Weather

Alright, you've already prepared your hurricane checklist, but now the hurricane has arrived. You're able to stay in your home, but what do you do? 

During any natural disaster, anticipate no power. This means conservation is your number one priority. WIth heavy rains and wind, power lines are incredibly vulnerable. Sometimes you might be without power for hours, and in the worst of disasters, for weeks. Power outages are during strong storms are all inconvenient, but did you know they make up 47% of power loss across the country? The average cost for a homeowner of one power outage is about $1,058. 

To conserve power, we have a few tips: 

1. Keep your refrigerator closed. You fridge can stay cold for up to four hours without power, and your freezer will last up to 48 hours. 
2. Keep ice in a nearby cooler. You can put dry ice or a block of ice inside the refrigerator or freezer to extend the cold. 
3. Simplicity is key. Plan some easy-to-make meals ahead of time. You'll probably have to cook by candelight, so nothing extravagant. Make sure you have all the cooking utensils you need. 

Natural disasters can be emotionally stressful times. When you'd rather take a walk, you might be cooped up in the house for hours in close quarters. Making sure you have activities will help everyone in your home stay occupied and calm in this otherwise chaotic time. A few easy entertainment activities include: 

• Word games
• Card games
• Read a new book or magazine
• Crafting
• Finally start that new work out plan
• Plan a living room campout 

Communication is especially important in the midst of a hurricane. You want to know where your family is, and more importantly, that they're safe. Remember that first lesson of conservation? The same thing applies to phone usage: unplug, power down, and emergencies only.

Did you know? The average phone life is 12 hours, and the average person checks their phone 85 times a day. So what's keeping them tied to their phone? The top 6 phone activities include sending/receiving messages, searching for information on the web, using navigation or maps, updating social networks, streaming music, and playing online games. 

• Before the power goes out, make sure you unplug all of the major electronics and appliances in your house. If you don't, you're at risk of repairing those devices affected by electrical surges.
• Only use your phone when absolutely necessary. Otherwise, make sure your WiFi is turned off, and the phone stays in airplane mode. This will help your phone maximize battery life.
• Make calls only for emergenices to avoid tying up the phone lines for emergency responders.

Portable generators can make your life easier during any natural disaster. The average generator can last about 9-11 hours at a 50% load with a 7 1/2 gallon fuel tank. The right portable generator can be used to power your most useful devices, like a refrigerator, freezer, well pump, security system, or microwave. While running your portable generator, you can power multiple appliances based on their unit size and wattage. It's important that you don't overrun your generator with too many appliances. Before purchasing a portable power solution, use a wattage calculator to determine just how much power you need. 

Portable Power Safety Tips: 

• Run your generator outside in a well-ventilated area 
• When your generator is on, keep it away from open windows and garages
• Keep a carbon monoxide detector in your home. This will alert you to any emissions that possibly sneak into your home 
• Keep extra gas on hand, and purchase gas before a natural disaster

Whatever the disaster, being prepared starts with you. Through the month of September, we’ll be posting preparedness guides so you and your family can be safe no matter the storm. First up is our hurricane preparation checklist. 

When a hurricane strike is imminent, will you and your family stay at home, or can you travel somewhere safer? You should have an emergency plan for both scenarios.

If you plan to stay put through a hurricane, you should:

• Plan for everyone. You should have a recovery plan in case something should go wrong. Make sure everyone in your party understands the communication and logistics plan — like a secure meeting point or safe rooms in your home, and how you would get in contact with one another if someone was to get caught out in the storm. 
• Have a checklist on hand and complete the tasks you can ahead of time. Though you don’t know exactly when disaster might strike, this is the point of being prepared. Try to think of everything you might need: supplies like lighting, first aid, food and drink, and a power source. Having these items on hand will help you and your family move to your safe place more efficiently when times get tough. 
• Keep your community in mind. During times of disaster, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest emergency news. Create a contact list with phone numbers and addresses of those in your neighborhood, and keep a battery operated radio on hand as telephone lines might be out of commission. Make sure your contact list includes individuals with medical training. 
• Listen to orders. If an evacuation has been ordered for your area, don’t wait until it’s too late to leave. Have your safety bag and kit ready to go, so if you’re told you need to leave, you’re prepared. Make sure your family has time to travel — allow 24 to 36 hours, and be sure you’re off the highway when a storm strikes. 

Even if you’d prefer to stay at home, you should plan to go if:

• You live in a mobile or manufactured home
• Your home does not meet the current hurricane building standards (was built pre-hurricane standards)
• A storm surge or flooding might reach your home
• Evacuation orders have been issued

If you find yourself in any of the above circumstances, follow these steps:

• Arrange where you’ll stay in advance. Perhaps you’ll go to a relative’s home, a friend, or a designated Red Cross location. Make sure you communicate clearly with family and loved ones about where you will be going. 
• Prepare your “leaving” to do list. This includes things like shutting off the electricity in your home, locking doors and windows, and bracing entry points. Make sure important paperwork, like health insurance information, is in an easy-access spot. Also make sure that you have all your medications refilled prior to any natural disasters. 
• Don’t wait until the last second, or to see if you can “weather the storm.” Give yourself a good 24 to 36 hours of travel time before the storm is to hit your area. Roadways will not be empty during an evacuation period, and you don’t want to be stuck on the highway when the storm does hit.

