Power Outage Facts Sheet

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⚡ Power Outages & Home Standby Generators

What Every Homeowner Should Know

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The Reality of Power Outages

   •    Increasing Frequency: Severe weather, rolling blackouts, and aging power grids have made outages more common.

   •    Average Duration: Power outages in the U.S. average 6–8 hours, but storms can leave homes dark for days or weeks.

   •    Common Causes:

   •    Severe storms (wind, ice, lightning, hurricanes, tornadoes)

   •    Overloaded electrical grids (especially in extreme heat/cold)

   •    Equipment failures or accidents

   •    Planned outages for maintenance or conservation

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Impacts of a Power Outage

   •    Food Spoilage: Refrigerators and freezers begin warming within hours.

   •    Home Comfort: No heating or cooling can make homes unsafe during extreme weather.

   •    Medical Concerns: Critical equipment like oxygen machines, CPAP devices, or powered medical beds stop working.

   •    Home Security: Security systems and cameras may go offline.

   •    Work & Connectivity: No power for internet, phones, or home offices.

   •    Flood Risk: Without power, sump pumps stop working, leading to basement flooding.

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What a Home Standby Generator Can Do

Unlike portable units, a standby generator is permanently installed outside your home and connected to your natural gas or propane supply. It automatically powers your home when the grid goes down.

Benefits:

✅ Automatic Operation – Turns on within seconds of an outage.

✅ Whole-Home Protection – Powers critical systems like HVAC, refrigerators, lights, medical devices, and security.

✅ Fuel Supply Security – Runs on natural gas or propane, so no waiting in gas lines or refueling.

✅ Peace of Mind – You don’t even have to be home for it to work.

✅ Added Value – Increases home value and appeal to future buyers.

✅ 24/7 Protection – Keeps your home running no matter how long the outage lasts.

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The Bottom Line

With storms, extreme temperatures, and rolling blackouts becoming more common, a home standby generator isn’t just a convenience—it’s peace of mind.

When the power fails, yours won’t.