Out Go the Lights... NOW WHAT?

Our beautiful country occasionally suffers from weather that can knock out power leaving remote areas with only starlight for days. Firewood and camping gear (cook stove, gas lantern, flashlights, etc.) can be fun for a while, but after a day-or-so it becomes inconvenient or even dangerous for people with medical conditions.

Basic Electrical Generation - A small portable gasoline generator in the 1,000-watt range and an extension cord can operate a microwave oven, a TV and a few lights. You MUST put the generator outside in a well-ventilated area and pass the extension cord into the house directly to the appliances. Gasoline generators can be problematic as the fuel will deteriorate in 1-3 months. Fuel stabilizers can extend that time.

If you want to keep the refrigerator running, a number of small appliances, and more lights, upgrade to a 2,000-5,000-watt generator. Some models have larger gas tanks that allow continuous running for up to 12 hours before refueling.

Advanced Electrical Generation - If you want to minimize the ordeal, but remain on a budget, try a 5,000-6,000-watt portable generator wired into your homes' electrical panel. This generator may run the majority of your electrical appliances including a well-pump, furnace, water heater and most small appliances, just not all at the same time. An electrician should install an "interlock" switch that disconnects your house from the grid and connects a circuit to your generator with one lever. This is a critical step, as not doing so will back-feed current to the grid, potentially electrocuting anyone working on the power lines. Clearly labeling all the circuits in the fuse box will allow you to select which appliances to turn on/off for power rationing. Alternately, a second fuse box can be wired adjacent to the primary to limit the circuits that get power.

Premium Electrical Generation - If you don't even want to notice a power outage, this is your solution. A dedicated backup propane, LPG or diesel generator hardwired into your electrical panel with an automatic transfer switch will sense a power outage and automatically start up to power your whole house. It will automatically shut down when the power is restored.

Keep in mind that your home appliances consume "wattage" and you must size the generator to your home demand. To further complicate the issue, certain appliances have electric motors that "surge" wattage demand during startup. Devices such as computers can be damaged by generators without surge-balancing ability. Generators can NOT be run indoors. Consult a qualified electrician if you have questions.