June 1 marks the beginning of hurricane season and that means having storm preparation plans in place. For those interested in the protections provided by a back-up generator, we turned to Jeremiah Johnson, owner of Ready Power, for advice. Johnson recommends that everyone consider backup power in order to maintain a sense of normalcy and comfort, as well as a cost savings.
“Not only do some insurers offer premium discounts when a whole home generator is installed, you also stop having to toss spoiled food, return from evacuations sooner than if you didn’t have power or potentially stop having to make expensive and stressful evacuations at all if advised and safe,” he said.
Johnson recommends that people with medical needs or other liabilities related to a loss of power prioritize the investment. But knowing where to start can be daunting. In addition to the financial investment, installing a generator is a significant construction project that carries hazards if done incorrectly. Johnson stresses working with a licensed, insured and qualified contractor, having a clear understanding of the scope of work involved, and knowing the basics.
For starters, you’ll need to plan ahead. Demand for generators is on the rise and peaks after extended outages such as the one that followed hurricane Ida. Johnson says getting a generator installed can take anywhere from four weeks to many months. Next, cost and size of the generator depends on the needs of the customer and the location of the unit. Ready Power meets with clients to determine their needs and uses a calculator based on the National Electrical Code to provide the right solution.
All whole-house generators require permits and adequate space.
“At a minimum, generators should be 5’ from operable windows and doors, 10’ from intake vents and have between 18” and 5’ on all sides depending on the style of unit and what is adjacent to them,” Johnson said, who also noted that new safety guidelines were issued after Hurricane Ida.
Generators also need to be properly maintained. That includes changing the oil, filters, adjusting valves, changing coolant, batteries and adjusting belts. It also includes testing of the system to ensure it’s ready when you unexpectedly lose power. Johnson says generators today offer 10-year comprehensive warranties, but regularly sees generators with over 1,000 hours and 15+ years of service for residential applications and 20+ years of service for commercial applications.
According to Johnson, customers can expect to pay from $13,000 to $20,000 a whole-house generator. But he adds that “it’s an invaluable investment in your family’s ability to weather an uncertain future.”
About the Expert
North Carolina native and Harvard graduate Jeremiah Johnson carries licenses in 7 states to do electrical, mechanical and construction work. Johnson and his business partner Lloyd Huck have owned and run ReadyPower for 14 plus years and have installed some 5,000 generators in the metro New Orleans area.
