Hurricane season in Texas officially kicks off in June and reaches its peak in August and September. While Houstonians are no stranger to hurricanes, power outages and blackouts are often random and unexpected. During severe weather or a hurricane, outages can last for several days and sometimes weeks. One way to add extra protection to your home or business when the power goes out is to install a home generator, which runs on natural gas or liquid propane that delivers backup power to the home’s electrical system.
Lacie Fridrich with Texas Elite Generators, Inc. shares the benefits of installing a generator and how to prepare it ahead of hurricane season.
“If you have a generator, it can prevent food from spoiling, provide air conditioning if it's large enough, and supply power for medical equipment,” Fridrich said. “It can keep your cabinets from warping.”
For those who already own a home generator or recently installed one, Fridrich recommends double checking that there is enough fuel and oil for the generator so it can run as long as needed during an outage. Remember to check the oil and coolant levels every eight hours if the generator is continually running. Most generators sit outside the home like an air conditioning unit. Before a storm hits, Fridrich said to secure any loose items around your property, such as outdoor furniture, and remove any loose tree limbs to prevent damage to the home or generator. “Always be prepared well ahead of hurricane season,” Fridrich said. “Make sure your generator’s oil is at the correct level and that your battery is in good condition and providing the proper volts.”
While generators can help lower the risk of damage to your home from loss of power, Fridrich said it still requires repairs and yearly maintenance, like a car. “You will need to have the oil changed, spark plugs, air filter checked or replaced yearly,” she said. “Manufactures are even canceling warranties if you do not keep up with your maintenance on your generator. We offer two different maintenance plans to cater to everyone's needs.”
Generators not only require time and maintenance, but there are different brands and varieties to choose from. Fridrich recommends doing research on generator options before moving forward on the installation process. “Getting a generator installed in your home is not a one-day project, it can actually take months depending on your situation,” she said. “Generator installations require HOA approval, permits, an electrician, and a plumber and some require customers to get a larger gas meter.”
Texas Elite Generators specializes in installing residential and commercial generators of all brands for homes and businesses. They also provide both preventative maintenance and repair services, including 24/7 remote monitoring that can notify owners if the generator experiences a technical issue. “We can monitor your generator to make sure there are no issues before the storm hits,” Fridrich said.