Power Trip

Texans won’t soon forget winter storm Uri, which turned out the lights and blanketed roadways with a layer of treacherous snow and ice for a week in February 2021. With power out in some Texas communities for days and temperatures dipping to a record two degrees below zero, it’s no surprise that the sales of whole-home and portable generators began rising faster than the temperature when the ordeal ended, and homeowners began coping with pipes that burst in their homes and extensive damage to pools.

The storm may have been called a once-in-a-lifetime event, but Texas winters can experience periods of extreme cold and freezing precipitation that make it feel more like North Dakota than the Sunbelt. Whole-home generators, also known as standby generators, can be a lifesaver as they provide a backup power supply not only when the grid cannot meet demand in winter but also in triple-digit summer heat and during severe spring and summer storms.

The first question for any homeowner is the type of generator they are looking for, and whether the cost is justified by the peace of mind, it brings, knowing that power outages will not be debilitating. Depending on the size of the house, a whole-home generator can cost from $10,000 to more than $20,000. A portable generator that can power appliances and some lights can cost up to $4,000. Homeowners should weigh the expense against how often power outages occur in the area. Households with young children, seniors, or those using special medical devices such as oxygen or ventilators might also decide the expense is well worth it. Also, note that a permit is required from the municipality before installing a whole-home generator. It’s not needed for a portable generator.

Whole-home generators are located outside the house and are permanent. They run on either natural gas, propane, or solar energy. They are connected to the home’s electrical system, so a transfer switch automatically starts the generator when the power goes out. When power is restored, the generator turns off. Portable generators are also positioned outside the house and away from doors and windows. They are powered by gasoline, propane, or diesel fuel. A homeowner has to decide which appliances or lights in the house will be connected with extension cords. Typically, you may want to choose lights in specific rooms, a refrigerator to keep food from spoiling, a TV, and a computer to keep in touch with the outside world.

Experts warn that installing any type of generator is not a do-it-yourself project. And portable generators should never be placed indoors, even in a garage. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a real risk of improperly installed generators, whether whole-home or portable. But what if your home runs entirely on electricity? In that case, you must have a large propane tank installed outside the home at least 10 feet from the house and 10 feet away from the generator. Keep in mind that portable generators running on gasoline or diesel gasoline can be noisier, have higher emissions, and can be flammable. Thus, homeowners considering purchasing a generator for a backup power source should do their homework, consult the experts, and ultimately decide the type of generator they want and how much they are willing to spend.