As a business owner, backup power is important. If your area experiences an outage without a sufficient alternative power source, it can affect your company’s operations negatively.
Whether a recent power outage left your company in a rut or you are looking to prevent a potential disaster, a generator is important. If you have never purchased one and do not know what to look for, here are a few things to think about.
Choose Your Generator Type
Generators come in two forms. You need to understand the function of both in order to decide which one suits your needs best. You can opt for either a portable unit or a standby one.
Portable generators are the least expensive option, but they are smaller generators. They are typically designed as a band-aid option because you can only power a couple of things at a time. If you have a small business and only need to power your computer equipment and maybe some emergency lights, this may be sufficient.
However, a portable generator will need to be connected and powered on for it to supply power once the power goes out, which means having someone present when it happens.
Standby generators are typically a more significant investment, though they are also the top choice for many business owners. Their ease of use directly contributes to their popularity. Standby generators are installed on the property and permanently connected to the building’s electrical circuits. That way, when the generator detects a power interruption, it automatically engages to supply power.
In addition, most standby generators have a larger capacity, which allows them to supply power to more features in the building. The more things you can keep running, the easier it will be to maintain your business.
Know What Needs Backup Power
You need to fully understand what you need from your emergency power supply in order to choose the generator that fits your power demand the best. The best way to do this is to consider all of the key components that should always have power.
One of the most important components to connect to your backup generator is your company’s security system. This is essential for minimizing the risk of looters during power outages as well as preventing unauthorized entry to your building.
The security system power should also include supplying power to the emergency systems in the building, including the fire alarm system, emergency lighting, and air filtration systems.
Your operational equipment should also have emergency power. That way, you aren’t facing lost production or operation time due to the power outage. Operational equipment includes your point-of-sale system, your networking equipment, and any other machines or equipment that you rely on for proper business operation.
You should also have your climate control system integrated into your backup generator. Failure to supply power to your climate control could leave you with a building that’s too hot and humid to be safe in the summer and far too cold to do business in the winter. Ensure that you keep your facility safe and comfortable by connecting your climate control system to the backup generator as well.
No matter what type of business you own, manage, or work for, consistent power is essential. Opting for a backup power generator will help you ensure this no matter what the storm seasons may bring in your area.
If you are looking for a backup power source, contact us at Oak Electric today. We can help you narrow down your options, find the right system for your business, and answer any questions you might have along the way.
