Serving Milford, MA & the 
Living in Milford, MA, has plenty of advantages. We have excellent schools, plentiful parks and nature trails, and a close-knit community. We’re also within easy reach of Boston. However, one of the drawbacks is that our region experiences its fair share of bad weather. Nor’easters are a frequent occurrence and are more than an inconvenience. When they hit, homes here often end up without power for varying lengths of time. That makes generators a common sight in the area. Unfortunately, not every homeowner knows how to use a generator safely as a backup power source. Here’s what you need to know to do so.
Never Use a Generator Indoors
The most critical generator safety rule is only to use your generator outdoors. Generators expel carbon monoxide as they run, which can be fatal to humans in sufficient concentrations. Plus, your generator poses a fire hazard because of its fuel. Whenever you use a generator as a backup power source, ensure it’s at least 20 feet from your home. Rotate it so the generator exhaust goes away from your home and not toward it. It’s also a good idea to test your home’s carbon monoxide detectors before you use a generator nearby.
Beware of Running Your Furnace on a Generator
One of the primary reasons Milford homeowners want a generator is to keep their furnace running during winter outages. They often request modifications to their furnace to allow it to run on generator power. Unfortunately, not every generator is a good fit for running a furnace. Some furnaces feature sensitive electronic control boards. They require a steady voltage delivered with a smooth sine wave. A sine wave is the oscillation between positive and negative voltages that makes AC power work. Some generators output a modified sine wave that can harm your furnace’s control circuitry. You should consult a qualified electrician before running your furnace on a generator.
Watch Your Wattage
Using a generator with enough capacity for your power demands is also essential. To ensure that, you must find the wattages of every device you want running on your generator. You can typically find this information in owner’s manuals or printed on the devices. Add up your wattages to figure out how large a generator you need. Most generators feature protective circuitry that sheds loads if you exceed their capacity. However, even running a generator near its rated capacity for too long can cause problems. At a minimum, it will shorten the life of the generator. In the worst case, it could lead to the generator overheating and starting a fire. Keep your power demand to no more than 90% of your generator’s rated capacity to avoid that.
Beware of Inclement Weather
Another safety tip that may surprise you is that you shouldn’t use a portable generator in inclement weather. That includes when it’s raining or snowing. Wet conditions can lead to an extreme risk of electrocution or damage to the generator itself. However, you can use a few things to run a generator safely during a storm if necessary. One is a waterproof running generator cover that fits your specific model. Another is weatherproof power cords to carry electricity to where you need it. It is also advisable to have a pop-up canopy placed above the generator for added protection.
Let Your Generator Cool and Check Oil Periodically
You should also know that running a generator for extended periods without breaks is a bad idea. Most portable generators call for a cooldown period once every 8 to 24 hours. That will give the generator’s oil time to cool, so you can check its level and replace it or add more as necessary. If you don’t do this, you’ll dramatically shorten the life of your generator. Or worse, your generator might seize and fail when you need it most.
Never Refuel a Running Generator
While you have your generator turned off for its periodic cooldown, you should take the opportunity to refuel it. You should never attempt to refuel a generator while it’s running or hot. Doing so could lead to a fire or an explosion. If you time your cooldowns well enough, you can simultaneously take care of all your generator’s maintenance needs to minimize extra downtime.
Install a Transfer Switch
If you plan on keeping a generator around as a backup power source, you should consider installing a transfer switch. A transfer switch provides a safe way to connect your generator to your home’s electrical system. You won’t need to plug extension cords into your generator with one in place. To put one in, you will need an electrician’s help. They’ll help you decide which circuits your generator can and should support in your home. Then, they’ll segregate those circuits into their own sub-panel. That panel will feature a switch that cuts the circuits off the grid and switches them to your generator. The electrician will also install an inlet box on your home’s exterior to plug your generator into when needed.
Consider a Standby Generator
Finally, installing a standby generator is the safest option to use for backup power. Standby generators offer multiple advantages over portable generators. One is that they get permanently installed in a weather-safe housing. As a result, you don’t need to worry about operating a standby generator in wet weather. They also operate on propane or natural gas rather than gasoline. That helps to keep your operating costs lower and improve safety, too.
If you choose a natural gas model, it will connect to your home’s existing supply line. As a result, it will never need manual refueling, making it even safer and more convenient. Propane models, by comparison, come with ample storage tanks. Most can run for up to two weeks before needing a refill, and it’s done for you by a propane supply company.
A permanent standby generator will also work with an automatic transfer switch. It includes a mechanism that starts the generator and switches your home to its supply. That eliminates the need for you to make any connections or manually intervene. With an automatic transfer switch, your house would only experience a few-second outage before the power turns back on.
Trustworthy Home Generator Specialists
If you want a standby generator for your Milford home, Tingley Home Services is the name to know. We sell, install, and maintain standby generators. We only carry the latest in quality generators from today’s leading manufacturers. We also offer complete electrical services and HVAC services for both homes and businesses. We’ve been around since 2003, building a long reputation for quality, affordable services. We’re also active community members, donating our time and money to worthy local causes. We’re an Angi-certified Pro and hold Better Business Bureau accreditation. Plus, we have a long list of five-star reviews from our satisfied local customers. So, if you need a standby generator to keep the power on in your Milford home, call Tingley Home Services today!
