Most people rely on a steady supply of electricity to keep their homes functional— from cooking food and doing laundry to keeping the basement dry. With natural disasters, accidents, load shedding, and power interruptions becoming more common these days, there has been a significant need for emergency generators to manage the home efficiently. These devices provide homes with a power backup, helping people, including seniors, stay stress-free during emergencies and power outages.
The need for emergency generators in senior homes
Health safety and security
One of the main reasons to invest in an emergency generator for senior homes is to ensure that the power supply never gets interrupted. Electricity outages can cause HVAC systems and other devices to come to a complete halt. As a result, it may become too hot, chilly, or damp in the living premises, causing distress to seniors. It may also limit the light sources around their homes, impacting visibility and movement. Those dependent on special devices or healthcare equipment (such as dialysis machines, ventilators, respirators, oxygen machines, etc.) may also become more vulnerable during a power outage.
With an emergency generator, seniors can navigate these issues and ensure they remain in a safe and secure environment with no immediate risks to their health.
Lifestyle and convenience
Power outages and blackouts may limit access to daily conveniences like cooking appliances (microwaves, ovens, electric stove tops, mixer-blenders, refrigerators, etc.), entertainment devices, and personal care equipment, causing significant disruption in daily life. Using a power backup such as an emergency generator can help avoid this disturbance to one’s routine.
Continued telecommunication
Staying connected with loved ones is crucial, especially during emergencies. Unfortunately, this can become difficult during a power outage. Having an emergency generator can help avoid this issue, providing seniors with a way to remain connected and informed at all times.
Factors to consider when picking an emergency generator
Generator size
The size of the emergency generator determines the duration and number of appliances it can power.
- Small/portable generators
These small devices are enough to supply power to a single room for a limited period. While they are not powerful enough to keep the entire house running, their economic nature makes them an attractive option for many homes. Typically, these generators cost anywhere between $500 and $2,000. Although most of these devices work on fossil fuels, one may be able to find solar or battery-powered options at a surcharge. - Medium emergency generators
Smaller, medium-sized generators (1,000-5,000 watts) can easily power multiple survival appliances, such as refrigerators, sump pumps, furnace fans, etc.
Inverter generators fall under this category, providing a stellar source of clean energy to power one’s home. These options also tend to be lighter and quieter compared to traditional generators. Since these appliances produce a limited amount of energy, one will need to manage the electricity supply to their home to ensure the generator does not overload. - Large emergency generators
These generators (6,000 and 8,000 watts) can power most essential appliances, plus a few more (like a microwave, washing machine, coffee maker, etc.) for added convenience. To use their power, one must connect them to manual transfer switches instead of running extension cords from the generator. - Extra large emergency generators
To run the full home on a generator without feeling tied down, one must invest in an extra-large emergency generator (10,000+ watts). These powerful devices can be used to supply most devices and are capable of starting many high-powered devices due to their increased surge wattage.
Fuel type
The type of fuel used in any generator plays an important role in its power generation and maintenance requirements. Propane and natural gas generators are rather popular thanks to their fuel redundancy and versatility. They are also considered energy-efficient and clean-burning, making them ideal for most homes.
Gasoline is one of the most common fuels used in residential generators due to its ease of availability. But its lower shelf-life and flash point can make it a hazard to have at home. Conversely, diesel generators are used to power larger facilities. But they produce a lot of polluting emissions and require regular and careful maintenance.
Amidst growing environmental concerns, there has recently been a noted shift towards solar and battery-powered generators in many residential and commercial spaces, making them another stellar alternative for senior homes.
Price
Emergency generators require a significant investment, costing between $4,000 and $25,000 for a whole-home system. One also needs to account for additional costs, such as installation, maintenance, and fuel, to ensure efficient functioning of the generator.
To save some money on these essential devices, seniors can also consider buying a used or unsold emergency generator. Prices tend to be lowest around late summer and early fall, with many companies offering sales and discounts on their unsold generator inventory. So, be sure to keep an eye out for special emergency generator price lists for seniors.
