What To Know When Shopping For A Generator In 2026

Posted on April 6, 2026April 7, 2026 by David Cochran

What To Know When Shopping For A Generator In 2026

In the past few years, generators have become very popular in our area of Virginia and Tennessee. During major storms, losing power means more than just the lights going out. It means losing your heating/cooling system, wifi, television, refrigerator, charging capabilities, etc. We depend on electricity for so much, and when we get the kind of storms that can knock the power out for days, it can become a big problem.

We’ve been working in the area since 2011, installing generators for homes and businesses, and we know the process inside and out. In this article, we’ll take you through the steps of purchasing and installing a generator from Complete Comfort. If you happen to have any questions about installing a generator for your space, please contact us at (276) 690-9222, or reach out to us online. Our experts are happy to help you out!

What Do You Want To Power?

The first thing you want to consider is what do you want to use the generator to power. If you want a generator to take to barbeques and outdoor events, you are likely looking for a gas powered, portable generator. In this article, we are going to focus on whole home standby generators. If you are seeking a generator that will keep your home’s power up and running during an outage, a standby generator is your best option.

What Size Generator Do You Need?

Now that you’ve thought about what you want to power, you are going to have to dive a little deeper. For example, if you wanted to power your entire home and all of your appliances, you’d need to calculate the wattage used to power each one, and add them up to see how much electricity you need to keep the space powered.

Now, rather than going around to every appliance in the house and seeing what each one requires in the ways of electricity, you can use a wattage worksheet or a calculator. What’s even easier, you can schedule a free estimate and have a professional evaluate your home, then recommend the right sized generator for your needs.

We’ve installed thousands of generators in our 15 years in business, and have a pretty good idea of what needs to be done to keep a home powered. We can help you evaluate your situation, then choose the RIGHT generator that is going to keep your home powered during an outage.

Automatic Transfer Switch

For some generators, you may need a transfer switch that you slip to go from your home’s power gird, to using the generator. But, for most whole home (standby) generators, there is an automatic transfer switch installed to take you from your utility power to generator power seamlessly when an outage occurs. This is one of the biggest advantages of a standby generator. You don’t have to go outside in bad weather, flip switches, or manually start anything. The system constantly monitors your home’s electrical supply, and the moment it detects an interruption, it automatically kicks on and restores power within seconds. When utility power returns, the system safely switches everything back and shuts the generator down.

Fuel Type Considerations

Another important factor to think about is what type of fuel your generator will use. Most whole home standby generators run on either natural gas or propane. Natural gas is often the most convenient option if your home is already connected to a gas line, as it provides a continuous fuel supply without needing refills. Propane, on the other hand, is a great alternative for homes without natural gas access, though it does require a storage tank and occasional refueling.

Each fuel type has its pros and cons, and the best choice often depends on your home’s setup, availability of fuel in your area, and personal preference. During your estimate, our team can walk you through these options and help you decide what makes the most sense for your situation.

Installation Process

Installing a standby generator is not a DIY project. It involves electrical work, fuel connections, and compliance with local codes and regulations. When you work with Complete Comfort, we handle the entire process from start to finish. That includes evaluating your property, helping you choose the right generator, securing any necessary permits, preparing the installation site, and completing all electrical and fuel connections.

We also make sure your system is tested thoroughly before we consider the job complete. Our goal is to ensure that when the next outage happens, your generator performs exactly as expected without any surprises.

Maintenance and Service

Like any major piece of equipment, your generator requires regular maintenance to stay in top working condition. Routine service typically includes oil changes, filter replacements, battery checks, and system inspections. Staying on top of maintenance not only extends the life of your generator, but also ensures it will work when you need it most.

We offer maintenance plans to make this easy and stress-free. Our technicians will keep track of your service schedule and make sure your system is always ready to go, especially before storm season hits.

Why Work With Complete Comfort

Choosing the right generator is only part of the solution to power outages. Working with an experienced, reliable team makes all the difference. With over 15 years of experience serving Chilhowie and the surrounding areas(including parts of Tennessee!), we understand the unique challenges that local homeowners face when it comes to power outages.

