
What if there was a way to power your home through the tragic event of a power outage? Well, there is! Whole-house backup generators are incredible devices to have handy during an emergency. However, not many homeowners know of the extensive benefits these machines provide.
Veterans AC & Heat is here to guide you through the value of backup generators. Plus, we provide simple tips to ensure you choose the right generator to best protect you and your family in crisis.
About Whole-House Backup Generators
In just seconds after losing power during a natural disaster or utility failure, a whole-house backup generator can restore power to your home. Whole-house backup generators work by being directly wired to your home’s electrical system.
With this powerful device, you and your family can continue with familiar tasks despite the power loss. The comfort of working appliances, AC, and other typical home features is a life-saver in disastrous situations. However, a whole-house backup generator brings more than comfort and familiarity. It can save you and your family from further turmoil beyond the power outage.
Depending on the size you choose, your whole-house backup generator will keep the lights on, the cool air blowing, and the kitchen appliances working. Allowing you to safely get around your home, breathe in quality air, and feed your family in a situation when these features would be lost.
Whole-house backup generators are usually powered by diesel or propane gas. This way, you no longer need to rely on the failed electricity.

The Value of a Whole-House Backup Generator
No matter where you live, losing power is always a possibility. Perhaps you’ve been in a power outage before. It’s often a worrisome experience because there is no telling when the power will be restored to your home.
Power loss can be the result of utility malfunctions, fallen trees, and natural disasters, like:
- Floods
- Hurricanes
- Earthquakes
- Tornadoes
- Snowstorm
- Thunderstorm
And although technology has made these situations a bit more predictable, you can never be sure how they will impact your particular home.
That’s where a whole-house backup generator can really make a difference. During an emergency, you can relax knowing you and your family are protected from a devastating power outage that may last hours, days, or weeks.
Of course, you have other options. For instance, you and your family could pack up and stay a few nights at a local shelter or hotel. However, these alternatives aren’t usually ideal, and hotels can be costly. Not to mention, hotels may be at capacity or out of power during a crisis.
Truly, having a whole-house backup generator at home is the best situation to be in when disaster strikes. You and your loved ones are able to remain in the comfort of your own home despite the power outage. You have access to all the necessary appliances, like your HVAC system, a refrigerator full of food, cooking appliances to prepare meals, and a TV or radio to keep up with important updates.
Suppose you live in an area often struck by hurricanes, tornadoes, or any other natural disaster causing frequent power loss. In that case, a whole-house backup generator is an incredible tool to have on your side.
What Makes Backup Generators So Great?
Avoid Flooding
Unfortunately, one of the most extreme effects of power loss can be the failure of your home’s sump pump. When the sump pump fails, your home can become flooded in no time. This can result in damaged flooring, walls, furniture, and more.
To make matters worse, when the natural disaster is severe enough, it will take some time for restoration professionals to arrive. And more likely than not, your home is not the only one they will need to service. It doesn’t take long for the flooding to cause dangerous mold growth and significant water damage to your precious valuables and the structure of your home.
However, with a whole-house backup generator, sump pump failure won’t be a worry. Immediately after your home loses power, the generator will kick on, keeping your home and all its components functioning correctly.
Be Prepared for Any Length of Power Loss
Backup generators are designed to power your home for days. Even better, the larger generators can power your home for weeks! This is an incredible advantage to have in the worst power outages.
Imagine dealing with no power for days on end. You’d be without access to water, food, air conditioning, and more. Over time, your air quality may even be compromised. You can surely expect your experience to get more challenging as the hours tick by.
With a whole-house generator, you and your family will be protected from these effects for as long as the machine powers your home. If the power loss extends your generator’s ability to keep things running, it will still give you the time to devise a realistic plan of what to do next.
Remain Safe
There are many possible hazardous scenarios following a power outage. Power surges and spikes are just a couple of examples. Whole-house backup generators are built to disconnect your home from the primary utility source before these dangerous possibilities. Then, when the power is functioning once more, the generator will wait for the voltage to stabilize, again saving you and your family from danger.
Protect the Food in Your Refrigerator
It only takes a few hours for the food in your refrigerator to spoil. Important foods, like eggs, milk, and meats, are the first to go in as little as 5 hours. So, not only are you dealing with the power outage, but you are losing an entire fridge of valuable foods you’ll have to replace once it’s safe to leave home.
Whole-house backup generators come to the rescue. They’ll keep your refrigerator and freezer functioning despite the power outage, allowing you to feed your family for days.
Save Money on Further Damages and Aftermath
Many homeowners hesitate when considering a whole-house backup generator because of the costly price tag. However, you may change your mind once you realize how much money this incredible machine will save you during an emergency.
All kinds of aftermath of power loss leads to the need to spend significant cash. Here are just some basic examples:
- Busted frozen pipes
- Flooring repairs
- Furniture replacement
- Loss of food
- Long stays at expensive hotels
- The possibility of theft due to a failed security system
- Mold restoration

Choosing Whole-House Backup Generators
Now that you are convinced a backup generator is necessary to keep you and your family safe, you’ll need to consider what generator is suitable for your home. Most people don’t know how to make this decision until they begin shopping for one of these remarkable, life-saving devices.
Luckily, we have provided a simple guide to help determine the whole-house backup generator you need. The process is made easy with the following steps:
Consider How Likely You are to Experience a Power Outage
First, you’ll need to determine how often or likely you experience a power loss. This will be essential in deciding what size generator is right for your home.
Particularly in Florida, hurricanes, floods, and frequent thunderstorms are your main concern. These severe weather events can happen at any time of the year. And power outages are all too common.
If you have already suffered through multiple power losses, this is a solid indicator that you and your family could benefit from a whole-house backup generator that can power many appliances in your home.
Calculate the Total Power Requirement You Need
Next, list all the things in your home that would be crucial to have in the event of a power outage. Most people consider air conditioning, refrigerator, and major cooking appliances necessary to continue living as normally as possible. Then, add to the list the conveniences you will want. This may include the TV and outlets to charge cell phones.
Finally, you’ll add up the wattages these essentials require to function. This will be the total power you will need your backup generator to supply in an emergency. Furthermore, purchasing a generator that goes a little beyond what you have decided is necessary is wise. This will give you the flexibility to update home appliances and not have to replace your generator as a result.
Need Some Assistance?
Perhaps you are still wondering if a whole-house generator is what your home needs. Or maybe you are unsure of what size you should purchase. In that case, give Veterans a call. We can answer your questions and guide you in the right direction, especially when powering your HVAC system during a crisis.
But that’s not all. Having a fully functional HVAC in an area where disaster can strike anytime is vital to maintaining safety. At Veterans AC & Heat, we will inspect your home’s AC to ensure everything is in working order and the machine is reliable for emergencies. So, contact our knowledgeable and skilled team for regular maintenance today.