At Absolute Generators, we can help you parpare for the inevitable power outages caused by hurricaines with backup power solution.  To learn about our top generators for hurricane prepardness, click here.

Did you know we're right in the middle of hurricane season? In the United States, tropical storms or cyclones form in the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and in the eastern Pacific Ocean. These storms are often accompanied by heavy thunderstorms and a counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth's surface, and cause lasting, damaging effects to hundreds of coastal towns every year. Between June and November, areas near the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico are hit the hardest. The Eastern Pacific hurricane season lasts from May 15 through November 30. 

Hurricanes are dangerous storms that must be taken seriously. With winds exceeding 155 MPH, hurricanes produce flooding in addition to flying debris that have catastrophic effects for coastlines and even areas several hundred miles inalnd. Winds and strong rains can trigger landslides or mudslides, excessive flooding, and power outages. 

What should you do during a hurricane? 

• Be alert for information from authorities. Listen to the radio or television. 
• Secure your home. Close storm shutters and secure outdoor objects, or bring them inside. 
• Don't be fooled by the eye of hurricane, which can last anywhere from a few minutes up to several hours. 
• If instructed, turn off all utilities. If not, turn your fridge to the coldest setting and keep the door shut. 
• Avoid using the telephone, save for emergencies. 
• Make sure your prepare enough water for sanitary purposes. Fill your bathtub or other large containers with water. 
• If directed to do so, evacuate the area. If you cannot evacuate, secure yourself in a safe room. Stay away from windows and glass doors. 
• If you're not directed to evacuate and your home loses electricity, utilize the power of a back up generator. 

What can a generator do for me? 

Think of all the things you use everyday that require electricity. In a hurricane, all power can be knocked out. Streetlights, businesses, and even emergency services may lose their power. That's why Absolute Generators is here to help you stay prepared in and for emergency situations. Our selection of industrial, emergency, and commercial generators will help keep you, your family, and home safe in the event of a hurricane. 

What should I consider when purchasing a generator for hurricane preparedness? 

Fuel Type
In a crisis, gasoline may be hard to locate with dangerous traveling conditions. Gas stations will likely also be without power, and their supplies may be depleted. Gasoline also doesn't store well, turns stale, gums up your carburetor, and is difficult as well as dangerous to store in large quantities. For these reasons, you may consider investing in a dual-fuel or multi-fuel generator. Multi-fuel generators provide solutions to fuel availability issues that invariably arise in times of crisis when you need a temporary emergency back up power source, typically configured with an LP (propane) tank fueled generator.  Tri-fuel generators can operate on the common vapor fuels (as well as offering the ability to use gasoline as necessary). Natural Gas and Liquid Propane are typically available in large quantities even in times of crisis and natural disasters. Generally, switching between fuels is very easy. To operate on vapor fuels, you simply turn off the gasoline fuel line, connect the proper t-valve fitting for the selected fuel, and then connect the main fuel supply. Your tri-fuel generator is now capable of providing hours of uninterrupted generator power with adequate propane or natural gas fuel supply. 

Wattage Output
Never overload your generator. When purchasing a new unit, it's important to understand just how much back up power you'll require.  Every generator has two ratings: surge output and continuous output. You should add the total wattage of all utilities you may use at one time, and make sure it does not exceed the continuous output rating. You can do this easily by utilizing our wattage calculator. 

Generators for Hurricane Preparedness

Champion 42436 Portable Generator

When the unexpected happens, this dependable, light weight generator will do the job. The Champion 42436 gasoline generator is powered by an 80cc Champion single cylinder, 4-stroke OHV engine that produces 1200 running watts and 1500 starting watts. Featuring a 1.2 gallon fuel tank, this model includes 3/4 inch durable tubular steel frame, and an operating noise level of 65dB at 23 feet. The OHV engine is equipped with a low oil shut-off sensor and is designd for long life and easy maintenance. CARB approved for all 50 states. 

Sportsman GEN2000LP Portable Propane Generator

The affordable Sportsman GEN2000LP Portable Generator features a 2.4 HP 4-stroke OHV engine that delivers maximum performance and power. Weighing only 55 lbs and measuring a very compact 15 inches x 18 inches x 15 inches, the GEN2000LP provides 2000 surge watts and 1350 continuous watts of power with a small foot-print from clean burning exhaust emission of the propane fuel. Never worry about your fuel going bad or fouling the carburetor with denegrated gasoline with your LP operated generator. This model boasts an engine run time of 12 hours at 50% load. Porpane is very easy to find, safe for storage, and burns clean without the smell of combusting gasoline or diesel. 