We pride ourselves on honest recommendations, quality installations, and dependable service. From your first call to the final walkthrough, our team is here to make the process simple and straightforward.

If you’re considering a generator for your home or business, now is the perfect time to get it installed. Give Complete Comfort a call at (276) 690-9222 or reach out to us online to schedule your free estimate. We’ll help you find the right backup power solution so you’re never left in the dark.

Resolutions To Improve Your Home In 2026

Posted on January 5, 2026January 5, 2026 by David Cochran

Resolutions To Improve Your Home In 2026

It’s officially 2026, and now is the time of year when people make resolutions to improve themselves and their lives. This is usually some sort of plan to start working out more and dieting. It could also be finding a new career path, or completing a long-standing project. Well here at Complete Comfort, we specialize in home comfort, home power, and indoor air quality. In this article, we want to focus on some resolutions that will protect and improve your home!

We’ve been working in Southwest Virginia since 2011, helping homeowners improve comfort, save money, and make their homes an enjoyable place to be. We are family-owned and operated, and know how important it is to keep your family home comfortable. In this article, I’m going to go over a few ways you can improve your home comfort, and some “resolutions” you can make that will keep your space warm in the winter and cool in the summer!

If you want to speak to an expert today, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online! Our experts can answer your questions, and schedule your service or free estimate on a new HVAC system.

Resolutions To Improve Home Comfort In 2026 And Beyond

Along with starting that diet and getting back to the gym, here are some resolutions you can make to improve your home comfort in 2026 and beyond.

Sign Up For A Maintenance Plan For Your HVAC System

You should have your HVAC system serviced at least once a year. If you use a heat pump that works year round, we recommend 2 service visits, one before the summer and one before the winter. Having your HVAC system serviced regularly will help you improve your home comfort, and also save money in the long run.

When you schedule normal maintenance for your HVAC system, here are some of the benefits that come along with it:

Improved Energy Efficiency – Over time, your HVAC system can deteriorate and lose efficiency. This means it eventually takes more energy to produce the comfort you desire, which puts additional stress on your system, and drives up your energy bills.
Lower Energy Bills – Along with better energy efficiency comes lower energy bills. If you go years without service, it could lead to a gradual rise in energy bills that isn’t necessary, causing you to pay hundreds, even thousands of dollars more than you should for your heating and cooling bills.
Longer System Lifespan – An HVAC system usually lasts between 10-20 years. If you have your system serviced yearly and well taken care of, it’s going to last longer than a system that’s never cared for.
Better Indoor Air Quality – If your system is serviced regularly, that means it’s cleaned and the filter is replaced. This cleaning and maintenance is going to help improve the quality of the air you breathe in your home. This leads to better health, improved odors, and better airflow.
Lower Chance Of Breakdown – During routine service, your system is inspected and cleaned, and each component is looked at. If a technician notices something isn’t looking right, they fix it, or replace it, so that you don’t run into breakdowns when you need your system the most.
Maintains Warranty – Lots of HVAC systems come with a warranty, but to keep it valid you need to have your system serviced regularly. This annual maintenance will keep the warranty up to date!
Ensures Safety – Certain systems like gas or oil furnaces that burn fuel can be dangerous if they aren’t properly cared for. These systems produce dangerous gases like carbon monoxide, that can leak into your home, causing major problems, even death. With a normal inspection, the technician makes sure that these gasses are being properly vented out of the home.

Why Should You Invest In A Maintenance Plan?

So now that you know the benefits of normal maintenance, why is it beneficial to invest in a maintenance plan?

For one, a maintenance agreement will ensure you have your system serviced regularly. A normal service doesn’t cost much, but it’s something that homeowners forget about, and it goes overlooked. Instead of having to remember to schedule maintenance, if you sign up for a maintenance plan, the HVAC company will reach out to you and schedule your maintenance when it’s convenient for you.

