Protect Your Southern Louisiana Home from Power Losses During Summer Storms with a Home Generator

Summer has arrived in southern Louisiana and that means hurricane season is upon us. This year, Colorado State University (CSU) Tropical Meteorology Project has called for a busy hurricane season, with 14 named storms. Whether it’s a tropical storm or a Category 4 hurricane, a named storm hitting the Bayou means high winds and power losses.

Instead of stocking up on candles and flashlights, get ready for hurricane season with a home generator from Doug’s. As a Factory Authorized Bryant Dealer, we offer southern Louisiana homeowners a variety of highly reliable standby generators that will guarantee your home doesn’t lose power during a powerful summer storm.

What is a Standby Generator?

A standby generator is a gas- or propane-powered home generator that is capable of providing enough power to run your whole home during a blackout. Unlike a smaller, portable generator, a standby generator is a permanent fixture that ties into your home’s electrical system via a professionally installed transfer switch and subpanel. Most standby generators are strong enough to run your central air conditioning, kitchen appliances, and other large items—all at the same time!

How is a standby generator different from a portable generator you can get at a hardware store?

Portable Generators

• Generally only produces enough power to run one or two systems at a time.
• Appliances must be plugged into the generator with extension cords.
• Loud, disruptive operation.
• Must be turned on manually.
• Require frequent refueling from a stockpile of gasoline.
• Can create deadly levels of carbon monoxide if it’s too close to your home.

Standby Generators

• Capable of running all your electrical items at once.
• Appliances remain plugged into the wall. No extension cords needed.
• Quiet operation.
• Turns on automatically when power goes out.
• Use your home’s natural gas or propane supply—no refueling.
• No carbon monoxide threat.

How much does a home generator cost?

Because standby generators must be installed by professionals like Doug’s, they have a higher initial cost; however, because it’s standby home generators are permanent, there is no major cost after installation.

Cost is determined by the generator’s wattage, and the watt capacity you need is determined by the size of your home and how many electrical devices you intend to run at one time. You can expect to pay about $5,000 for a 7,000-watt unit, and up to $15,000 or more for a 30,000-watt unit.

You can get an idea of your needs using this rough guide to watt usage:

• Microwave: 600 to 1,200 watts
• Refrigerator: 700 to 1,200 watts
• Freezer: 500 to 1,200 watts
• Washing Machine: 1,200 watts
• 1/3-hp Sump Pump: 800 watts
• Television: 300 watts
• Laptop Computer: 250 watts

Add together the wattages of all items you wish to simultaneously power, then multiply that number by 1.5 (appliances need the extra power to start up). That’s the minimum wattage you’ll need for your home generator.

Give us a call before you commit!

We at Doug’s understand a standby generator is a significant investment for your home. Even with our convenient financing plans, choosing the right home generator takes time and careful consideration. Which is precisely why we encourage all of our customers to call us for a consultation. Doug’s strives to be the most knowledgeable retailer in the area, let us teach you what we know!

Your Doug’s technician will carefully evaluate your home’s power needs and recommend a generator that meets your needs exactly, and answer any questions you may have. Call us at (985) 746-1116 to schedule your generator consultation before hurricane season kicks into high gear!