Hi Burton,

In the last big storm, our power was knocked out for several hours. That got me thinking, should we consider getting a whole house generator? If we only have a couple of storms a year, is it really worth the price?

  • Amped Up Anthony

Dear Anthony,

That’s a great question. Seems like every time a big storm rolls through Omaha or Council Bluffs, we have a number of customers ask about whole house generators! Especially if it was a snowstorm that left them out in the cold. In some of our service areas, customers have been without power for multiple days following ‌heavy snow!

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re seriously considering the investment:

Whole house generators are the most reliable power supply available to you.

They turn on automatically and shut down as soon as power is restored. And because a permanent generator taps right into your home’s natural gas or propane supply, you never have to worry about refilling (and spilling) fuel while fumbling around in the dark.

Whole home generators are also cost-effective. You only pay for what you use, so in a year with few or no power outages, you have little more than the cost of an annual maintenance visit to think about.

Depending on the generator you choose, you can power your entire home, or just what you need.

Bigger whole house generators have the ability to power your major appliances, lights, and heating or air for weeks. That means your food stays fresh, your garage door opens and closes, and your family stays comfortable, no matter how long it takes the power company to restore your utilities. And for residents who rely on life-saving electronic medical equipment, this kind of reliable generator is a must.

But whole-home isn’t the only permanent generator option. Some Omaha homeowners opt for a smaller unit that powers just the essentials, like your fridge and a few lights. While you may not be able to have a home movie night with the TV blaring, the A/C running, and ice cream chilling in the freezer while you’re running a load of laundry, a smaller generator can support enough appliances to take the inconvenience out of outages.

Low-use generators last.

Many home comfort systems have to be replaced every 15-30 years. Water heaters, HVAC units, and kitchen appliances, for example, get heavy use—and it wears on them. But because your backup generator seldom powers up, as long as you’re maintaining it annually, it can last 25-40 years!

At Burton, our comprehensive generator maintenance keeps your backup system at-the-ready all year long—for spring showers and winter snowstorms alike.

Whole house generators have the potential to pay for themselves

When you’re ready to sell your home, having a well-maintained and high-functioning whole house generator can boost the value of your sale. Add that to how much you’ll save in spoiled food or temporary accommodations for longer power outages, and it’s quite possible your generator will eventually pay for itself—f not in dollars and cents, in year-round comfort.

So should you opt for a whole house generator—and protect your family next time it storms?

If you rely on essential medical equipment or have little ones at home, a whole-house generator is more than worth it. But if you don’t mind using flashlights and portable heaters when the power’s down, it may be more of a welcome upgrade than an absolute necessity.

Some families are more impacted by power outages than others. But every family deserves the peace of mind that comes from knowing no matter how long the lights are out around you, your home is bright, safe, and warm (or cool!).

Want a free estimate on a whole house generator for your Omaha home? Just Call Burton!

Call today to learn more about our preferred generator brands, easy financing options, and free in-home estimates. We’re on call 24/7 at (402) 343-0011, or send us a message. And don’t forget to ask about our seasonal promotions!