The Benefits of a Natural Gas Standby Generator

Provided by CenterPoint EnergyThe Benefits of a Natural Gas Standby Generator

named storms, and 13 hurricanes — six of which were considered

major — the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season has been the most active in history. Of the 30 named storms this season, 12 made landfall in the United States, breaking the record of nine set in 1916. Louisiana residents know all too well that five of those storms made landfall in their state. Once a storm passes, electric utility employees mobilize around the clock to restore power. But repairing and restarting a power grid can take days or even weeks. This loss of power can create significant issues, including:

• Extreme high temperatures inside the home • Development of mold and mildew

• No electricity to charge phones or power radios or TVs • No computer or internet access • Loss of revenue for those who work from home

• Home accidents and bodily injuries

• No refrigeration for medicines • Power assisted medical devices not charged • Respiratory difficulties

• Added cost to replace spoiled food

• No contact with home security monitoring service • Less protection of family members • Home appears abandoned

For customers who face these issues, a natural gas standby generator can be a smart investment in their comfort and peace of mind. Natural gas standby generators are a reliable, safe, and convenient source of standby power when storms, tree limbs, or planned line maintenance causes a power outage.

Natural gas standby generators automatically turn on when you have an outage and off when your power is restored whether you are home or not.

The generating capacity of a standby generator is measured in Kilowatts (KW). The higher the KW rating, the more power a generator can provide a home or business. Natural gas standby generators feature significantly higher KW ratings than portable gasoline generators, so they can power your entire home, including the air conditioner.

Natural gas standby generators provide a consistent, steady voltage that protects sensitive appliances and home electronics such as computers, televisions, and gaming systems.

Natural gas standby generators use the same natural gas that serves your home. The fuel is connected directly to the generator and typically cost less than propane and much less than gasoline for emergency generation. Because natural gas lines are buried underground, they are less susceptible to damage from severe weather, so there is no need to stock up before or look for fuel after a storm.

The American Red Cross recommends permanently installed standby generators as a safer way to provide backup power to a home than a portable generator. Plus, they avoid the need to attach long extension cords throughout the home, which can create tripping and electrical shock hazards.

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