Proudly Serving West Michigan & Southwest Michigan
Here in Michigan, power outages are becoming common. According to published data, our state now has the second-highest number of power outages annually in the nation. Between 2011 and 2021, power outages here increased by 78% over the previous decade. At the root of the outages is an increase in seasonal storms and their intensity. That’s driving an increase in wear and tear on our electrical grid and periods of increased electrical demand. Also, most of the state’s electrical infrastructure is over 30 years old. As a homeowner, you’ve likely felt the impact of at least one power outage in recent years. The good news is that there is something you can do about it. Here’s everything you need to know about whole-home generators and why they’re perfect for Michigan winters.
The Cost of Power Outages
Outages are more than a simple inconvenience. Prolonged power outages can come with actual monetary costs. According to statistical data, the average extended power outage costs homeowners:
- About $200 to replace spoiled food
- Up to $100 in emergency supplies
- $200 per day in productivity losses
- Up to $150 per day for hotel accommodations
Worse still, the longer a power outage goes on, the higher those costs to a homeowner will be. However, the above costs leave out what is perhaps the most significant threat posed by extended power outages. That’s the threat of property damage that can occur, particularly during winter. Much of the risk comes from the possibility of your home’s pipes freezing and subsequently bursting.
Frozen pipes can happen whenever the outdoor temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Grand Rapids, MI, averages approximately 52 days yearly with temperatures below that mark. That’s over 14 percent of the year. Since power outages happen most frequently in the winter, the odds of frozen pipes are high. When they do, you could end up with thousands of dollars in damage to your home.
Outages are problematic because your home’s heating system is its primary defense against frozen pipes. The heat inside your home keeps the water temperature in your pipes above freezing. During an outage, however, your heating system shuts off. Then, it can take as little as two or three hours for temperatures to dip far enough to allow pipe freezing.
How Whole-Home Generators Work
A whole-home generator gets permanently installed on your property and connected to your home’s electrical infrastructure. They come in a variety of capacities to suit virtually any size home. Most whole-home generators use natural gas as their fuel. If your home already has natural gas service, your generator would use that. That gives the generator an uninterrupted fuel supply unaffected by a grid power loss.
Alternatively, you can purchase a generator that runs on propane. Those typically come with large fuel storage tanks with enough capacity for up to two weeks’ runtime. If your property lacks the space for an above-ground tank, you can purchase a version for buried installation.
The interface that connects a whole-home generator to your electrical panel is a transfer switch. Most whole-home systems have automatic transfer switches that activate whenever grid power fails. Those disconnect your home from the grid and start your generator to take over your electrical load.
You can also purchase smaller generators to keep only specific circuits powered during an outage. Those require an electrical subpanel to segregate the circuits the generator will power during an outage. For example, you may want your HVAC system, refrigerator, lighting, and some outlets working in an outage. That’s enough to keep your home habitable while minimizing your upfront costs.
How Long Whole-Home Generators Last
It’s important to note that whole-home generators aren’t well-suited for long-term continuous use. They’re not a replacement for grid power, just a backup to serve during an outage. On average, a quality whole-home generator will run reliably for about 3,000 hours. That’s equivalent to 125 days of continuous operation. Using Michigan’s power outage averages as a guide, that’s enough to see your home through almost 70 years.
You should also know that whole-home generators require some maintenance during prolonged use. Most require a short cool-off period after every 24 hours of continuous operation. During that period, they need their oil levels checked and refilled, if necessary. That helps keep the generator from running hot, shortening its lifespan.
Most whole-home generators also need yearly maintenance, even if you don’t use them. The necessary tasks include battery checks and an oil and filter change. The former ensures that your generator’s ignition system works during a grid failure. The latter helps guard against oil degradation that may harm the generator if called into service.
You will also need to run your generator for about 30 minutes each month under load. The process, called exercising your generator, circulates lubricants and keeps seals pliable. Many whole-home generators include automated timers to take care of the process for you.
The Cost Of Whole-Home Generators
The price you can expect to pay to install a whole-home generator varies considerably based on several factors. The generator’s cost depends on the capacity your home requires. The average home needs a generator capable of supplying between 25 and 35 kW to meet its demand. That assumes, of course, that you want everything in your home powered during an outage. Generators of that size typically cost between $5,500 and $7,500. Again, those costs may drop significantly if you only want to keep a few parts of your home powered.
Installation costs are the second factor at play. If your property has plenty of space and straightforward integration needs, installation costs may be as low as $1,500. However, the more modifications your home and property require, the higher those costs climb. For example, installing a generator with a fuel tank costs more than one connected to your natural gas line. Costs may also rise if your property doesn’t offer easy access to the installation site.
Yearly maintenance costs also contribute to the cost of owning a whole-home generator. Fortunately, those costs aren’t very high. Expect to pay between $80 and $300 annually for maintenance, depending on the age and use of your generator.
Grand Rapids Generator Specialists
For over 40 years, Service Professor has offered quality home services to Grand Rapids residents. We’ve provided affordable electrical services since our founding. That includes selling, installing, and maintaining the latest whole-home generator solutions. We can also be your go-to provider of HVAC and plumbing services.
Our team of HVAC technicians, electricians, and plumbers have the skills to get any job done right the first time. They’re also background checked and drug tested for your safety. We’re so confident in their skill that we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our work. Plus, we offer upfront pricing, so you always know what you’ll pay when you work with us. If you want a whole-home generator for your Grand Rapids home, call Service Professor today!
