Tag: generator

Importance of Regular Generator Maintenance For Emergencies

Apr 11, 2023

Importance of Regular Generator Maintenance For Emergencies

  • Generator

A backup generator can be a lifesaver during power outages or other emergencies, but it’s essential to ensure that it’s in good working condition when you need it most. Regular maintenance is crucial to ensure reliable performance during emergencies. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of regular maintenance, the benefits of regular maintenance, how to maintain your backup generator, recommended maintenance schedule, and the risks of neglecting maintenance.

Benefits of Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance of your backup generator can provide several benefits, including:

  • Improved reliability and performance during emergencies
  • Increased lifespan of your generator
  • Improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions
  • Lower likelihood of expensive repairs or replacements

How to Maintain Your Backup Generator

  • Checking and replacing oil, filters, and spark plugs
  • Inspecting fuel system and battery
  • Testing and exercising the generator

Recommended Maintenance Schedule

The recommended maintenance schedule depends on several factors, including the type of generator, its age, and how often it’s used. In general, it’s recommended to have a professional service your generator at least once a year. However, if it’s used frequently or it’s an older model, you may need more frequent maintenance.

Risks of Neglecting Maintenance

Neglecting maintenance can lead to several risks, including:

  • Reduced reliability and performance during emergencies
  • Increased risk of damage or failure
  • Higher likelihood of expensive repairs or replacements
  • Potential safety hazards

Choosing the Right Generator Maintenance Service

When choosing a provider for your backup generator maintenance, it’s important to consider several factors, including:

  • Experience and expertise
  • Availability and responsiveness
  • Reputation and customer reviews
  • Cost and service agreements

McHales can help you install and maintain your generator. Give us a call for more information.

Generator Maintenance is Important for Times of Emergencies

In conclusion, regular maintenance is crucial for reliable emergency performance. By understanding the benefits, how to maintain your backup generator, the recommended maintenance schedule, and the risks of neglecting maintenance, you can ensure that your generator is ready when you need it most. Contact McHales for more information and further assistance.

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By McHales

Why You Should Consider an HVAC System Replacement This Fall

Sep 29, 2021

Why You Should Consider an HVAC System Replacement This Fall

  • Heating

The leaves are changing, the wind is getting brisk, and pumpkin spice lattes have emerged from their year-long slumber. Ladies and gentlemen, fall is officially back. And with the changing of the seasons comes the perfect opportunity to upgrade your HVAC system. You’re going to need it in a few weeks when the snow starts falling. And now for a limited time, when you purchase a Bryant HVAC system, you get a free Rheem water heater to keep your home’s water nice and warm. If that wasn’t enough, here are a couple reasons to consider replacing your HVAC system this fall.  

Mitigate Issues For the Foreseeable Future 

Your first car was probably a heavily used hand-me-down from a parent or a family member. It probably had issues, was unreliable over long distances, and required many, many trips  to the local mechanic. Once you got your first new car, you saw less and less of the mechanic. It’s the same principle with HVAC systems. Older systems require a lot more TLC to run smoothly. This means more frequent calls to your local service provider and a less seamless home heating experience. Much like buying a new car, a new HVAC system can be pricey, but it will save you a massive amount of headache (and money)  down the line. 

Improved Performance 

Let’s stay with the car metaphor. An older model just won’t be able to perform at the level of the latest and greatest models. It won’t have as many features, and overall it will just be an inferior product compared to what’s been made available recently. And while HVAC systems aren’t known for coming with a plethora of bonus features like cars are, newer systems can produce results that older systems can’t even begin to approach. Older systems are prone to missing spots in your home, leading to cold or warm patches in an otherwise comfortable environment. Newer systems eliminate this issue entirely. 

Resale Value

A newer HVAC system means a higher resale value. It’s that simple. The investment could save you money for future repairs, and even make you money in the long run, as we’ve discussed. But a prospective homeowner will feel much more reassured buying a house that contains newer systems and appliances. They can worry much less about overhead of repairs that may tag along with the house or projects that they’ll have to spend extra time on top of other projects they already have planned for the house they’re moving into. Resale is not something you necessarily need to be thinking about every day, but putting some thought into it will only better prepare you for later. 

