portable generators

Portable Generators

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BE PREPARED WITH A PORTABLE GENERATOR

When it comes to hurricane season, preparedness is key. The heavy rains and strong winds of a hurricane can wreak havoc, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. If you’re expecting hurricane conditions, you may be worried about losing power. After a particularly intense hurricane, homeowners may be without power for days, sometimes even weeks. Owning a portable generator can protect you from extended power outages in these situations.


CPO Outlets offers a large selection of the best generators for hurricane preparedness. We’ve put together the following guide to provide more information about portable generators and help you purchase the right one for your needs.


We’ll start with an overview of hurricane season before taking a closer look at portable generators, how to use them properly, their specific advantages after a hurricane, and buying the one that’s best for you.


When Is Hurricane Season?

The Atlantic hurricane season typically occurs from June 1 to November 30 each year. This is when hurricanes and tropical storms form in the Atlantic Ocean before potentially making landfall in nearby regions. The southeastern United States is especially vulnerable to hurricanes during this time of year. September is usually the most active month of hurricane season for this area.


Florida is the U.S. state most frequently hit by hurricanes. Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina are also regularly affected. If you live in any of these states, having a portable generator is a good idea in case you lose power during a storm. Not only will a generator keep your lights on, but you can also continue using everyday household appliances like your refrigerator, freezer, microwave, toaster oven, and certain HVAC units.


Portable Generator Basics

A portable generator uses a gas-powered engine to generate electrical power. Appliances, tools, and other electrically-powered items can be plugged into outlets on the generator, allowing you to use them if you’ve lost power in your home. Most household appliances can be powered by a generator producing between 3,000 and 6,500 watts.


In the event of a power outage after a hurricane or strong storm, you can use a generator to keep your lights on, as well as power your refrigerator, freezer, and other appliances so your food doesn’t go bad. Many food items like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, fruit, and dairy will spoil if not kept at the appropriate temperature, leaving you susceptible to foodborne bacteria and illnesses. After a hurricane, it can be very difficult - if not impossible - to go out and buy fresh food. With a generator, you can avoid letting your food go to waste and make sure you have enough to last you through the emergency.


Maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home is also a major concern when the power goes out. You can use a generator to power your indoor heating and cooling systems, ensuring pleasant conditions for you and your family. Since hurricane season coincides with some of the hottest months of the year in the Southeast, having a working air conditioning unit is imperative.


Portable generators should be placed outside at least 15 feet away from your home. They should not be operated indoors. This includes placing one inside an enclosed space like a garage. Make sure your generator is far enough away from windows so the exhaust does not blow inside.


While you may lose power in the middle of a storm, a portable generator cannot be used during a hurricane. Water can get into the outlets, causing damage to the generator and increasing the risk of electrocution. If you’re without electricity after the storm passes, you can then use your portable generator to power your essentials.


Advantages of a Portable Generator

The versatility and convenience of a portable generator makes it an invaluable tool after a hurricane. With its relatively small size, you can easily carry it around with you between locations. This is a useful feature in the event you need to evacuate before the hurricane hits and want to make sure you have access to a reliable power source no matter where you are.


While shopping for a generator, you may come across home standby generators. These are more powerful than portable generators, providing up to 59,000 watts in some cases. That’s enough power to keep your central air conditioning system running, along with any other device you might need. They also operate automatically, meaning they’ll activate as soon as your home loses power.


However, standby generators are installed in a fixed location near your home. This could pose an issue during an unpredictable emergency situation like a hurricane, when you may need to evacuate. They also take a while to install, so if the hurricane is imminent and you need a backup generator quickly, portable may be the way to go. Portable generators are also less expensive than standby generators. If you don’t anticipate needing a backup power supply often, a portable generator would likely be the more cost-efficient choice.

A portable generator can also be very useful outside of hurricane season if you spend time camping or engaging in other outdoor activities. You can easily load a portable generator onto your camper or RV and take it with you on the road. Even if you prefer “roughing it,” having a backup source of power is a good idea in case of unforeseen circumstances.


Which Portable Generator Is Right for Me?

Choosing the portable generator that best suits your needs may depend on a variety of factors such as power output, size, number of outlets, run time, and price. Fortunately, CPO Outlets carries a large selection of portable generators from top brands like HondaMilwaukeeQuipall, and more.


Don’t Wait - Prepare Now

An impending hurricane can be stressful, but making the necessary preparations will give valuable peace of mind to you and your family. A backup power source like a portable generator is an essential component of any plan to prepare for a hurricane. Even if you lose power for an extended period of time, you can rest easy knowing you’ll have access to light, fresh food, and other necessities. You can even keep your television or radio turned on to stay updated about the storm.

Given the erratic nature of hurricanes and tropical storms, you may find yourself needing a generator quickly. Unfortunately, everyone else may have the same idea and your local stores will likely be out of stock if you wait too long. We recommend ordering a portable generator sooner rather than later to avoid falling into this trap.


If you need help choosing a generator or have questions, feel free to call us or contact us by email. Our experts are always happy to assist.

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