Secondly, a maintenance plan saves you money. Most maintenance agreements come with built in incentives like priority service, discounts on repairs, and other little bells and whistles. This helps offset the cost of the agreement, and ensures your system is taken care of by the same company year after year.

Install A Standby Generator

In our area of Virginia and Tennessee, we have seen some NASTY weather in the past few years. Installing a standby generator is a great way to ensure your home has power no matter what the weather is like outside. Instead of losing power for days on end, a standby generator kicks right on and supplies your home with electricity.

When you lose electricity, it’s more than just the lights. We depend on electricity for some much today including:

Lights
TV
Internet (WIFI)
Charging Capabilities
HVAC System
Appliances (Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher)
Refrigerator/Freezer

No more worrying about food expiring, the air conditioning working, having something to do without any power, etc. A generator simply flips on when the power goes out, and you are set until the utility company gets the power back on!

Install An Air Purification System

Want to breathe the cleanest air possible? Changing your air filter and scheduling HVAC service help, but you can also install an air purification system that takes it to the next level. These systems actively clean the air, and rid your home of airborne pollutants like bacteria, mold spores, allergens, pet dander and more.

Not all of these systems are exactly the same, so you’ll want to speak to an expert and figure out which one fits your home best. That’s where we come in. Give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online. We can take a look at your home and set you up with the air cleaning system that fits your needs best!

Install Humidity Controls

Humidity can be a problem in the summer and the winter. If there is too much humidity, it can cause you to feel hot and sticky, it can create breeding grounds for mold and mildew, and it can warp the wood and furniture in your home. If there’s not enough humidity in the winter, it can cause your skin to dry out and crack. It can cause nose bleeds and make it easier to get sick and catch a cold.

There are a lot of problems that can be caused with humidity issues. Luckily, they can be easily solved by humidity controls. This means humidifiers and dehumidifiers that can plug directly into your HVAC system. These will keep the humidity at the proper levels no matter what the weather is like outside. This is going to improve your comfort, breathing, and help protect the items in your home that would be impacted by humidity.

Install A Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats are a great new piece of technology that has improved home comfort and helped homeowners reduce their energy use. These systems are programmable, and learn your patterns. They use data to provide you with the comfort you are looking for, while reducing the amount of energy consumed. They are also accessible from your phone or tablet, making it easier to control the system. Even if you aren’t home, you can hop on your phone and adjust the thermostat, making it nice and cozy for when you arrive.

Improving Your Comfort In 2026

We hope some of these ideas help you get your home ready for the new year. All of these improvements cost money, but are all aimed at improving your home comfort, and also reducing the amount of money you spend in the long run.

If you live in Southwest Virginia or Northeastern Tennessee and you’d like to speak to an expert, we can help you out! Give Complete Comfort a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online. Our experts are happy to answer any questions, and help you make sure your home is comfortable and energy efficient in 2026!

The Benefits Of Having A Generator In The Winter

Posted on September 29, 2025September 29, 2025 by David Cochran

The Benefits Of Having A Generator In The Winter

Over the past few years, we’ve seen generators rise in popularity in the Smyth County and Wytheville area, and with good reason. These systems provide backup power for homes and businesses, allowing you to keep the lights on and the power up and running during a blackout. In the past few years, we’ve seen some storms that have caused millions of dollars in damages, and have kept home and business owners without power for extended periods of time.

I’ve been installing generators for years, ever since we started our business in 2011. We know how important they are, and what they can provide for a home. It’s not just about keeping the lights on. We depend on electricity more than ever, and in this article, I’ll go over the benefits of having a generator in the winter.

If you’d like to speak to one of our experts about backup power and a whole-home generator for your space, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online. Our experts can help you choose the right generator that fits your needs!

Why Do You Need A Generator In The Winter?

A generator can be useful any time of year when there is bad weather. In fact, last year, a generator was probably needed more during the hurricane season than at any other time of year. Still, the hardships of losing power in the winter may be even worse than losing power during other times of the year.