Safety First

It’s the last item on our list, but always the first priority. Your safety is extremely important to us at McHales, and a new HVAC system can help in that department. As systems age, they develop cracks and imperfections that can lead to fires and other dangerous hazards in and around your home. These dangers can be mitigated with regular tune-ups and maintenance, of course, but ultimately, if a system is getting up there in years, it’s almost always safer to air on the side of caution and look into a replacement.

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By McHales

Automatic Standby Generators: What You Need to Know

Sep 28, 2021

Automatic Standby Generators: What You Need to Know

  • Generator

Automatic standby generators are ideal for areas prone to outages. Lugging a portable generator can be tiring, and perishables could be lost if you’re away during an outage. Opt for automatic standby generators instead of portable or battery-operated alternatives. How exactly does an automatic backup generator work in those kinds of scenarios? Here’s what happens when the power goes out and your automatic standby generator kicks in:

1. Utility Power Goes Out

As detailed above, a power outage can happen for a variety of reasons. Components that comprise your area’s electrical system can fail due to age or extraneous factors, categorized as equipment failure. Animals can find their way into fuse boxes and transformers, which can cause shortages or equipment failure as well. Bad weather can knock trees or other large object into power lines, or build ice on equipment overtime. If it isn’t obvious by now, there are too many extraneous factors to count that come into play when considering why exactly power outages occur. All you can do is be adequately prepared to react when one happens, which an automatic standby generator can help with. 

2. The Automatic Standby Generator Senses an Issue

Electrically sensitive indicators within the automatic generator will immediately pick up on the lack of power being provided to your house. This is done through various connections to your fuse box and regular power supply. Once the generator picks up on the issue, within seconds it will prepare itself for activation. This eliminates any risk of your house not being powered while you’re away and losing any perishables that need electricity, in the fridge or likewise. This also eliminates the need, if you are home, to run out to the garage and lug a portable generator to wherever you plan on giving power. The automatic standby generator takes care of all the legwork and stress for you.

3. The Generator Powers On Automatically

No matter where you are, home or away, the generator will power on all by itself. Whether you’re sitting on the couch with the family watching your favorite series or across the country visiting some old friends, you do not need to lift a finger when your power goes out. It only takes a few seconds once the generator has noticed a power failure to get up to speed and generate electricity for your home. There is no button or manual lawn mower starter that needs to be accessed immediately upon outage. Just sit back, listen for the hum of the generator to kick in, and let the automatic magic happen.

4. Electricity is Restored to Your Home

Once the generator has taken a few seconds to recognize the issue and turn itself on, it will automatically begin supplying electricity your home. This is done via an automatic transfer switch that allows the generator to send power directly to your home. Your perishables will not perish, your cat will continue getting fed by that automatic feeder you installed right before you left, and operations will continue as if nothing had happened. If you’re home with the family, you’ll only have missed a few seconds of that beloved program, and family bonding can continue uninterrupted. The stress of an outage power failure has now been completely eliminated from the equation.

5. When No Longer Needed, It Will Power Itself Off

The generator will continue to function all the way up until utility power has been restored to your location. It will automatically detect this as well, so when we say not a finger needs to be lifted, we mean it. The moment that the power in your are has been restored, the automatic standby generator recognizes it and will shut off automatically, no questions asked. If the power were to be disrupted again for whatever reason, there are plenty, then the generator would be ready once again to power on and aid your house and family immediately.

A standby automatic generator truly eliminates all headache involved with the power outage reaction process. The only factor you now need to worry about it maintaining that generator, just as you would any car engine. Corrosion checks, regular cleanings, and filter replacement will ensure that you’re getting the most out of your generator and it will not quit on you for years to come. The convenience and speed at which it works makes this type of generator a must-have for anyone who is constantly being affected by blackouts or power outages due to the powers that be. Your safety and reassurance is the number one priority. You can count on an automatic standby generator to provide both of those factors to you whenever the lights go out, regardless of where you are.

Be Ready For an Emergency – Why a Generator can be one of your best investments

There may be nothing more annoying and inconvenient than a power outage. Lost work time, spoiled food, loss of heat. These things are all consequences that home and business owners face when the electricity unexpectedly goes out.  There is a solution to these problems, and investing in a backup generator is that solution. Although these generator systems aren’t cheap, even if you just purchase a portable generator, they are a great investment.

