Hurricane Prep More Critical in the Age of COVID

With June’s official start to the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season coinciding with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, electric generator manufacturers are anticipating a busy summer of helping customers prepare for storms.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), there is a 60 percent chance of this hurricane season being above normal in terms of storm activity. NOAA also forecasts 6-10 hurricanes forming, of which 3-6 could be major storms.

Furthermore, experts predict that the aftermaths of these storms could be more severe due to continuing social distancing measures and restrictions to combat the Coronavirus. For example, power outages could last longer if there is a shortage of utility workers due to social distancing or illness.

“The number one issue people face in the aftermath of a storm is losing power,” says Larry Teeling, Director – Marketing, North America for Kohler. “Almost everything in our lives requires electricity, and we are increasingly dependent on technology and staying connected – power is that essential. And when power is lost, it cuts off communication, it impacts our comfort. The fastest way to recovery is when people have access to safe, reliable power.”

The impacts of power loss are heightened in today’s unprecedented environment. “Preparation is even more important during this time of pandemic,” says Amie Alvarado, Vice President of Marketing for Generac. “As more people work from home, backup power becomes critical not just for convenience, but for livelihood.”

Securing Backup Power

To protect one’s home and livelihood, industry experts emphasize the importance of having a source of backup power ready before the storm. “Hurricanes are extremely unpredictable relative to the area of impact and the intensity of storm damage,” says Todd Welzbacher, Vice-President Sales & Business Development – Champion Power Equipment. “Having the security of an emergency back-up generator allows the homeowner to be prepared for power outages and offers the comfort of knowing that you can continue to operate your essential household appliances after a storm.”

When it comes to selecting a backup generator, homeowners can choose between portable and standby units. “A larger portable with a manual transfer switch has a lower price point for initial purchase and installation, however, it requires the homeowner to be home to manually transfer power to the portable and then back to the utility power once the outage is over,” explains Teeling. “Something to consider is that even larger portable generators do not supply enough [clean] power to back-up an entire home including large appliances, such as air conditioners. That’s when you may want to consider an automatic standby generator.”

Standby generators are permanently installed units that switch on automatically when they detect a power outage and are a major step-up from portables. Unlike portable generators, which need to be constantly and manually refueled every 8-10 hours, standby generators are connected to a natural gas line or a large propane tank for a consistent flow of fuel. “They can provide all the power needed to back up an entire home, including ‘hardwired’ equipment such as furnaces and air conditioners. And because they run on natural gas or propane, they don't need refueling in the middle of severe weather,” says Alvarado.

“It’s really a decision between cost vs. comfort,” adds Welzbacher.  “A 5,000-watt to 7,500-watt portable generator costs around $1,000, and can provide enough power to operate your emergency essential appliances during a power outage like lights, refrigerator, stove, sump pump, etc." He goes on to say that the greater power and convenience of standby generators, comes at a higher cost of $3,000 to $5,000 for the generator, and $2,500 to $4,000 for an average installation.

A Warning Against Procrastination

Although many homeowners like to wait and see if they will be impacted by a hurricane before investing in a generator, it may be too late at that point.

“Choosing the correct generator solution for each household’s needs and budget can take as long as several weeks from start to finish,” says Alvarado. “With the summer storm and hurricane season upon us, waiting even a few days at this time of year may be the difference between protection and being left in the dark.”

This is especially true for purchasing standby generators, which require a permit and professional installation that could take weeks to schedule depending on local demand. Homeowners will not be able to install a standby generator during a storm situation. They may even have trouble acquiring portable units during a hurricane if there are road closures and shipping delays, not to mention a run on generators from thousands of desperate customers. All these points are further exacerbated during the current pandemic situation. The advice of industry experts: Don’t procrastinate.

“We often see a last-minute run on generators before a hurricane strikes,” says Tony Composono, category manager for generators at Electric Generators Direct. “It’s best to order your equipment well before hurricane season to make sure it’s there for an emergency. In the case of standby generators, I also advise checking with local installers to see how much lead time they would need to install a unit because that is another major consideration,” he explains.

“The need to ‘shelter at home’ will take on a dual meaning in the 2020 hurricane season,” says Welzbacher. “It may be more important than ever to be prepared for power outages caused by hurricanes and essential that you have back-up power for your home as the only means to ‘shelter at home’ comfortably.”