Any home project that will increase the livability and value of your house is worth considering. A home improvement project is rated by its return on investment (ROI), which is basically how much you receive in returns on particular investments. Most projects won’t give you a 100% ROI, but some projects are worth your time and money more than others and they can increase your house value. An example of a home project that doesn’t fare well in ROI is gourmet style kitchens. Most home buyers would not be that interested in having a fancy kitchen when just a new paint job and some fixes here and there will do the trick. A midrange and minor kitchen remodel will bring you in 81.1% ROI compared to a major kitchen remodel that will bring you in 59.0%. Big difference!
What can increase home value is the purchase of a standby generator which is a midrange project, cost-wise. A standby generator, also known as a backup generator, provides a permanent solution to power outages.
Two Types of Generators:</h3
1. Whole House Generators
Whole house generators use fuel like natural gas or diesel. It is a fixed piece of machinery that is connected to your indoor wiring. These generators automatically start and supply power once they detect an outage.
Before you purchase one, you need to determine just how much power you actually need. Choosing one that is too small might not run the appliances that use a lot of power like your HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Condition) system, and choosing one too large and powerful will be a waste of fuel. The purchasing guide by Krugerpower will be a great help to review and compare the different diesel whole house generators on the market. Diesel-powered generators are better than petrol-powered ones since they consume less fuel and prove to be more cost-effective, running on half the fuel that a petrol generator would use. Generators are rated in kilowatts (kW); 1000 watts equals 1kW. The first step in choosing a generator is to determine which appliances you want to be powered during an outage. Basically, you will want to start by choosing the necessities, like your fridge, and work your way down to comfort.
2. Portable Generators
Though they have a limited power threshold, portable generators are a popular choice, since as their name suggests, they’re easy to move around making them flexible and a good choice that provides a temporary solution to power outages. They can also work nicely for outdoor activities, such as overnight camping.
As long as you are considering making some home improvements, then a generator should be on your list. Previously it was more popular for only hospitals, factories or business offices to have a generator backup, but residential homeowners now see the advantages of having one too, protecting their home in more ways than one. Have a look at some of these advantages.
Severe Weather
Storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes have become more common and frequent across areas in the USA. These severe weather conditions may force you to evacuate your home. After you’re allowed to return home, the chance of having no electrical power is almost a sure bet. If you choose to brave the storm, it can leave you stuck without electricity for anywhere from hours, to days, to weeks. If you live in an area fraught with tornadoes or hurricanes, the choice to remain safe and comfortable shouldn’t be a hesitant decision to make.
Protect Your Appliances
Power surges can cause an appliance to malfunction. Unplanned power surges happen when there is an interruption of the flow of electricity, then starts again. The most vulnerable items prone to damage are items containing microprocessor chips like computers, wireless phones, microwaves and more. A large surge that comes from outages can cause immediate damage by melting parts of the equipment, for instance. To better protect your appliance, you might need to hire some professional local electricians to check your home setting on site.
Plumbing
Imagine having a home renovation, only to have your water pipes freeze and explode during cold winter months? During an outage, sump pumps, tankless water heaters, pump-assisted toilets, and pump-assisted sewer systems won’t work. When sump pumps can’t work, you can find your basement flooding, for instance. As winter just seems to get colder and colder, water pipes are more prone to bursting from water frozen in them.
Even though the upfront costs of some generators are cheaper than others, you should try to avoid them because our homes are full of appliances and equipment that depend on electricity and these appliances and devices are likely to increase in number. You can increase your house value, protect your home and appliances, and make sure your needs and comforts are met when you choose to have a standby generator.