Here are some of the most noteworthy benefits of having a generator installed in your home for the winter:

Keeping The Heat On

The most important aspect of having power during the winter is keeping the heat on. The last thing you want to have happen is the power goes out when it’s frigid outside, and makes the space inside cold as well. We’ve heard of homes being without electricity for up to a week, and if it’s a cold week, that could lead to a dangerously cold house.

Most people think about keeping the lights on when the power goes out, but keeping the HVAC system on is likely more important if it’s winter or summer!

Entertainment

When you keep the power on, you are keeping the entertainment on as well, at least electronically. This is more important during the winter, when it’s not as easy to go outside for entertainment. Keeping the lights, wifi, TV, and computers on will help keep you and your family entertained if the power goes out. Can you imagine being stuck inside with a house full of kids with no power and nowhere to go? Keep the family happy, entertained, and warm with a whole home generator!

Staying Connected To Loved Ones

Another important aspect of having power is being able to stay connected with loved ones. That means having operating WIFI, and the ability to keep your phone and devices charged. Checking in on neighbors and family members is important, especially if we have a weather event serious enough to knock out the power.

Staying Safe

A power outage can be more dangerous for some than others. Some homes have occupants that use medical equipment that requires power. It’s also dangerous for certain people to be too cold, and could develop and illness quickly. Even something so basic as being able to see more easily with the lights on is important. We had a homeowner install a generator last year simply because their elderly father tripped and fell when it was too dark during a power outage. For some, keeping the power on means staying safe and healthy.

Not Sure When Power Can Be Restored

During the winter months, it may be more difficult to restore power in a timely manner. Suppose there is a big snowstorm and the power company is having trouble getting to the necessary spots to fix it. This could mean an issue for having the power restored quickly.

We’ve heard of homes in the area that were without power for up to a week in the past. Going a day or two may be fine, but days on end with no indication of when it’s coming back is no way to live. A generator ensures you are taken care of until the power company can get everything squared away!

Installing A Generator In Smyth County, VA

If you want to make sure your home is set up with a generator for this winter, Complete Comfort can help you out! Whether you live in Smyth County, Wytheville, or any of the surrounding neighborhoods, we can set you up with a free generator consultation and estimate. Then, when you decide on the system you like for your home, we can install it and provide regular maintenance for your system!

Give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online to schedule a consultation! Even if you don’t need to use your generator during the winter, you will have peace of mind knowing that if the power goes out, your home will be warm, lit up, and powered up no matter what!

Installing A New Generac Generator In Marion, VA

Posted on March 31, 2025 by David Cochran

Installing A New Generac Generator In Marion, VA

We recently installed a new Generac generator in Marion, VA for a homeowner who had been thinking about it for a while. We have been installing generators for over a decade, and have seen more and more residents who are interested in them, seeing the kind of storms we’ve had in the past year.

This resident had driven by our shop every day for quite some time, and when they had mentioned to a friend that they could use some backup power, guess who the friend said to call? The experts here at Complete Comfort!

This homeowner recognized who we were from the daily commute to work and passing by our shop on the highway. Instead of calling us, they decided to stop in and say hello! They spoke to a few of our experts when it comes to electrical and backup power, and we agreed to come out and take a look at their space that needed a generator.

Deciding To Install A Generac Generator For The Farm

We went out to a farmhouse in Marion, VA, and took a look at their property. This was a Ranch style home, with a decent amount of farmland surrounding it. They had lost power in the past, and were sick of it. We took a look at the space and decided that a Generac standby generator would be a perfect solution for this property.

Generac Generators Are Dependable

Generac generators are some of the best generators in the business. They are reliable no matter what the weather conditions are outside, and kick right on as soon as your power goes out. We prefer to install Generac generators, because we know they do the job well, and leave our customers protected from any sorts of power outages.

This homeowner loved everything about the Generac brand, and decided this is the system they wanted for their home.

Why Install A Generator?

This homeowner had experienced power outages in the past, and didn’t want to have to worry about the lights going out anymore. But there were more reasons than simply keeping the lights on that they wanted to install a generator.

