Why Every Michigan Homeowner Should Consider Home Backup Generators
Anyone who has lived in Michigan knows that the state is no stranger to extreme weather conditions, storms, and other calamities. From frequent thunderstorms to extreme snowfall, it’s only obvious the state experiences some significant power disruptions year round. Oftentimes, families have to go through power outages for days.
That’s when inconvenience peaks, especially when you can’t even use everyday essentials. Worse, these disruptions can pose multiple risks for the entire family. Fortunately, home backup generators step in as reliable power solutions, regardless of how long the blackouts last.
Let’s explore why they’re the ultimate saviors to get through Michigan weather!
Why Do Storms Cause Power Outages
Since the 1980 to this year, Michigan has experienced 58 weather-related calamities, each causing over $1 billion in damages. With the frequent events hitting Michigan each year, it’s only natural to assume the state deals with power outages more often than other US states.
Storms, heavy snowfalls, and strong winds leave homeowners without power for days. It makes sense why residents frequently list queries like “Electrician near me” or “Electrical supply near me.”
However, you may be wondering “Why exactly do storms cause power outages?” Well, here’s a quick rundown of why storms may lead to such lengthy power outages, particularly in Michigan:
Strong Winds
Typically, storms lead to blackouts due to the strong winds that accompany them. These strong winds make the trees and their branches swing, which often end up touching the powerline. The result? Electricity cuts off automatically as a safety measure.
Other times, the Michigan winds might be strong enough to knock down entire power lines or pull down trees, leading to outages for days until fixed properly.
Heavy Rain
When it rains heavily, the chances of power outages increase, primarily due to the added stress on electrical systems. For instance, heavy rain may tear down insulation on power lines, and the exposed wires may result in short circuits – which can be deadly.
Lightning during rain is another big reason for power cuts, which end up damaging power lines, transformers, and other electric supplies. Not to forget, if water seeps into any small cracks or breaks, it might lead to bigger problems down the line.
Snow & Ice Storms
Michigan sees snow and ice storms quite often, especially in cities like Detroit and the entire upper peninsula of Michigan. When heavy ice or snow builds up on power lines, it causes the lines to sag up completely. These weighty lines are more prone to breaking, resulting in power outages in the state that could last up to several days.
The Impact of Power Outages on Michigan Homes
Recent news highlights that Michigan has experienced worse power outages than all other US states other than Texas. This means relying solely on the power grids and refusing to opt for home backup generators might be the worst chance to take. Needless to say, these outages entirely disrupt the resident’s daily lives, particularly during cold, challenging times.
Let’s take a closer look at how these weather-driven outages impact Michigan homes and make lives harder for folks:
Spoiled Food
When the power goes out, your freezer stop working, which leads to all your stored food spoiling in no time.
While refrigerators might keep the food cool for up to four hours, extended power cuts make the temperature inside rise. This risks ruining the perishable items like meat and dairy in your fridge. In a long power outage, your food might spoil completely — with boatloads of groceries wasted.
Lack of Lighting
Goes without saying that a power outage plunges your home into darkness for as long as the light is out. While you may seek a temporary resort with flashlights, it’s hard to go on with these for long.
Inability to Power Medical Devices
In households where a family member survives on electric medical equipment like oxygen machines or CPAP devices, a power outage may end up threatening their lives. Luckily, home backup generators can help overcome this situation.
Heat & Air Conditioning
Depending on the season, a power outage may leave you struggling to deal with Michigan’s harsh weather on your own. You often have to go without air conditioning in summer and survive the freezing cold weather without heaters. This can be particularly dangerous for babies and elderly people with weaker bodies to get them through weather extremities.
How Home Backup Generators Help Through Michigan’s Extreme Weather
Now that we know how Michigan’s harsh weather impacts households, it’s easy to see why the need for an alternative to traditional grids is more pressing than ever today. Fortunately, a home backup generator can be a real lifesaver. It helps get you through power issues so you no longer have to deal with the aftermath of storms for days.
When you have a reliable generator for home installation, you’re set to keep the lights running, food supplies fresh, and heating and cooling systems working optimally. The best part? By looking up “Home generator installation near me,” you can instantly connect to local pros who can install your generator so you’re no longer left in the dark during power outages.
FAQs
Can You Run an At-home Emergency Generator During a Storm?
While you can run your home backup generators during a storm, it’s best to wait until its severity has subsided. Sometimes, running them during harsh weather might even damage them.
Where Should I Put My Generator During a Storm in Michigan?
During storms in Michigan, place your generators in a flat, dry area outside, at least 15-20 feet away from doors and windows. Avoid putting it under trees that might fall and damage it.
How Do I Protect My Generator From Lightning?
To protect your generator from lightning, make sure you ground it properly. This directs the excess electricity safely into the ground, reducing damage to your generator.
Final Thoughts
Harsh weather conditions are a bitter truth in Michigan, but power outages no longer have to be. With reliable home backup generators, you can save your family days of discomfort and the dangers of power cuts. The sooner you get your hands on a backup generator, the better off you will be!
So, before you find yourself looking for “Generac dealers near me,” join hands with Grizzly Electric so you no longer have to spend a minute without power!
