This time of year, storm-related power outages are more common than usual, and that drives some Clark County residents to invest in portable generators.
Generators can add a lot of convenience and comfort for people who live near the edge of the grid that may experience prolonged outages. But they may also be helpful for customers who cannot be without electricity even for short periods of time. Plus, they’re handy for people who like to recreate or work off the grid.
“Most families can go a day without power without too much discomfort,” said Clark Public Utilities Safety Manager Justin Zucconi. “That’s not to say outages aren’t inconvenient — nobody enjoys them and we work hard to keep the lights on — but, with a home outage kit at the ready, they shouldn’t be too difficult to manage. For those who want more peace of mind, a generator can help.”
Investing in a portable generator could be a wise decision, if your home endures more than few prolonged outages a year. Homeowners who probably relate to that the most live in the rural parts of the county farthest from substations. Long outages are rare in urban parts of the county because the grid is robust and redundant in those areas. However, if someone in the household cannot be without power for long, such as those who depend on life-saving medical equipment, a portable generator could prove useful.
Portable generators supply between 2,000 and 7,000 watts; not nearly enough power for even half a home, but enough to improve comfort or power important devices.
Generators should never be connected to the home’s electric panel. Not only are they too small to power an entire home, doing so can be deadly. When a generator is connected to the panel it can push electricity out of your home and into the utility lines around it. That backfeed is extremely dangerous for utility crews who may be working to restore power in your neighborhood.
Always connect generators directly to the devices they power. Use a properly sized extension cord and consider investing in a device to protect your electronics and appliances.
“Even the best conventional generators don’t produce clean power. The tiny surges and drops in power they inevitably produce can easily damage sensitive electronics like TVs and computers,” Zucconi said. “If you’re going to power sensitive equipment, protect it by running a surge protector, surge arrester or generator-ready uninterruptible power supply between it and the generator.”
If you’re worried about perishable foods, you can connect your fridge or freezer to a generator. You don’t have to run it all day or all night, just long enough to keep the food cold.
During an outage, freezers and refrigerators should be opened as little as possible. Households without a generator can add ice to the fridge or move especially sensitive foods to a cooler with ice if the outage lasts more than a few hours.
Like an idling car, generators produce exhaust that is dangerous and potentially fatal. Operate them as far from the house as reasonably possible–but never too close to your neighbor’s home. Never operate a generator in a garage, even with the door open, under a carport or near open windows. That said, it’s smart to protect it from the weather, so consider putting it under a gazeebo or a portable shelter.
For safety’s sake, shut the generator off before refueling it. Avoid spills at all costs. A hot engine is enough to ignite a fire when gasoline is present.
Remember that a car is also a generator that can create heat and charge small devices like cell phones. Keeping a full tank of gas is another way to stay safe if the power goes out.
Energy Adviser is produced by Clark Public Utilities and relies on the expertise of utility energy counselors and staff, who provide conservation and energy use information. To contact us call 360-992-3355, email ecod@clarkpud.com or visit www.clarkpublicutilities.com.
