Generator Installation Fundamentals: What You Can Expect
Posted on: 29 March 2022
With growing concerns about grid independence, preparation in the event of a disaster, and more, generators are becoming increasingly popular. A whole-home generator is a great investment if you want to have a power source to fall back on in the face of disaster or if you want to separate your home from the power grid. However, installing a generator for your home isn't as simple as just picking the first one you can find and putting it somewhere outside your home. Here are a few of the things that you need to know about installing a generator for your home.
Choosing The Proper Generator
Before you can install a generator for your home, you need to choose the right model for your needs. You'll want to work with a generator supplier who provides onsite consultations. That way, they can help you evaluate the power demand of your home so that you can choose the right size generator for your needs.
The generator size you need will depend on how much you need to provide power, including whether or not you want to power your home's lighting, large appliances, furnace, and more. The general rule is that you'll need a larger generator for more demand so that you have sufficient capacity.
Placing The Generator Carefully
The location where your generator is installed is an important one. You'll have to make sure that you've chosen an area that drains well and doesn't collect water. It should also be stable soil that's not prone to flooding, and it should be a proper distance from your home, fence, and any other structures. Your generator installation contractor will tell you what the local regulations and recommendations are for distance depending on the generator model you're installing.
You'll also want to make sure that the generator is placed close to the fuel source and to your home's electrical circuit. This ensures that you can connect your generator to its incoming fuel line and to the outgoing power supply line for your home without needing any additional intervention. You may also want to have a concrete pad installed first for added protection and isolation for the generator.
Know How Your Generator Connects
After your generator installation, you should have the incoming fuel supply connected for you. You'll also have it connected to the direct supply line for your incoming power. However, there's typically a switch that must be flipped to swap your power supply over to the generator when needed. Otherwise, you may want to install an automatic switch so that the generator engages when there's an interruption in the power supply.
These are key things you should know about installing a generator for your home. Talk with a local generator supply provider today for more help.
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