How to Keep the Power On in Bethesda

Anyone who lives in Bethesda, Chevy Chase or the general DC metro area has had their power knocked out by a storm. Sometimes it’s only gone for minutes, but in extreme situations it can be hours or days. If you have a critical need to keep your power on at all times, consider a standby generator. This is a stand-alone unit that sits outside your house and is run by an alternative power source such as propane or natural gas. If the electricity fails, the unit is signaled to turn on even if you’re not home.

These units are pricey, from $5,000 to $40,000, but they do recoup about 48 percent of their cost when you sell. What follows is some information from Houselogic.com on how to assess if this is really what you need.

Buying a standby generator is like buying insurance—you really can’t tell when or if you’ll need it. Some critical decision factors are:

·         Your area has frequent, prolonged power losses.

·         You and/or your family rely on medical equipment that needs electricity.

·         You work at home and need to stay connected to your office.

If you live where it’s hot, a generator ensures that children and the elderly are protected from the heat. This obviously works in reverse in cold areas and can also help prevent pipes from freezing and flooding the house, which can be a lot more expensive than the price of the generator.

Once you’ve decided this is for you, evaluate your power requirements. Home wattage use varies, and the more power a generator will supply the more it costs. Then decide what you want or need powered in an emergency. It can be as little as the AC, the fridge, and some lights, to as much as the whole house. A 3,000 square-foot house could need 25 to 30 kilowatts of power. Just running a few things requires as little as 17kW. The bigger the need, the larger the generator required.

Whenever possible, have your generator supplier set up your service, as they’re most familiar with the product. Otherwise, you need a plumber to connect the fuel source and an electrician to connect to your home’s power supply. Make sure anyone you use is licensed and certified for your unit, that they know the local codes regarding location and fuel storage and whether a permit is needed.

Along with the cost of the generator and its installation, remember to budget for the type of fuel it will use. In addition, will you need to plumb for a gas line or perhaps purchase and install a propane tank? It’s a good idea to talk with your plumber or utility company before you buy the generator to ensure you can get an affordable alternative power source in your area.

Once set up, you can relax and know that you’ll have power despite Mother Nature’s whims, and that you’ve also added value to your home.

Contact me, Mynor Herrera, today for expert help buying or selling in the DC, MD, & VA areas! I also specialize in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, as well as the sub-divisions of Rosemary Hills, Rock Creek Forest, East Bethesda & Whitehall Condominium.