Generator Preparation for Hurricane Season

Hurricane Preparation

If you’re planning to use a portable generator during a hurricane, there’s one question you should answer before the power goes out:

Is your home actually ready for it?

Having a generator available is only part of the preparation. You also need to know where it will go, what you plan to power, how it will connect to your home, and whether your electrical system is set up for safe generator use.

Taking care of these details before a storm is much easier than trying to figure everything out after the power goes out.

Here are some things Florida homeowners should consider before hurricane season gets busy.

Know What You Want to Power

The first step is figuring out what you actually need during an outage.

You may not need to power your entire home. Many homeowners simply want to keep a few important things running, such as:

Refrigerator and freezer
Lights
Internet equipment
A few outlets
Medical equipment
Garage door opener
Fans
Certain kitchen appliances
Air conditioning, depending on the generator and electrical setup

Make a list of the things that matter most to your household.

Then consider how much electricity those items require.

Starting with your actual needs can help you make a more practical generator plan instead of buying or preparing for more capacity than you need.

PLAN AHEAD

Not Sure What Your Home Needs?

Use our Generator Estimator to think through what you want to power during an outage and get a better idea of your backup power needs.

Try the Generator Estimator

Check Your Generator Before You Need It

A generator sitting in the garage doesn't do much good if it won't start when the power goes out.

If you already own a portable generator, don't wait for the next hurricane to find out whether it works.

Before storm season, check the manufacturer's instructions and make sure you're familiar with:

How to start and shut down the generator
How much fuel it requires
How much power it can provide
What type of fuel it uses
How long it can run under different loads
Where it should be stored
Any maintenance requirements

If the generator has been sitting unused for a long time, this is also a good opportunity to make sure it is in working condition.

The goal isn't to become a generator expert. It's simply to avoid learning how your generator works for the first time during a power outage.

Safety First

Choose a Safe Place for Your Generator

This is one of the most important parts of generator preparation.

A portable generator should never be operated inside your home, garage, or another enclosed space.

Generators produce carbon monoxide, an odorless and potentially deadly gas. The generator needs to be placed outdoors in a location that follows the manufacturer's safety instructions and keeps exhaust away from doors, windows, and other openings.

Don't assume that opening the garage door makes it safe to run a generator inside the garage.

It doesn't.

Before hurricane season, think about where you would safely operate the generator if you lost power.

Also consider whether the location could become a problem during heavy rain or flooding. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for keeping the generator dry and operating it safely in wet conditions.

Planning the location ahead of time is much easier than figuring it out in the middle of a storm.

Electrical Safety

Avoid Connecting a Generator to a Wall Outlet

This is an important electrical safety point.

A portable generator should not be connected to your home's electrical system by plugging it into a regular wall outlet.

This practice, sometimes called backfeeding, can create serious electrical hazards and can put electricity onto wiring that was not designed for that type of connection.

It can also create dangerous conditions for utility workers who may be working to restore power.

If you want to use a portable generator to provide power to selected circuits in your home, the connection should be designed and installed properly.

That's where a generator bypass or other approved transfer equipment can come into the picture.

Plan How Your Generator Will Connect to Your Home

If you don't want to run extension cords throughout your home, you may want to talk with a qualified electrician about a generator connection system.

A properly installed generator bypass system can provide a safer and more convenient way to connect a portable generator to selected parts of your home's electrical system.

Instead of trying to improvise a connection after the power goes out, the appropriate equipment can be installed ahead of time.

The exact setup depends on your home's electrical system, the generator you plan to use and the circuits you want to operate.

That is why there isn't one generator connection that works for every house.

An electrician can look at your electrical panel and help determine what type of setup makes sense for your home.

Decide Which Circuits Matter Most

Even with a properly installed generator connection, you still need to think about how you will use the available power.

A generator has a limited amount of capacity.

If you try to run too many high-demand appliances at the same time, you can overload the generator.

Before a hurricane, identify the circuits or appliances you consider essential.

For example, your priority list might look something like:

Priority 1

Refrigerator and freezer

Priority 2

Essential lighting and outlets

Priority 3

Internet and other important electronics

Priority 4

Fans or other comfort items

Priority 5

Additional appliances if enough generator capacity remains

Your list will be different depending on your household.

The important thing is to know your priorities before you lose power.

Know What Your Generator Can Handle When It Comes to AC

Florida heat can make air conditioning one of the biggest concerns during an outage.

However, you shouldn't assume that any generator can run your home's air conditioner.

Air conditioners can require a significant amount of power, especially when the compressor starts.

Whether a particular generator can handle your AC depends on several factors, including the generator's capacity, the air conditioner's electrical requirements and the home's electrical setup.

If keeping your AC running is a priority, find out whether your generator and electrical system can handle it before the storm.

This is also one reason why generator planning should start with your home's actual electrical needs rather than simply choosing a generator based on its size.

Prepare Before You Need Backup Power

You don't have to make your home completely independent from the electrical grid to prepare for a hurricane.

Start with the basics.

Know what you need to power. Understand what your generator can handle. Choose a safe operating location.

And if you want to connect a portable generator to selected circuits in your home, make sure that connection is installed properly. We believe good hurricane preparation starts with understanding your options and making safe choices for your home.

A little preparation before hurricane season can make a power outage much easier to manage when the lights actually go out.

Generator Preparation for Hurricane Season | Florida Homes