WiFi And Internet Capabilities

If the power goes out, there goes the internet as well. In the area they live there aren’t great signals without the WiFi, and they wanted to be able to stay in touch with their family and friends. Not to mention the entertainment that comes along with having the internet. In the past this wasn’t as big of an issue, but with so much of what we interact with being on the internet, they wanted to be able to stay online, even when their area loses power.

Air Conditioning And Heating

Another important appliance that stops working if the power goes out is the HVAC system. During the summer, if there was a bad storm they’d lose power pretty often, and losing the air conditioning was driving them crazy. It gets very hot and humid pretty quickly, and makes their home pretty uncomfortable. They had also lost power in the winter before, which made the place frigid.

They didn’t want to have to worry about being uncomfortable as a result of losing power. With the new generator, they have nothing to worry about at all!

TV & Charging Capabilities

Losing your TV and charging capabilities may seem like first world problems, but the truth is they impact us a lot today! We use so many devices that require charging and power, unlike ever before. And if the weather is bad enough to knock out the power, you’d probably like to be entertained while you are stuck inside.

Protecting Perishables

This may be simple, but making sure the refrigerator and freezer are working properly protects your perishables during a power outage. For homes with a few refrigerators or freezers this is especially important. I remember when I was younger as soon as the power went out, my mom told us all to keep the refrigerator closed!

They had a backup freezer in their garage, and wanted to make sure that if the power went out, they wouldn’t have to throw all their food away. Especially if it was after hunting season and they had some venison that needed freezing. Now with the new generator, they could open and close the fridge as much as they wanted!

How Does The Generator Work?

The kind of generator that we installed is called a “standby generator”. This is different from a portable generator, which you may see at a concert or an outdoor venue. This kind of generator is permanently installed next to the house, and uses either natural gas or liquid propane to function. In this case, the home was too far away from a natural gas source, so they are using propane to keep the generator up and running.

There’s no “switch” outside they have to trigger to get the system working. Instead, there is a sensor that lets the generator know if the power has gone off. Then, it takes about 15-30 seconds for the generator to power up and keep the home electrified.

Installing A Generator For Your Home

We were happy to help this Marion, VA homeowner out with a new generator for their home. They loved how clean and quick the installation was, and a day later they no longer have to worry about a power outage.

If you think this is something you’d be interested in for your home, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online! We’d be happy to help you install the perfect generator that fits your home’s needs!

Generac Generator Installation In Abingdon, VA

Posted on February 10, 2025 by Nate Kiser

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.

Installing A Generac Generator In Marion, VA

Posted on February 3, 2025 by Nate Kiser

Installing A Generac Generator In Marion, VA

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.

We have to say, this has been a pretty common call we’ve gotten, as many homes in our area of Virginia have had to deal with this severe weather causing significant power outages. We’ve installed hundreds of generators, and luckily for this homeowner, it was nothing we weren’t used to.

If you live in the Marion, VA area and are thinking about installing a new generator for your home, give Complete Comfort a call at (276) 690-9222, or reach out to us online to schedule a free estimate.

Researching Their New Generator

After deciding they wanted a generator, these homeowners decided to do some research online. It’s what most people do when they are looking to buy something new and expensive. Before they spoke to an expert, they wanted an idea of what they were looking for. After checking out some different brands, they decided to look into a Generac Generator. They went through the Generac website, and decided to submit their name to be contacted by a contractor.

Complete Comfort is a Generac preferred dealer, and after going through the Generac website, they found us! One of our generator experts went out and took a look at their home to choose the RIGHT generator that fit their needs.

Choosing A New Generator

The home in Marion was a beautiful rancher, and one that wasn’t going to require the biggest generator. They wanted something that could power the entire home in case of an outage, and we got them set up with the properly sized Generac Generator.

Not every generator fits every home, and not every home in our area is the same. This is why we measure how much electricity the home will require, and make sure we set our customers up with the right system!

