While many people love to live in Florida for its warm weather, oceanfront beaches, and scenic landscapes, severe weather is still a frequent issue. Hurricanes, lightning storms, and power grid strain often cause extended blackouts in Lakeland and the surrounding areas. An extended blackout means no air conditioning or refrigeration in many homes, which leads to food spoilage and safety issues related to extreme heat and humidity.
Losing power occasionally is all but unavoidable in many parts of Florida, but you can avoid most of the problems associated with blackouts with a whole-home generator. A whole-home generator will activate automatically when your home loses power, providing a continuous source of electricity that will keep everything running smoothly. It’s also permanently installed in your home, making it a reliable long-term solution if your home suffers frequent blackouts.
Let’s take a look at just some of the reasons why a Florida home needs a generator during storm season.
Quick Takeaways
- Florida storms cause frequent power outages, some of which can last for days.
- Whole-home generators restore power automatically within seconds of a blackout.
- Generators protect air conditioning systems, perishable food, electronics, and medical devices.
- Backup power sources improve comfort, safety, and home value.
- Professional generator installation helps you keep you stay prepared year-round.
1. Florida Storms Knock Out Power Fast
Florida is notoriously susceptible to hurricanes and tropical storms, many of which can knock out power very quickly with flooding, lightning strikes, and strong winds. Extreme heat can also overload power grids and cause blackouts in large areas.
Blackouts caused by extreme heat or severe weather can last for hours or even days in Central Florida, so it helps to have a backup power source when it happens to your home.
2. Florida Heat Becomes Dangerous Without Air Conditioning
As much as many people love the warm Florida weather, it can quickly become unbearable or even dangerous in the summer. In many cases, air conditioning is the only relief you’ll have from the heat, which won’t do you any good if you don’t have power.
A whole-home generator will be able to keep your AC running during a blackout, which makes it invaluable if you have children, pets, elderly family members, or anyone else vulnerable to extreme heat in your household.
3. Whole-Home Generators Protect Food and Refrigeration
Refrigerators and freezers need electricity to keep running, so losing power for longer than a few hours could cause perishable refrigerated food to spoil. With the cost of groceries being what they are, replacing a refrigerator full of spoiled food could really hurt financially. A whole-home generator will keep your refrigerator and freezer running and prevent your food from spoiling.
4. Backup Power Keeps Medical Devices and Safety Systems Running
A whole-home generator can also help keep medical devices such as CPAP machines, oxygen machines, and motorized wheelchairs running. The same can also be said for security systems, wi-fi networks, and anything else necessary for home security.
5. Portable Generators Cannot Match Whole-Home Protection
Portable generators can work as a temporary solution when you lose power, but they aren’t nearly as convenient as whole-home standby generators. Portable generators need to be set up and activated manually, and they require a reliable fuel source and numerous extension cords to really be useful in most scenarios. The fuel itself can be expensive and needs to be stored safely when not in use.
On the other hand, a whole-home standby generator is much more convenient. A whole-home generator is installed professionally and wired directly into your home’s electrical system, so you never have to worry about setting it up. It also relies on an automatic transfer switch that activates it as soon as you lose power to your home, so you won’t have to go out during a storm to turn it on manually.
6. Generators Help Florida Homeowners Avoid Expensive Damage
A blackout can cost you more than you might think. We’ve already discussed how food can spoil if your refrigerator loses power, but a power outage can also lead to sump pump failures, damaged electronics, mold growth, and other issues that could cost you thousands of dollars to repair. Installing a whole-home generator can help you avoid most of those problems.
7. A Generator Adds Long-Term Value to Your Florida Home
If you’re planning to refinance your Florida home in the future, installing a whole-home generator is an excellent investment. A generator provides convenience and reliability to any home. It also helps improve storm preparedness, something that any Florida homeowner can appreciate. It may not be as flashy as a new fence or siding, but a new generator will add a lot of value to your home.
Why Professional Generator Installation Matters
It may be tempting to install a whole-home generator yourself, but it’s really a job that should be left to professionals. Professional generator installation ensures that your generator is installed safely and properly. It will adhere to proper zoning laws, have the proper fuel connections, and otherwise be ready for when you need it.
You should also call a professional to regularly test and maintain your generator. We recommend scheduling service at least once a year. If your generator gets a lot of use, schedule service every 100 to 200 hours of runtime.
FAQ
What size generator do most Florida homes need?
The generator you need will depend on your home’s size, but a 14-22 kW generator is enough for the average Florida home.
Can a whole-home generator run central air conditioning?
A whole-home generator can easily run central air conditioning, but it requires a lot of power to do so. Make sure that your generator is large enough to run your air conditioner along with everything else in your home.
How long can a standby generator run during an outage?
A standby generator can run for weeks during an outage. However, it is recommended that you shut down a generator for at least 30 minutes if it runs for longer than 24 hours to allow it to rest.
Are whole-home generators worth it in Florida?
Absolutely. Florida homes are vulnerable to blackouts due to the state’s unpredictable weather, so having a backup power source is great to have.
Do generators turn on automatically during a power outage?
A whole-home generator will turn on seconds after your home loses power.
What fuel type is best for a Florida standby generator?
Natural gas is usually considered to be the best fuel type for a standby generator in Florida. Liquid propane is also a good option for homes without natural gas connections.
Stay Ready Before the Next Florida Storm
Storms in Florida can be incredibly dangerous, so you want to be prepared for the worst. If you’re interested in installing a generator for your home, Mister Sparky in Lakeland, FL will be happy to assist you. We are Lakeland’s on-time electrician, and we offer excellent generator installation and maintenance services.
When it comes to your home’s safety, don’t put up with any malarky. Call Mister Sparky in Lakeland today and let us find the perfect generator for your home.