In the case of a total power blackout, we finally understand and see how deeply embedded electricity is in our daily lives. It feels as though someone makes us go 200 years in the past and experience what people have been experiencing at the moment. It also feels as though the world has come to a stop and complete silence occupies our minds and hearts. However, blackouts can be dangerous for smaller and bigger operations that heavily rely on a constant flow of electrical energy. Maybe a small home might be able to withstand the shutdown for a few hours, but our economy is not so good. And even in the case of family homes, if your whole installation relies on electricity and it happens during the winter, you’re putting your whole family at certain health risks as the temperatures can drop below zero. While on the topic, you might be wondering, with everything taken into account, what the best emergency power solutions are and how to make the right choice. In the text below, we’ll discuss that and more and go through some simple tips you’ll need to follow. Read on!
Assess Your Power Needs
The first step in implementing an efficient emergency power solution is determining your power requirements. Determine which devices and systems are critical during the outage. This usually includes medical equipment, freezers, communication gadgets, and lights. Why, you might ask? The reason is simple, once you understand your power requirements, it allows you to select an adequately sized generator or battery system, ensuring that you can keep important functions running without overloading your backup power source. This applies to both homes and small businesses, bigger operations, or smaller-scale industries. Whatever the case, you’ll find it useful to have these things in mind.
Choose the Right Generator
This is a tricky one, but it goes hand in hand with the above-mentioned statement. Once you’ve assessed your power needs and have a comprehensive understanding of how much energy you’ll need to sustain yourself during a blackout, the next step is to pick the right generator. There are several sorts of generators, including portable generators, inverter generators, and standby generators. Portable generators are inexpensive and may be moved to different sites, whereas standby generators are permanently placed and switched on automatically during a power loss. Inverter generators produce cleaner electricity and are suitable for delicate devices. Consider the benefits and drawbacks of each type to choose the best fit for your requirements. While on the topic of generators, you’ll also need to pick an Automatic transfer switch, as they’ll ensure the transition is happening smoothly and your whole system is not being shut down because switching to the generator might take some time and need to be done manually. That’s a mistake, especially if you have machines in your operation that are damaged if they’re not attached to an energy source for a longer period. The best part about these switches is that it happens immediately and you don’t even have to be present.
Invest in Quality Battery Backup Systems
Before you say anything about the costs, you’ll need to think of it as a long-term investment rather than anything else. Nobody is doubting how much it might cost you, but keep in mind that with the money you pay now, you’ll do it once, but if any of your machines break down because of a sudden lack of energy or if your whole operation is put on a hold because of it, the costs will outweigh the investment. What kind of backup should you be looking for? Backup battery solutions, such as uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and solar battery storage, are ideal alternatives to generators. A UPS may provide you with important equipment and rapid power, preventing data loss and enabling safe shutdowns. Solar battery systems may store the energy produced by solar panels, providing a sustainable and silent power source.
Regular Maintenance and Testing
Regular maintenance and testing are required to guarantee that your emergency power solutions work when you need them the most. Generators should be examined regularly, and oil and filters replaced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Battery systems should be inspected for charge levels and general condition. Conduct frequent checks to ensure that your equipment works correctly during an outage. This proactive strategy can help prevent breakdowns and extend the life of your emergency power systems. That’s the idea to make it work as long as possible, as it gives you more time for the initial investment to pay off. And if you’re struggling to find the time to do it all, you can simply ask a professional to help you with it and do it instead of you. It doesn’t take much but it goes a long way.
Plan for Fuel Storage and Safety
As the owner of a generator, you’ll also have to think about safety measures and dual storage. Generators have to run on something to provide electricity, so you’ll need to think beforehand about how to store that fuel and where. Store gasoline in authorized containers in a cool, dry location away from residential areas. And, fuel shelf life; gasoline, for example, can deteriorate over time, so you may need to add stabilizers or rotate your fuel supply regularly. Also, keep your generator in a well-ventilated place to reduce carbon monoxide accumulation. Last but not least, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with safety standards to avoid accidents and enable efficient operations in an emergency.
All in all, making sure you have a constant working flow of energy is something that ensures the safety of your home, your business, and your operations at all times. Thankfully, nowadays it’s easy to make all this possible and it doesn’t take half the time it would usually. Plus, with all this said, the last thing to do is make a little shopping list and go one by one until you’ve checked all the items on the list. Take your time, consult with a few experienced professionals, and enjoy.