PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 6, 2012 — Generator Envy. 2011 may be the first time you experienced it. While your family is freezing cold, all the food in your refrigerator is going bad and you cannot take a hot shower, your neighbor has a whole house generator and is living life as if everything was normal.
From California to the East Coast, 2011 will be remembered as one of the worst years for weather-related disasters. According to the Insurance Journal, "The United States set a record with 12 separate billion-dollar weather disasters in 2011, with an aggregate damage total of approximately $52 billion, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said this month." It wasn't just hurricanes, like Irene, that caused all the damage. There were tornados, fires, early snowstorms and vicious winds. For many, the power was out for days. And, many people began to seriously consider buying a generator for the first time.
"When Hurricane Irene was predicted to hit the East Coast, we thought we would see a rise in generator sales. We were surprised that we hit record sales after the storm," states Rob Tolleson, CEO of CPO Commerce. CPO operates two sites that sell a large selection of generators from portable to whole house units, Tyler Tool and CPO Generac.
If you are considering buying your first generator, there are two options for powering a home: a portable generator or a residential generator.
A portable generator is less expensive than a fixed unit. It can run essential devices, like refrigerators and lamps, in emergency situations. However, there are several negatives to using a portable generator for an emergency. Portable generators run on gasoline that will have to be stored on hand for future use. These units also need to be kept outside to prevent harmful carbon monoxide build-up. And, these units are not automatic. Someone will need to start and to connect the unit to the house.
A fixed, or "residential standby," unit runs on natural gas or propane. Fixed units are installed with a transfer switch that will recognize when the utility power has gone out and automatically turn on your power. This switch will also "exercise" your generator on a regular basis to ensure that it will operate correctly when there is an emergency. A portable generator must be "exercised" manually. In an emergency with a fixed unit, your power would come back on immediately, all the appliances in your house will operate, and you do not have to worry if it will start. However, fixed unit generators cost between $2000 – $5000.
According to The Weather Channel, NOOA has predicted that La Nina will return this year and combine with other atmospheric changes to produce increased bad weather. Don't be caught this year sitting in the dark or running around after a storm looking for a generator at the local hardware store. Invest in the right generator now. The top names to look for are Generac, Briggs and Stratton, Honeywell and DeWalt. Your family will thank you; your neighbors will envy you.
About CPO:
CPO is America's leading online tool retailer, specializing in new and factory-reconditioned power tools. CPO operates 34 brand-focused online outlets and two specialty online stores, ReconditionedTools.com and CPOPressureWashers.com, that focus on competitive prices, easy-to-shop sites and fast delivery. Links to all of CPO's online stores can be found at www.CPOoutlets.com.
Contact:
Susan Warm
Email
626-585-3600 ex: 7007
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