By Francisco Beroiz

Undoubtedly, the current lifestyle leads us to find a way to facilitate mundane tasks, maintain comfort on a daily basis while building more communication capacity. Technology is growing and advancing at a speed never seen before. However, this also makes us highly dependent on electrical energy.

The current pandemic situation also forces us to rely on the massive use of computers and communication networks. Electricity use is increasing since most pe

people are staying home for longer periods of time.

With this in mind and the hurricane season in full swing, having an alternate source of power in the event of an unexpected outage becomes

s increasingly vital. For this, there are several different alternatives that adapt to each need and budget.

Permanently Installed Standby Generator:

A permanently installed home backup generator protects your home automatically. It runs on natural gas or liquid propane (LP) fuel and sits outside just like a central air conditioning unit. A home backup generator delivers power directly to your home’s electrical system, backing up your entire home or just the most essential items. The size and the system configuration will depend on the electrical system design and user preferences. This installation requires electrical, plumbing, and eventually building permits that need to be approved and inspected by city authorities.

Portable Generators:

This kind of generator runs with gasoline. Start, connection and transfer require user manual intervention. In order to avoid the accidental connection of the generator to the electrical network, it will require the installation of a special power inlet box as well as an interlocking system. This is a very affordable option, but with disadvantages in terms of comfort and fuel availability in case of natural disasters.

There is always a system adapted to each specific case. It’s important to consult a specialist who can analyze the situation and recommend the best solution that meets your needs and budget.

Francisco Beroiz is an Electrical Engineer with 18 years’ experience in the electrical field, and he is the new Manager at Al Siefert Electric (Lic. #EC0002423).

The articles he writes are about matters of interest and questions from his customers. Please call Francisco if you have questions concerning electric service, installation, and repair. (954) 493-9411