“If you live in an area with frequent (more than three times a year) or lengthy (more than several hours) blackouts, then a standby generator becomes more of a necessity than a simple convenience.” Popular Mechanics

Standby Generators- Do You Need a Standby Generator?

Californians aren’t taking electricity for granted any more. Not with headlines and statistics like these:

Pacific Gas & Electric now says customers can expect outages for at least a decade as it upgrades its systems. Some areas of California could see 15 or more blackouts a year, lasting two to five days.”

(Los Angeles Times, PG&E warns of 10 years of power shut-offs) 

“PG&E carried out four power shut-offs. The largest was from Oct. 9 through Oct. 12, affecting 738,000 customers in 35 counties radiating out from the Sacramento area and up to 2 million people.” (NPR, Are Blackouts The Future For California?)

For California, massive power blackouts could become a way of life (NBC)

California’s deliberate blackouts will happen again (VOX)

Unfortunately, California’s aging electric infrastructure and permanently heightened risk of severe weather and widespread wildfires mean that headlines like these aren’t going away soon. In fact, you might have already experienced (as our marketing coordinator Korry Talbott did) one or more of these massive blackouts.

Fortunately, a blackout no longer means you & your family have to lose power. You can still cook and preserve food, keep essential home processes running, and maintain communications — even during the largest & most long-lived blackout — with the help of a backup home generator.

But while residential backup generators provide comfort and security, they’re also a significant investment. 

So the question sometimes lingers: does your particular home actually need a residential backup generator? Or can a few nights of canned candlelit dinners and no-internet games tide you over? 

We’ll be honest: while increased blackouts make home generators an excellent investment for most Californian homes, some families & locations do need a reliable power source more than others. 

The authorities on this decision are those who have made it themselves. So one of our Duthie representatives, Peter Thornton, asked Duthie customers why a home generator wasn’t just nice, but necessary, for them. 

Here are 5 reasons to have a residential backup generator according to our customers:

1. Someone in My Family Depends on a Medical Device.   

This is one of the most common and important reasons Duthie customers give. Home generators ensure that their loved ones are safe during a blackout — that life-saving devices that can’t afford to lose power, don’t. 

Often-used medical home devices that depend on reliable power include: 

• Heart monitors
• Oxygen tanks
• C-Pap machines
• Power chairs
• Home elevators & stair chairs 

So if you or a family member depends on one of these medical devices, maintaining power in a blackout can save a life. 

2. I Have an Electric Driveway Gate. 

Several of our customers call us because their driveway contains an electric gate. If the power goes out and the driveway gate is closed, they’re stuck at home unless they have a backup generator to open it. 

While not as necessary, here’s another transportation-friendly perk of home generators: you can also use it to charge any electric vehicles you have!

3. I Need Food And/or Well Water.

We all depend on safe, unspoiled food and water. Since perishable food begins to go bad after just 4 hours at room temperature, this is perhaps the most common reason people buy residential backup generators.

And it isn’t just the inconvenience of living off canned food for days. Replacing these gets expensive: 

• Fish from fishing trips
• Meat from hunting trips
• Premium seafood, cheese, and other animal products
• All other perishable foods

A home generator can not only keep these foods fresh, but also power your stove or microwave so you can enjoy delicious meals even during blackouts.  

In addition, many of our rural customers use backup generators to ensure safe well-water as well as food. Since a well requires electricity to power its pump, a generator is needed to provide clean drinking water during blackouts.

4. My Area Has Extreme Temperatures.

If you live in a desert climate, you already know that it can get very hot or very cold. Many of our home customers live where summer day temperatures can spike to over 100 degrees, then drop to below freezing at night and in winter. 

While some sturdy souls might be able to withstand such extremes during a blackout, most people — especially families with senior citizens or health conditions — can’t afford to lose their A/C or heat. Such oppressive temperatures are not only energy-sapping and painful, but can also cause severe health issues such as strokes, dehydration, and hypothermia.

Fortunately, Duthie customers have found a simple solution: a residential backup generator that creates a comfortable, safe home environment by powering the A/C & heat during blackouts.

5. I Need Electricity to Work From Home or Run My Home Business.

Vacation & Air BnB Rentals 

Several Duthie customers reported that they rent house space with VRBO, or host paying guests with AirBnB. They bought their generator because they can’t afford to lose power when their customers are present. Not only would they have to refund their customers, but they also risk losing business due to a bad review for a blackout that wasn’t their fault. 

With their backup generator, these hosts can boost business by guaranteeing reliable power and a positive experience for their guests — blackout or no blackout.

Home Offices

The Internet-based work world has brought much-needed balance to many professionals through long-distance jobs, work from home arrangements, and freelancing opportunities. 

However, the flip side is that these jobs depend on electricity to keep at least your computer, smartphone, and Wi-Fi running during a blackout. So home generators keep you, your manager, and your clients happy. 

So Why Have a Backup Home Generator?

For Duthie customers, the answers go far beyond a mere, “I don’t want to live without power.” And while their answers vary, one thing remains constant: 

Peace of Mind.

Once their generator is installed, they experience the tranquility and confidence that comes with knowing their family will keep power during a blackout — no matter how long or widespread. 

Interested in learning more about the benefits of backup home generators? Get in touch with our home generator professionals at onlinesales@duthiepower.com or just call us up at (866) 838-7962. We’d love to hear how we can help!