Hurricane Prep More Critical in the Age of COVID
Generator Industry Chimes in on Preparing for the 2020 Hurricane Season
BOLINGBROOK, IL (June 20, 2020) - With June’s official start to the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season coinciding with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, electric generator manufacturers are anticipating a busy summer of helping customers prepare for storms.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a 60 percent chance of this hurricane season being above normal in terms of storm activity. NOAA also forecasts 6-10 hurricanes forming, of which 3-6 could be major storms.
Furthermore, experts predict that the aftermaths of these storms could be more severe due to continuing social distancing measures and restrictions to combat the Coronavirus. For example, power outages could last longer if there is a shortage of utility workers due to social distancing or illness.
“The number one issue people face in the aftermath of a storm is losing power,” says Larry Teeling, Director – Marketing, North America for Kohler. “Almost everything in our lives requires electricity, and we are increasingly dependent on technology and staying connected – power is that essential. And when power is lost, it cuts off communication, it impacts our comfort. The fastest way to recovery is when people have access to safe, reliable power.”
The impacts of power loss are heightened in today’s unprecedented environment. “Preparation is even more important during this time of pandemic,” says Amie Alvarado, Vice President of Marketing for Generac. “As more people work from home, backup power becomes critical not just for convenience, but for livelihood.”
Securing Backup Power
To protect one’s home and livelihood, industry experts emphasize the importance of having a source of backup power ready before the storm. “Hurricanes are extremely unpredictable relative to the area of impact and the intensity of storm damage,” says Todd Welzbacher, Vice-President Sales & Business Development – Champion Power Equipment. “Having the security of an emergency back-up generator allows the homeowner to be prepared for power outages and offers the comfort of knowing that you can continue to operate your essential household appliances after a storm.” When it comes to selecting a backup generator, homeowners can choose between portable and standby units. “A larger portable with a manual transfer switch has a lower price point for initial purchase and installation, however, it requires the homeowner to be home to manually transfer power to the portable and then back to the utility power once the outage is over,” explains Teeling. “Something to consider is that even larger portable generators do not supply enough [clean] power to back-up an entire home including large appliances, such as air conditioners. That’s when you may want to consider an automatic standby generator.” Standby generators are permanently installed units that switch on automatically when they detect a power outage and are a major step-up from portables. Unlike portable generators, which need to be constantly and manually refueled every 8-10 hours, standby generators are connected to a natural gas line or a large propane tank for a consistent flow of fuel. “They can provide all the power needed to back up an entire home, including ‘hardwired’ equipment such as furnaces and air conditioners. And because they run on natural gas or propane, they don't need refueling in the middle of severe weather,” says Alvarado. “It’s really a decision between cost vs. comfort,” adds Welzbacher. “A 5,000-watt to 7,500-watt portable generator costs around $1,000, and can provide enough power to operate your emergency essential appliances during a power outage like lights, refrigerator, stove, sump pump, etc." He goes on to say that the greater power and convenience of standby generators, comes at a higher cost of $3,000 to $5,000 for the generator, and $2,500 to $4,000 for an average installation.