Replacing The Old Electrical Panel

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.
It’s important to have a professional, who is licensed and certified, taking care of these electrical needs. If you are having issues with your electrical panel it can be dangerous, and become a fire hazard if it isn’t addressed.

Why Install A Generator?

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.

Your Internet and WIFI
Your HVAC System
Your Charging Capabilities
Keeps Food From Perishing In The Refrigerator
Powers Any Medical Equipment Your May Have
Keeps Your Lights/TV On

Installing a generator goes a long way to keeping your home powered and running no matter what the weather is like outside. Obviously it’s great to have the lights and TV on, but as you can see, there’s a lot more that comes along with it.

If it’s the summer and the power goes out, you can still have your air conditioner working, keeping your home cool. Or if you work from home, the power going out isn’t going to prevent you from having a productive day. The generator will keep your home powered and prevent you from losing groceries, entertainment, or a day of work!

The Generator Installation Process

After fixing the electrical panel and choosing the right generator, it was time to install the system! The process took about a day, between the panel and the generator. It was a smooth process, and the homeowner couldn’t be happier!

With a whole home, standby generator like this one, it is installed next to the house, and simply sits there waiting for when it’s needed. It’s not like a portable generator you can move around, but instead it’s a permanent fixture next to the house.

There’s no need to flip a switch or press a button when you need power. There is a sensor located in the generator that knows when your power goes out. It usually takes about 15-30 seconds for the generator to kick on and start providing power to the home!

Generator Installation In Marion, VA

Now that the generator is installed, the homeowners are relieved. With all the different storms we’ve had in the past year, it has been a headache losing power over and over, sometimes for extended periods of time. They have peace of mind knowing that the days of power outages for their home are a thing of the past.

If you think a generator is something that would fit your home, give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online to speak to a professional. We can help set you up with the right generator for your home!

Installing A Generac Generator In Abingdon, VA

Posted on September 12, 2024 by Nate Kiser

Installing A Generac Generator In Abingdon, VA

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.

Power loss can be merely inconvenient to downright expensive if it lasts for more than an hour or so. If the power is out for any extended period of time, you can lose the contents of your refrigerator and freezer, and that can mount to hundreds of dollars worth of food very quickly. In addition, if anyone in your home relies on CPAP, temperature sensitive medications or other medical devices, loss of power can literally be a matter of life or death.

Power loss tends to be episodic and unpredictable, so many people just decide they can live with the risk. Our homeowners initially gave us a call in October of 2023, to look at whether buying a Generac home generator system was a good investment. We went out to the home, discussed the various options available and left, knowing the homeowners would need to consider what they wanted to do. It was about 6 months later, in April of 2024 when they finally decided to add a Generac Generator to their home.

Why Get A Generator?

When the power fails, what happens at your home? For most people, they can lose not only their heating and cooling, but refrigeration, access to the internet and work, the ability to cook, open and close the garage doors, and even your sump pump! While a temporary power outage is frustrating and inconvenient, longer outages can make your home uncomfortable and almost non-functional pretty quickly.

Generators run on natural or LP gas, and are designed to turn on within seconds of a power outage being detected, making your move virtually impervious to power outages and inconveniences. With people depending on electricity in every aspect of their daily lives and an aging power grid that is seeing more and more failures due to overload and increased adverse whether, more families are choosing to get a generator to make sure they don’t miss a beat when the power goes out.

Choosing A Generator

Getting a home generator like Generac will make sure the most important parts of your home have electricity even when the power is out. Generators come in multiple sizes, and you can choose the size and connections based on what aspects of your home are most important to keep running during a power outage.

Our expert team here at Complete Comfort can help recommend the right generator for your home, based on your needs and budget. Some homeowners just want to make sure key elements of their home- say, the HVAC system and refrigeration remain online, and others want to make sure key appliances, security systems and key circuits such as those used for CPAP and other devices, or their computers and wifi remain functional.

For our homeowners in Abingdon, they chose a 26 kw Guardian air-cooled Generac generator, with a smart switch that would keep their whole home going when the power went out. This means their home will never miss a beat, and will have reliable power even if there’s an outage in the area.

