Do You Lose Power Frequently?

It's easy to take your electricity for granted. It’s so intrinsic to modern society that it’s hard to imagine life without it. But, the power grid is a fickle thing. Severe inclement weather can disrupt electrical current to your home or business. And, if you don’t take steps to prevent it, your family can end up stuck in the dark. That’s why we believe everyone would be better off with a home generator.

Sleep Soundly with the Peace of Mind of a Whole Home Generator Installed by Ben Maines Air Conditioning, Inc.!

Our generators are installed by insured, licensed electricians. When our system detects an interruption in electrical service, it flips the generator on. To avoid back-feeding the electrical current and creating a dangerous fluctuation, this will temporarily disable your connection to your main source of electricity. The generator will then run until the lights come back on.

Fun Fact! Did you know that the average refrigerator contains anywhere from $130-$300 of stock at any one time?

The Benefits of Whole-Home Generators

In the case of large-scale natural disasters, it can take a while before the power comes back on again. Could you and your family handle five or six days without having the lights on? How long would it take before your home disintegrated into the Lord of the Flies?

Installing a standby generator can save you from...

• Having to pack up your family in the middle of the night to go stay at a family member or friend's house.
• Needing to replace hundreds of dollars' worth of food and drinks and dealing with the mess of a thawed-out freezer.
• Worrying about the potential loss of electricity-provided heat can do to warp hardwood flooring or causing pipes to burst in low-temperature situations.
• Scaring away potential homebuyers that have standby generators at the top of their shopping list (a study by Consumer Reports found that adding a home generator can increase your home value between 3 and 5 percent)
• Having to worry about those members of your family who are reliant on electrically powered medical devices and equipment. No one ever wants to think “How long can I survive without ____?”

How Loud Is a Whole House Standby Generator?

While old generators used to be deafening, new ones can run at around 60 decibels. This is equivalent to the volume of a normal conversation from 20 feet away. A typical AC unit, meanwhile, operates at between 36 and 82 decibels. So, even if the generator is right outside your window, it won't take long for it to become just background noise.

How Much Maintenance Does a Generator Need?

To ensure it's there when you need it, you'll need to schedule yearly generator service. During the appointment, our electrician will examine the unit for broken parts, switch out any bad filters, and change the oil in the machine.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Whole-Home Generator in Longview?

Though the cost varies based on home size and the amount of power desired, the average homeowner will pay somewhere between $1400 and $8,000 for a professionally installed generator. Much of the cost variation is due to the wide variety of generators available. Portable units, which can be purchased for around $300, are much more affordable but can only power a few devices at a time. Large, permanent diesel-powered generators, meanwhile, can cost up to $15,000. But the more you pay, the closer you can be to normal during a power outage.

How Much Does It Cost to Run the Generator?

The cost depends on the price of natural gas or propane. During standby mode, an average sized unit will cost around $5 a month to run. While in use, that cost shoots up to between $20 and $30 per day. Though this may seem like a lot, it's way cheaper than a fridge full of wasted groceries or a night at a good hotel.

How Long Will My Standby Generator Last?

The average unit lasts about 15 years under normal operating conditions.

Are You Considering Installing Your Own Generator?

Electricity is dangerous and can easily be fatal. You do not want someone who is YouTube trained to install something worth thousands of dollars. Incorrectly installed components can lead to the generator not working when you need it (at best) or a sudden fire or dangerous electric surge (at worse). Trying to DIY your generator installation means putting your family’s life in danger to save a little bit of money To ensure the job is done right, you need to hire a professional electrician.

Call Ben Maines Air Conditioning, Inc. for a quote on a top-of-the-line, whole house generator installation in the Longview area!