Friday, October 12, 2007

Your Diesel Generator Will Ensure the Lights Are On When Somebody's Home

If you're considering putting a permanent power generating system such as a Yamaha generator, in your home or office, this is definitely a job for the experts! Any wiring that is done to the transfer switch and circuit board will need to be done according to your local electrical code and you may need a plumber in to set up the hoses and connect the Yamaha generator to the home's fuel supply.

Diesel generator dealers that are licensed will generally oversee the installation process, and some companies will a secure a permit and schedule the electrical inspection as part of your purchase price. Prices will vary, but you'll find that a 12 kW generator package excluding the transfer switch to be somewhere in the vicinity of US$1,000-$7,000. A 20 kW package will run you somewhere in the vicinity of $8-$10,000. Many brand-name manufacturers are now making home power generating systems such as Generac generators, Honda generators and Kohler more affordable. Most manufacturers encourage homeowners to hire electrical contractors for installation, as these are not do-it-yourself jobs. If you decide to install a permanent diesel generator somewhere outside your home, it should usually be on a concrete pad near the utility meter. Some generators come with a built in mounting pad and you may want to consider these instead of pouring your own concrete pad. As a rule, the unit is usually run off your home fuel supply and you'll need to connect it to the propane or natural gas supply.

The transfer switch is commonly installed inside next to the distribution panel and wiring is run from the generator into the house. Once the transfer switch is connected, it monitors your home's power supply for any interruptions. Backup power from Honda generators or diesel generators is almost becoming a necessity in today's technology-driven world. There are many more electrical items to run now other than lights, heating, cooling system and appliances. Most homes have computer systems, home automation systems and security systems. Electrical regulation has caused complete power outages in many areas and is more prevalent than years gone by.

It is almost essential that when bad weather knocks out your power for days or possibly weeks on end that you have a Honda generator backup power system. A self-contained backup system will help keep your phones ringing, water running, computers running and the furnace keeping your home warm, too. Pipes freezing are also a hazard when power loss occurs, and if you live in an area where intruders could be a problem, your security system on all the time will keep them at bay, too. It's important to understand what a "watt" means if you're going to install a home power generating system. This starts with an assessment of your basic needs, and you'll want to calculate the complete wattage that your home consumes at any one time. If you're at a loss as far as to this calculation, call your electrician and have him do it for you. Such items as heating, cooling, security systems, fans, refrigeration and lighting are some of the items that you need to consider. The size of your diesel generator backup system is based on the essential wattage that you're going to need. When this calculation is done, it is important to remember that you must accommodate the peak power load that these devices will supply. You must make allowances for power surges as well as appliances that are considered to be steady-rate. A good example of a high-demand system with high startup power is your furnace. If your furnace has a low start motor, this will still tax the load a bit. Energy-efficient appliances will directly impact how much load a backup power source can support. If you're in an area that loses power often, you may be well advised to get rid of the energy hogs and replace them with more energy-efficient appliances. If you use electric heat, a gas or wood stove is a great addition. Let a reputable generator dealer in your local area assess your true wattage needs. This way you'll be more confident when you purchase your Yamaha generator system.