Posted: June 7, 2016

In our last post, we explored the many benefits of a whole house (or stand-by) propane generator. This week, we’ll help you understand what you need to consider when you choose one.

Capacity

Right-sizing a stand-by propane generator depends mainly on two things: how big your home is, and what you want to power during an outage. One way to think about the second consideration is to break your energy usage down into two categories:

• Essentials – lights, refrigerator, sump and well pumps, furnace fan, security system, TV/computers, washing machine, etc.
• High-wattage items – A/C or heat pump, clothes dryer, water heater, oven or stove, etc.

Stand-by propane generators come in all sizes, and the capacity and price varies accordingly. A small 8 kW unit can operate power essentials such as lights, refrigerator, television and other small appliances, but not high wattage items. A large 25 kW commercial-grade generator, on the other hand, can easily run a heating or air conditioning system in addition to those items.

Placement

Whole house generators can be larger than a central air conditioning unit, so you’ll need free space to place it. The unit also also needs to be near a source of electricity, and must be placed according to local flood, noise and electrical codes.

In other words, your propane stand-by generator must be installed by a professional.

Cost

Stand-by propane generators range in price between $2,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on capacity – the more systems you want to run, the more the unit will cost.

Don’t wait for the first big storm – be ready today with a propane stand-by generator from Casey Energy. Contact us today to learn more!

Posted: May 31, 2016

What’s predicted to be an active summer storm season in the Atlantic is upon us – which means it’s time to prepare for severe weather and power outages in your home.

One of the best ways to prepare is to invest in a propane standby generator – a powerful and potentially even life-saving piece of equipment that can keep your home and family safe when Mother Nature unleashes her fury.

6 benefits of a stand-by generator?

A propane standby generator looks a lot like a central air conditioner with a top on it. Powered by propane, it’s wired into your electrical systems and starts automatically within about 30 seconds after an outage.

Here are 6 benefits of a having a standby propane generator this summer:

1. Flood protection – Weather that causes a power outage usually brings a lot of rain. A generator will keep your sump pump working even if power is down.
2. Security – No power means you’ll have no home security system to protect your valuables. A propane generator will keep your valuables protected.
3. Health support – A power outage can be a matter of life or death if someone in your home relies on medical equipment such as a dialysis machine or nebulizer.
4. Food protection – Food spoiled during a power outage can cost you hundreds of dollars – a whole house generator keeps your fridge and freezer up and running. Most stoves and ovens also run on or with the help of electricity – which means no cooking in the event of an outage (local takeout is probably down, too).
5. Comfort – Storm season starts June 1 – just around the time when hot, sticky nights arrive. Having a whole house generator means you won’t get stuck inside with no A/C or Indoor air quality equipment.
6. Communications – Even battery operated radios, laptops, tablets and cell phones will eventually need to be recharged. Avoid losing connection by powering all these items with a generator.

Not just for summer safety

Severe weather that strikes in the colder months can be especially dangerous – and expensive. Besides having no heat, frozen water pipes can be very costly to repair. Avoid it all with a propane stand-by generator.

Be prepared for any weather! Contact Casey today to learn about standby propane generator options for your home.