With almost daily afternoon thunderstorms, and the busiest months of the hurricane season upon us, many local households are installing whole-house generators to keep their family comfortable, safe and secure if their power goes out.
“Families of all sizes and incomes are installing generators in their homes in case their power goes out,” said Miguel Silva, plumbing manager for Cornerstone Pros Air Conditioning, Plumbing and Electrical in Land O’ Lakes. “We are installing an average of 10 whole-house generators a month, and will install many more units during the storm season.”
Cornerstone installs Generac generators, the country’s largest and most-advanced manufacturer of backup generators that run on natural gas or liquid propane, and automatically activate when there is a power outage.
“Experience matters when it comes to generators, because in addition to the install, Cornerstone is qualified to service and maintain these systems, which can have a life span of 30 years, if properly maintained,” said Silva. “It’s no different than maintaining your vehicle — generators must be serviced to ensure they work properly, and to protect the homeowner’s investment.”
Because today’s technology is essential to most families, it is critical to have electricity to power these devises that families count on.
“While you obviously need power to keep your lights on and fridge running, you also need power to keep your cellphones, computers and home security cameras going,” said Silva. “Plus, electricity is especially important if a family member has medical issues that require equipment needing power to operate.”
A generator will prevent almost all of the problems associated with power loss, including spoiled food, extreme temperatures, sickening mold, and no running water if a home is on a well.
The American Red Cross recommends permanently installed backup generators, because they are a safer way to provide backup power to a home than a portable generator.
“Because all generators emit carbon dioxide, an odorless gas that can kill, proper installation and venting is imperative for all generators,” said Silva. “Our technicians are trained to specify the safest location for a generator.”
Because generators can be costly, Cornerstone Pros offers permanent and portable generators, and has low-interest financing in place to make monthly payments affordable.
“We want to encourage everyone who wants to protect their family’s health, comfort and safety to give us call,” said Silva. “We do everything possible to make a generator fit their budget and payment ability. Plus, we’re currently offering $150 off all generator installations.”
Modern generators are compact, quiet and able to power some or all of a home’s electrical appliances, all at the same time.
“Many people think of backup generators as giant, noisy units that can be heard all around the neighborhood. This is no longer the case,” said Silva, who adds that Cornerstone Pros pulls all the permits needed to install a generator.
For homes with natural gas, Cornerstone Pros technicians do the plumbing that ties the generator directly into the home’s natural gas line, so the homeowner never has to worry about filling a gas tank. Homes without natural gas require a propane tank, which Cornerstone Pros works with local contractors to connect.
“Generators provide protection 24/7, whether your home or away, and turn themselves off when utility power returns, so there is no need to monitor the unit during an outage,” said Silva. “Plus, most models today offer Wi-Fi connectivity so, no matter where you are, you can monitor the status of your power and generator’s operations from a smartphone, tablet or computer.”
Call Cornerstone Pros with your generator questions and to request a quote at (813) 990-0561.
Published August 28, 2019
By William Jacko
