While our lives these days have become extremely reliant on electricity to power all those numerous things that we simply cannot live without; it is a certain fact that, from time to time, our power supply (to Elmhurst or anywhere else) will fail. This could be caused by a major breakdown at the power plant or in its transmission lines (for example a tree falling on the power line during a storm) causing a blackout over quite a wide area. These happen without warning; whereas a brownout is when the power company, for whatever reason, cut the power supply to designated areas having given due warning in advance. Either way, people in the affected area will be without power for as long as it takes to restore it.
Make Your Own Power
This is not say you should practice some sort of self sufficiency and turn your garbage and other wastes into electricity – which is hardly practical in a Chicago suburb. Nor are we suggesting that you should make a massive investment and build yourself a mini power generation plant (e.g. an industrial sized generating set).
What we are talking about is the purchase and installation of a standby generator that has sufficient output to tide you over a period of mains power outage. These units are not exceedingly large (similar in size to the outdoor compressor unit for a standard domestic split aircon) and are, basically, economically priced.
Cost
Prices can start from below $5,000 (including installation) for an American made unit capable of running your home’s lighting and a few other low power items. Larger units that can even run air conditioners, large freezer cabinets and the like will cost $8,000 upwards. For the higher prices, you get more outlets from the generator and a higher power rating (the small units start at around 8kW and the larger ones can be 25kW or higher). The Generac brand is highly recommended for domestic use.
All units require fuel which also has to be paid for but, it is often possible to tap into the fuel supply to your furnace and, if this is LNG, the running costs for the generator will be economical. If you purchase from a good contractor, qualified installation will be included in the price and special deals can be arranged for regular preventative maintenance. Contractors like Penco Electric Inc provide both initial supply and full Generac Generators Services For elmhurst.
