Hey Chrispy-
Apologize here if you mentioned it already, but:
- How often do you lose power where you are?
A seasonal thing? or like a once every 2-3 months thing?
I don't loose power often at all. And not for long when lost.
I'm doing this for piece of mind more than anything. I'm 36 and just bouhht this first house march of 2012. Growing up my father half assed alot of things around the house. When i was younger i told myslef i would be the exact opposite as he. My house is clean, my tools are clean and arranged correctly and stored properly, my bills are paid, my lawn is kept, my neighbors are friendly because i am friends to ly neighbors.
When i moved in, the electrical panel was circa 1971 when the house was built and in my manroom. There was only 1 slot left for breakers and the manroom was scheduled for an overhaul that i completed this past summer. While overhauling my manroom, i had my electrician brother in law install a new 150 amp 30 beaker square D QO panel, and appropriate 100 subpanel to my garage for my welder and accessories such as 220v compressor which is soon to be purchased and installdd. While doing the work i had him install a power inlet box to a 30 amp breaker. I have the interlock kit and my bro in law said he 'd come to install once generator was running.
Simply put its more for piece of mind and i attribute it to a lil bit of prepping. In this economy and crazy world, you can't be to prepared. Also when hurricane irene hit in 8/2011 we lost power, and sandy in 12/2012.
My neighbor has a generac whole house standby. I just think most people should have a fallback. The way i look at it is like this :
if i loose power in the winter, whats going to keep pipes from freezing and my fanny comfortable in the dead of winter ? The answer is My wood stove and generator. Whats going to cool my fanny off when i loose power in the dead of summer. My a/c units and my genny.
I have a split level. Upstairs in summer can get hot! Downstairs in winter can get colder as heat rises upstairs.
Bottom line is, comfort is crucial and if i can afford it, i'll have it, by golly.