Home generators allow you to reduce your reliance on the traditional power grid and ensure you’ll still have electricity in the event of an outage. They’re a vital part of comprehensive emergency planning and help you avoid costly losses that can result from food spoilage.

In broad terms, there are two types of residential generators to choose from: portable and stationary (or “standby”). A typical portable generator is a small unit designed to provide power at the point of use. Stationary units are connected directly to a fuel source (typically natural gas) and service specific parts of your home; you can also get whole-house standby generators that provide electricity to your entire home.

Portable generators are relatively inexpensive, both to purchase and to operate, and they’re perfect if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to generate power over a short period of time. However, they’re not well-suited to continuous or long-term usage, and they’re limited in the amount of power they can provide, so you’ll have to carefully pick and choose how to use the electricity they create. They typically run on gasoline, diesel, liquified petroleum or natural gas.

You can also get a standby generator, which is stationary and connected directly to your home’s natural gas supply. These units are able to provide a greater quantity of power and can be used for extended periods of time; however, they are costlier than portable generators, both in initial price and in usage costs.

The most powerful type of standby generator is a whole house generator. These units are the best choice for supplying power to your home in the event of a long-term power outage or emergency, and are typically connected directly to the natural gas lines that service your home. They are costly, and you will need to hire a professional to install it, but they also add a significant amount of value to your home and provide you with priceless peace of mind.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about generators and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning services  San Antonio and the surrounding communities of Seguin, New Braunfels, Bulverde, Boerne, and Comal County. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.