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5 Reasons to Choose a Home Backup Generator Over a Home Battery Backup 

May 18, 2021

5 Reasons to Choose a Home Backup Generator Over a Home Battery Backup 

  • Electrical
  • Generator
backup generator

Finding the right backup power source for you home can be a tough investigation. With so many different options in a very abundant market, the everyday consumer can become easily overwhelmed. Any time your home loses power, you’re going to want a power source that can keep the appliances in your house operational, from the refrigerator to the microwave to the washing machine. In this case, we can confidently state that investing in a home backup generator is ultimately the right decision to make over a home battery backup. When nature rears its ugly head and takes you off the grid, you want to make sure you’re able to keep you food preserved, your heat, ac, and water running, and your family safe.

Here are 5 reasons why a home backup generator is the right choice to make over a home battery backup: 

1. More Support

Both home backup generators and home battery backups supply electricity to your home when you are taken off the grid, but home backup generators can support many more appliances in your home than a battery backup. Whereas generators steadily output a continuous max amount of power, home batteries can only supply a fraction of the total amount of energy they are currently holding. Batteries do this to protect how long the battery can last. This means only supporting a fraction of the appliances that a home backup generator can support when the power goes out.

To elaborate, each of your appliances requires a certain amount of wattage to operate. A backup generator with 15 kWh of energy will be able to consistently output those 15 kWh’s to your home as long as its hooked up. On the contrary, a battery with the same amount of energy that generator will only be able to output about 20% of that energy, so around 3 kWh. Therefore, on a backup battery, you will have to be a lot pickier on what you decide to power and leave off. Assuming you want to keep your refrigerator running, your options become very limited.

2. Cost Effective

Comparing the costs of generators vs. batteries requires the consumer to consider long term investment. At the preliminary purchasing period, both options seem very similar in pricing. It’s only after you factor installation, consultation, and power inversion that a backup generator becomes the obvious choice.

Whereas you will only need to pay for the installation and the generator itself, getting a backup battery entails buying the battery, the installation, another installation of a power inverter (normally tacking on an extra $2,000), and then any replacements you will have to make in a few years or sooner depending on use. Not to mention, going back to the first point, if you’re trying to get the same amount of output out of your batteries as a generator, you’ll end up paying much more due to the limited kWh output of your regular battery.  

3. Accessibility

Buying a backup battery is a much easier and readily available option to attain for your home than a home battery backup system. The home battery backup market is not yet developed enough to contain any full-scale distributors that have the products ready to go. Finding one is almost equally as difficult as getting it installed in your house. Especially in an emergency, buying a backup battery system is impractical at best.

Meanwhile, home backup generators can be found across the US at local appliance and hardware stores. For instance, a Generac home backup generator is supported by more than 5,200 certified dealers and there is no scarcity of trained installers ready to get one set up in your house at a moment’s notice. They even offer a support network line and a way on their website to find your local dealer. 

4. Longevity

To compare the length of time a backup battery will function next to a backup generator is a true “David and Goliath” situation. Simply put, with proper preparation a generator can last if you need it to with proper fueling. It’s not even a matter of how long, but how many resources you have. On the contrary, a backup battery, assuming a full charge, is estimated to run for 3-5 hours. This sort of duration in the event of an emergency power outage is unacceptable, and will not ensure your safety. Most power outages resulting from hurricanes and other natural occurrences take much longer than 3-5 hours to be fixed, which leaves you in the dark once that time is up. Not to mention the fact that with your home backup battery, you’re only limited to two or three appliances to power, tops. As far as longevity is concerned, there is no real competitive comparison between the two options.

5. Creation vs. Storage

When all’s said and done, the difference boils down to how energy can be continuously created with a backup home generator, whereas a home battery backup system can only tap into stored energy. When that pool of stored energy is depleted, you will be left with not very many options besides some blankets and candles. Meanwhile, if you have a fuel source for your generator, you will have power indefinitely. Generators produce power while batteries distribute it. 

Have any questions about generators? Call McHale’s Today!