We were able to install the generator next to their electrical panel, and the generator itself is enclosed and looks like a large Yeti-type cooler, place so there is easy access from the outside to the internal panel and circuits the generator needs to power.

Remote Monitoring

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!

Bottom Line- Reliability and Worry Free

If losing power frequently is starting to get you down, give us a call here at Complete Comfort. We can come out and discuss what kind of generator might work best for your home and budget. You, too could be worry-free all year long- no matter what Mother Nature dishes out, or issues with the power grid, your family will be safe and protected- and you’ll save money by never having to rent a hotel room or replace the contents of your fridge and freezer again after a prolonged outage. And if you work or go to school from home, you’ll never lose productivity again. Give us a call and see if a Generac generator is right for you.

4 Reasons To Install A Generator In Your Home

Posted on July 25, 2024 by Nate Kiser

4 Reasons To Install A Generator In Your Home

We are entering the stormy season, generally between August and October, and with that comes power outages. A summer storm is nice sometimes, but losing your power is never a good time. We want to tell you a little more about why installing a generator in your home is a good idea.

We have installed hundreds of generators in the Wytheville, VA area, as well as the surrounding towns. We primarily deal with whole home solutions that can keep your power on during the harshest storm. When people think about generators, sometimes you think of the gas powered generator you may see at a barbeque or campground. The ones we work with are a bit different, and designed to keep a home or business up and running!

If you are interested in a generator for your home, the experts at Complete Comfort can help you out. We can offer you the properly sized generator that will keep your home powered when all your neighbors are using candles to see in the dark. Give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online!

Why Should You Install A Generator?

When you think about losing power during a storm, you probably think about the lights and the TV going out. This is true, but there is more to it than just that. We are going to go over 4 of the best reasons to install a generator in your home.

Losing Your Lights

So the first thing is the most obvious, but maybe not the most important. Losing your lights can be frustrating, especially for older people or those who already have vision issues. You can keep a few candles in the house, but then you could be dealing with a fire hazard, and let’s be honest, they just don’t work as well as light bulbs do. There’s a reason we don’t use candles to illuminate the house today.

Losing Your TV, Wifi, Charging Capabilities

If your power goes out, you are going to lose a lot of your home entertainment. Not only does the TV go out, but you also are going to lose your Wifi, and won’t be able to charge your phone, tablet or computer anymore.

If you want to go on the internet, you are going to have to use data from your smartphone, which can get expensive. You also now have a limited amount of time you can use your phone, seeing as you can’t charge it anymore. Most people know that the TV goes off during a blackout, but you don’t always consider the internet as well!

Losing Your Air Conditioning

This may be the worst part about losing your power in the summer. The weather is still warm, even if it is storming outside. Your air conditioning system runs off of electricity, and if the power goes out, the AC goes off. Not only are you sitting around a house that doesn’t have any lights, TV, or internet, but now it’s also going to get hotter and hotter until the power kicks back on.

For older people or those with poor health, this can even be dangerous. Keeping a few battery powered fans in storage is a good move, but not as effective as cool air from the AC.

Read More: The Cost Of A Generator

Losing Perishable Foods

I remember when I was younger, if we would lose power my mom would always tell us to be quick if we were getting something out of the refrigerator, and then shut the door fast! If the power is off for more than a few hours, keeping the door shut may not matter much. You are going to lose any perishable foods that need to stay cold.

This isn’t the end of the world, obviously, but it can be inconvenient, and cost some money. Losing milk, eggs, meats, vegetables, etc. can become an expensive and wasteful loss.

Installing A Generator In Wytheville, VA

A generator is something that you don’t have to use too much hopefully, but when the time comes to use it, you are happy you have it. If you are looking for a generator in Wytheville, VA or any of the surrounding towns, we have you covered! Our generator technicians can fit your home with the proper generator, and install the system in a single day.

Give us a call at (276) 690-9222, or contact us online. We’ll have you set up with a brand new generator, and make sure your house is powered no matter what the weather is!