to worry about power becoming a problem for you or your family.

Best of all, permanent generators will usually increase the value of your home, as well, and provide another great selling point if you list your home on the market in the future. So what are you waiting for? If you have been thinking about having a generator installed, GenTech Backup Generator Systems can give you a quote and walk you through all of the benefits having a system installed. Give us a call at 301-469-7800 today for more information.