In this climate, you can’t be without air conditioning for long

Last July, we got hit with a terrible thunderstorm. The high winds knocked down branches, trees and powerlines. There was torrential downpours, extensive flooding and widespread power outages. My home was without electricity for four days. Going without power is not only inconvenient but can cause damage and expense. Without the sump pump running, the basement filled with water. The washer and dryer were beyond repair, the furnace was badly damaged and we had issues with mold growth and unpleasant smells. The food in the refrigerator and freezer spoiled. We had no access to running water, lights, television or internet. The outside temperature remained in the upper eighties with high humidity, but we couldn’t turn on the air conditioner. Due to the rain, we couldn’t even open the windows. The house quickly became overheated, sticky and nearly unbearable.

The power outage was a horrible experience, but it could have been much worse. It got me thinking about what would happen if we lost power during the middle of the winter. My local area faces temperatures well below zero. Without heat, the water pipes would definitely freeze and possibly burst. My family couldn’t remain in the house without a working furnace. We’d be forced to travel to a hotel during dangerous driving conditions. I decided to invest into a permanently-installed standby generator. In the event of a power outage, the generator automatically starts up and provides power for as long as necessary. Because it runs on natural gas, there’s no worry over refueling. Now, my family no longer has to worry about being without air conditioning, heating, refrigeration, lights or running water. 

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