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By McHales

Reasons To Schedule A Generator Installation

Jul 15, 2020

Reasons To Schedule A Generator Installation

  • Generator

Have you ever had a power outage at your home? Whenever the power goes out, we immediately wish that it would simply kick back on. With a standby installation, your wish can be granted! It will turn on within seconds during a power outage. Here are some of the ways a generator installation can benefit you:

Benefits of a Standby Generator Installation

  • Instant power. One of the best perks of a standby generator is that it instantly generates power when there’s a power outage. Instant power generation not only ensures that your important appliances run without interruption, but that it greatly reduces the risk of harmful power surges that can either damage your sensitive electronics or even start a fire.
  • It keeps appliances running. Some appliances, such as your refrigerator, need to be running constantly. While the food inside your fridge can stay cool, the clock starts ticking as soon as the power goes off. A standby generator spares you the grief of tossing out an entire fridge full of food. They are also a must have for households that use medical equipment or work from home.
  • Protection against basement flooding. On top of protecting your plumbing, a standby generator also ensures that other important appliances do their job. Your sump pump needs electricity to run, and it’s designed to remove any excess water outside your basement. Having a backup source of power like a standby generator, ensures you won’t have an ice rink in your basement.
  • You save money. No power can make your home miserable to live in, especially during the winter season. While it may be expensive to install a standby system for your home, having one does save you the cost of staying at a hotel each time the power goes out.
  • No tripping over extension cords. Unlike a portable generator which can only generate enough power for a handful of appliances, a standby generator powers everything in your home. Instead of carefully picking what to power and tripping over extension cords, a standby generator is wired directly into your home’s electrical system and generates power immediately after a power outage.
  • It protects your electronics. Not only does a standby system protect your home from power surges whenever a power outage happens, it also protects your electronics from power surges that can happen when the power comes back on. While power surges are a common occurrence and most can be relatively harmless, power surges caused by major power outages are more likely to damage your electronics. A standby system protects your electronics by waiting until the voltage is stabilized before the it transfers power generation back to the utility line.

How McHale’s Can Help

Your safety and well being is our main concern. Let our automatic standby generators help keep your family safe and comfortable during an emergency. Contact the generator experts at McHale’s today to learn more about what generator is right for your home and how to get one for your home.

Call today to schedule your service!

By McHales

Benefits of a Standby Generator Installation During the Holiday Season

Nov 30, 2018

Benefits of a Standby Generator Installation During the Holiday Season

  • Generator

Winter is almost here and that means heavily relying on your home’s heating system to stay nice and toasty this holiday season. Staying warm, however, shouldn’t be your only concern once the snow starts to fall. The winter season is a harsh time of year that puts a strain on your home, plumbing, and electrical system. Heavy snow and ice can weigh down power lines or knock a tree over, which can cause major power outages.

No homeowner wants to deal with a power outage, especially in the dead of winter. When you come to rely on your furnace to stay warm and prevent your plumbing from freezing, and to ensure your sump pump prevents a flooded basement, you’ll need something to make sure your home stays powered throughout the holiday season.

How a Standby Generator Can Help You

  • It ensures you stay warm and comfortable. Installing a standby generator ensures that your furnace stays on and continues heating your home. If it’s below freezing outside, it won’t take long for your home to drop to frigid temperatures. Fireplaces provide ambiance and some warmth, but it can’t keep your entire house heated. A standby generator not only keeps your furnace running, but it also keeps you and your household warm and comfortable.
  • It keeps the essential appliances running. Some appliances should always be running, like your refrigerator and sump pump. The food inside your refrigerator is sensitive to temperatures, and when the power goes out, the clock starts ticking until you have an entire fridge full of spoiled food. Your sump pump also requires constant power to prevent a flooded basement. A standby generator can potentially save a life if you live with someone who has a medical condition and relies on medical equipment.
  • It protects your plumbing. Your plumbing is already susceptible to the frigid temperatures, but when the power goes out; your pipes are at risk of bursting. When the inside of your home isn’t properly heated, your pipes can freeze, and the ice inside the pipes expands until the pipe bursts. Not only will you deal with malfunctioning plumbing, but a pipe flooding thousands of gallons of water inside your home. A standby generator ensures your plumbing is protected and functioning.
  • It turns on automatically. Unlike some power backup generators that need to be manually started, a standby backup generator will automatically turn on when the power goes out. This is particularly helpful if you’re away from home or out of town when the power goes out.

How McHales Can Help 

When the power goes down, automatic standby generators keep your lights on so you can have peace of mind no matter what the weather is like outside. Unlike a bulky portable generator, automatic units are located outside your home and are ready to start the second an electrical outage occurs.

For Newtown and Bucks County homeowners, the McHale’s electrical team can install one for you today!

 

 

By McHales