Generac Generator Installation In Abingdon, VA
The family in Abingdon VA who live in this lovely, split-level home lost power for 5 days during Hurricane Helene and the historic flooding that occurred in the area. Their generator wasn’t working properly and they called us here at Complete Comfort to see what we could do.
Problem: Generac generator wasn’t working properly- the family lost power for 5 days and didn’t want to have that happen again
Solution: Replace and upgrade generator, to keep the family in power no matter what Mother Nature dishes out.
Extended Power Outages have Big Impacts
Many more homeowners are experiencing extended power outages more than in the past, largely due to more frequent severe weather events coupled by an aging electric grid that seems to break more frequently than ever.
When your power is out for an extended period of time, it’s become more than an inconvenience. Loss of electricity means loss of refrigeration, often meaning a significant loss of food stored in the fridge and freezer, no AC or heat in your home, and of course, it can take out hot water, the ability to do laundry, cooking, and for many people, it impacts their ability to work from home as well.
While a short time without electricity can be charming, as you dine by candlelight, anything more than a few hours becomes expensive and uncomfortable quickly.
When the homeowners in Abingdon lost power for 5 days, it meant replacing all the food in the home that cost them several hundred dollars, and it meant spending several days in a hotel and meals out, which was also an expense the family wasn’t expecting, while they waited for power to be restored. They did have a generator, but it failed, so they gave us a call here at Complete Comfort to see what happened.
Considering A Stand-By Generator? What To Know
Some people consider portable generators in an emergency. Portable generators often require a lot of maintenance and re-fueling, often with gasoline, and must be placed outside. These systems are also loud and not every homeowner wants to deal with setting up and babysitting the portable generator during an emergency.
Unlike portable generators, Stand By Generators like Generac are designed to use propane or natural gas to generate electricity for your home (or part of your home) when the connection to the power grid goes out. The generator will sense the lack of power and turn on, powering the key aspects of your home to keep your home habitable during an emergency, automatically. The systems are self-contained, located outside your home, just like your Air conditioning system or heat pump condenser, and are quiet, especially when compared to portable generators.
Home Stand-by Generators come in different sizes, and every homeowner can choose a generator that works best for them. For example, some people choose a generator that will keep the refrigerator, freezer and HVAC system going, but may not choose to keep other parts of the home electrified. For others, especially those that rely on medical devices or CPAP machines that need electricity to operate, want to make sure other outlets are also powered, to keep them functioning during an extended power outage.
Because generators vary in size and expense, there is a lot of choice in how you want your generator set up.
Standby generators do require maintenance, much like your HVAC system. Generac recommends that you get your generator serviced every 6 months, to check filters, batteries and operation, to make sure the system is ready to run when needed.
This past year we have seen a lot of significant weather events, from hurricanes to snowstorms. Not only has it caused millions of dollars worth of damage, but it also knocked out the power for homes in our area for a significant amount of time. That’s why in the fall of 2024, this Marion, VA homeowner decided they were over the power outages, and wanted to install a new generator in their home. 
Unfortunately for this homeowner, their electrical panel wasn’t going to be able to handle the generator, and it needed to be replaced. We were able to replace the panel easily, and set them up with the right electrical work that could handle their home’s current electrical needs, the generator, and left them with some capacity for any other additional appliances. 
Installing a generator means more than simply keeping the lights on during a power outage. Of course it’s great to have the lights on and not have to use candles or flashlights to see, but there are some more important appliances that need power. 
Here at Complete Comfort, we know the last thing any homeowner wants to be thinking about is their electricity. Just like your car, you just want it to work, and hopefully not cause any problems, because problems tend to be expensive. The owners of a home in Brumley Gap in Abingdon were no different. But like many homeowners in the area, they lost power during storms, and big storms seem to be coming more frequently.
The system also includes Mobile Link Wifi Remote Monitoring, which lets you monitor your generator’s status and get alerted to when it kicks on via smart phone app. This means even if you’re on vacation, you’ll know your home is protected. A few years ago, a friend of ours was away and the power went out for 5 days during an extended winter storm, causing endless worry about pipes freezing and an expensive saltwater fish tank they had as well, among other worries about their home. If they had a Generac, they would have known their home was fine whether they were there or not!
