Older homes have an incredible amount of charm and nostalgia. While some of that charm stems from the old-world construction practices of ornate stonework and interesting woodworking, there are also negative aspects of living in a dated home, namely the electrical system. We bought our first older home a few years ago, and it has been interesting to see just how much of a problem the electrical system has been. We knew that we needed to update a large portion of the space, so we started going through and having sections replaced. This website is here to help other people to know when to work with electricians.
When trying to meet your home energy needs, you might wonder if you may be able to meet your home energy needs with a generator alone. By doing so, you'd be able to take yourself entirely off of the grid. However, the power grid is much cheaper than relying on a generator and more convenient.
Generators are More Expensive
Much of the cost of powering your home with a generator comes from the type of fuel the generator uses. If you're powering your generator with gasoline, you'll save the most money. Diesel, propane and natural gas are more expensive respectively. But regardless of what type fuel your generator takes, you're best off relying on the power grid until you're forced to use a generator after the power goes out.
Generators are Less Convenient
There are other disadvantages to living off the grid and relying on a generator. For example, generators are louder and will also produce fumes, which can cause unpleasant odors in your home.
Depending on where you live, it might not be practical to use an electric generator. In some locations, you need a building permit to use one. If you are renting, you may need special permission from a landlord to use a generator. Using a gas-powered generator in a room that isn't vented might be grounds for eviction. If you own your own property, contact your local building department to find out how they handle generators in your jurisdiction. Also, make sure to check with your homeowner's association.
Both Generators and Home Electricity Require Maintenance
When relying on the power grid, you'll occasionally need assistance from electrical contractors who will service your home. However, an electrical generator will also need maintenance. Generators are not designed to run constantly without being serviced, so make sure to not rely too much on your electric generator.
Generally, when you're powering your home with a generator, you'll want to use it only to supply energy to appliances necessary for survival. If you would like to make use of all of your appliances, you may want to rely on the main power grid rather than using a generator, since most generators will not generate the power necessary to power all of your appliances. If you're not using the main power grid because you're not sufficiently connected to the power grid, contact an electrical contractor to get power restored to your home.