Generator Use During a Power Outage

It might be hard to imagine just how reliant we are on the electrical grid until it goes down. After all, electricity courses through our homes invisibly, beckoned at the flick of a switch or press of a button. Just about every appliance and technological device requires quite a bit of juice to keep going. So when the lights do go off, our glorious beacons against the night’s darkness turn into little more than dark shelters. An emergency generator can solve that problem in a jiffy, providing enough power to keep a household operating until the grid is reestablished.

Here at Rick Case Honda Powerhouse, we know the hardest time to keep your head on your shoulders is during a crisis.

Basics of Generator Use

Let’s start with some good procedure and use for your generator during a power outage. The first step is to determine how much power you’ll need to operate what you hook up to your generator. Appliances and equipment labels should indicate their power requirements, and things like light bulbs should have an indicated wattage necessary for operation. You’ll need to generate more power than all your components require. If you don’t have enough power, then you’ll have to stagger equipment use, which is probably best in an emergency situation anyway. Trying to pull too much power from the generator might blow a fuse or damage the connected equipment.

For proper use, place your generator somewhere away from windows, doors, and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to get inside your home. Twenty feet is a good rule of thumb for how far away your generator should be. You’ll want to avoid operating a generator that’s gotten wet, as could be the case in preparing for a storm. Operate only on a dry surface, and make sure your hands are dry before operation. Failure to do so could result in electrocution.

When connecting your generator, plug appliances directly into it, or use an outdoor-rated extension cord equal to the sum of the connected appliance electrical loads. Never try to run power through house wiring or plug the generator into a wall socket, as your best-case-scenario is shorting all the fuses in your home, with the worst-case being the electrocution of utility workers or neighbors served by the same transformer.

Safety

Your generator isn’t a big battery. Its energy isn’t safely stored for easy use. There are dangers involved, so it’s important to understand how to safely operate your generator. Incorrect usage could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock, or a fire. Always read your generator owner’s manual carefully and follow its directions. Never use a portable generator in an enclosed space, even with ventilation, like a garage, basement, or crawl space. This prevents carbon monoxide from building up, which can occur inside even with open doors or windows. If you do feel sick while running a generator, get yourself somewhere with fresh air immediately. It’s also a good idea to have home detectors for carbon monoxide.

Storage

When you’re done using your generator or need to refuel it, first turn it off and let it cool completely. Gasoline can ignite if it gets on a hot engine or part. For storage, store fuel in an approved safety can outside any living areas in a preferably-locked shed or other protected area. (If you have specific fire safety concerns, contact your local fire department!) If you spill fuel or don’t seal its container properly, vapors can travel along the ground and be ignited by an appliance pilot light or arcs from electric switches in the appliance.

Hopefully you won’t be without power for long. If the power outage might last days rather than hours, plan your energy usage so you can give the motor a rest. Run the refrigerator or freezer only sporadically, and keep its door closed as much as possible. And if you have more questions about generators, head into Rick Case Honda Powerhouse in Davie, Florida, serving Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Our staff of knowledgeable and courteous professionals will help you find what you’re looking for. Come in today!