Standby Generators: Ultimate Power-Outage Readiness

Written on: November 27, 2023

14 Benefits of a Whole-house Propane Generator

When the weather gets wild and the power lines go down, are you prepared? We get plenty of thunderstorms in summer, hurricanes along the coast, and even stretches of extreme cold that challenge the grid.

When it comes to protecting your family and home, a whole-house propane generator can help you get through almost any power outage. Also called stand-by generators, these units are connected to your home and your propane storage tank, so they go on within seconds of a power failure—even if you’re not home. Here are 14 great reasons why installing a whole-house generator is a power move.

Why Install a Whole-House Generator?

1. You can opt for “essential power” models that will run essential equipment such as your refrigerator, heat and a few lights, or a specific part of your home, like the kitchen, or choose a true whole-house generator that can manage the demands of most extra-large homes, even during extended outages.
2. An average 5000-watt stand-by generator will run for one to two days on a 100-gallon propane tank. A 500-gallon tank would keep the same generator running for 7 to 10 days. Most homes have storage tanks that are 100 to 500 gallons.
3. A stand-by generator keeps security systems on to protect your property even if no one is home.
4. Medical equipment keeps running.
5. Power for heat or air conditioning, water, lights, stove and refrigerator mean you can shelter in place.
6. Having a back-up generator can lower home insurance costs. Many insurance plans will offer discounts on your homeowner’s insurance plan if you install a standby generator.
7. Refrigerated food can start to go bad after only four hours without power—and that’s if you don’t open the fridge. Frozen food can last a little longer. With a standby generator, your food is safe—and you don’t have to worry about lines at stores to get supplies.
8. During an extended outage, “camping” at home stops being “fun” quickly. The cost of a hotel room—if you can find one—is an expense you avoid with a standby generator.
9. A generator that keeps your heat on can protect you from frozen and burst pipes, and repairs that can cost up to $10,000—or more.
10. Propane generators are quiet, extremely efficient and clean-burning, with low emissions.
11. No need to wrestle a portable generator out of the garage and get it set up and started, while messing with fuel, possibly in the dark or in treacherous conditions.
12. According to Consumer Reports, a properly installed whole-house generator can increase the value of your home by as much as 5%. That’s a great return on your investment, even before you even need to use it.
13. A portable generator is less expensive out of the box, but it can cost you a lot more in the long run. Just keeping it full during an extended outage will add up quickly, not to mention potentially having to wait on long lines for more fuel.
14. Automatic turn-on means you have peace of mind of knowing that your home and loved ones will be safe, even if you aren’t home when the power goes out.

The Bottom Line

A power outage lasting any longer than an hour or two can quickly shift from inconvenience to crisis—and an expensive one, too. A standby propane generator will keep your family and property safe, while saving you money and adding value to your home. The pros at Pico have the experience and training to connect the lines to your propane tank, so it powers up your home without damaging your home’s electronic equipment or appliances. And we can provide you with safe and reliable propane delivery, too.

Contact us today for more information.