 
Winco HPS6000HE Bi-Fuel Generator

With the ability to operate on gasoline or cleaner burning naturla gas fuels, the Winco Bi-Fuel Generator offers the ultimate flexibility while maintaining an environmentally friendly design. Operating on natural gas increases run time, provides quick, reliable starts, and doesn't gum up your carburetor. This generator is powered by a premium quality, long-life, durable Honda GX340 11HP engine with low oil protection, and features inherent voltage regulation and protection for optimum reliability and safety. 

Sportsman GENTRi9K Tri-Fuel Generator

The GENTRi9K Tri-Fuel Generator lives up to Sportsman's highest standards by offering all the conveniences and functionality a customer is looking for, at an appropiate cost, and in a robustly powerful and conveniently portable generator package. Versatility is the biggest advantage with this tri-fuel generator that can burn three of the most commonly used consumer grade generator fuels. You'll always have your choice to switch between gasoline, storage friendly propane, and public utility-fed natural guess. With 9000 surge and 7200 continuous watts, this generator is ideal for providing emergency home backup power. With a 7.4 gallon fuel tank, your Sportsman generator can run for 10 continuous hours at 50% load. CARB compliant for California. 

The debate over climate change and its potential impacts on people all over the world continues to rage on – especially in the wake of three consecutive Monday snowstorms that have dumped as much of 5 feet of the white stuff in parts of New England.

Anyone who has lived in that region of the country for any length of time knows that snow and ice storms bring with them myriad challenges, not least among them power failures that are caused by ice-covered electric lines that simply snap under stress. Other potential causes of power outages in the Birthplace of America: Fallen tree limbs that sever overhead lines, poor rod conditions which cause vehicle accidents with power poles and structural damage that often brings with it damage to nearby utility connections.

Business owners know only too well the impact that storms can levy on the bottom line. With hurricane season just a few months away, and winter still very much alive and kicking, it’s wise to ask whether your Commercial Standby Generator is prepared to weather the next storm when – not just if – it comes, and to look into other ways to prepare for a power outage during a storm.

First off, protect your people – your employees – who are the lifeblood of your business. Construct a plan for them so that they know what constitutes a work day when weather makes life difficult. Does everyone know his or her responsibility for the clean-up efforts that will be needed after the storm passes? Can you be reasonably certain that you will have power available for the troops who make it back in to work?

Take steps now to protect your building: Trim trees, move vital records and files to interior rooms that are elevated, and scout out a temporary work space if your building is in a zone that is prone to flooding.

Set aside some time to anticipate the needs of your customers. Have a plan in place for communicating with them before and after any weather event. Reassure them that you will do all that you can to provide support for their needs. And be sure to update them on your status once back in business following the storm.

Questions about the right commercial standby system for your business? Contact an Absolute Generator specialist today!

The recent mega-snowstorm that hammered the East Coast region of the United States should have taught us many lessons already. Among them: Stay home when state and local government officials are practically begging you to do so multiple times per day; try to stock up on necessary supplies without hoarding or panicking; and, whenever and wherever possible, make sure that you have an alternate energy supply in the event that power to your home is interrupted.

For many people, a portable generator will do the trick in running essential equipment at home. Before buying one, though, you should make sure that you know exactly how to hook up the generator to your appliances. If you wish to connect a generator directly to your home’s electric panel, you MUST first install a transfer switch, says the National Electric Code. This is the only safe way to do the job.

Of course, installing a transfer switch may not be possible when a weather event unfolds rapidly or without much advance warning. If you are able to use a portable generator, remember that it must be located outside of your home, as the carbon monoxide fumes it creates by running could be deadly if permitted to remain trapped in your home. Even when located outside the home, portable generators should never be operated close to doors or windows, as even some seepage of fumes could cause problems quickly.

However, given that you may need to operate the generator during a weather event, such as a blizzard or torrential downpour, you must take care to shelter it from moisture, as electricity and water do not directly mix well. Ever.

Some ideas: Try placing the generator in a carport (NOT a garage, again because of fume concerns) or under another protective structure such as a boat canopy. Remember: Rain and snow can be blown sideways, so protect the unit accordingly.

Under NO circumstances, however, should you attempt to weather-shield the unit by placing it in a small tent or similar structure. Hot exhaust will quickly do damage, possibly resulting in a fire destroying your sole emergency power source.

Questions about finding the right portable generator for your home? Contact one of our specialists today!

Every hurricane season is eventful for our customers. No different will be 2014 with the present Hurricane Iselle bearing down on the Big Island of Hawaii where all residents are bracing while hurricane warnings are in full effect. This appears to be the first hurricane to hit Hawaii since 1992’s Hurricane Iniki on Kauai and the only hurricane on record to have ever hit the Big Island.

Absolute Generators stands ready to support our clients affected by Hurricane Iselle with emergency home backup power by a standby generator or portable generator. Here is what you will need to know when working with Absolute Generators to get you back up power and fast:

1) Shipping a home backup generator to Hawaii historically has a transit time of approximately 10-15 business days. This will be no different in the event of a storm. We often times see transit times drastically decreased during storm events, as well.

2) Our “free freight” offer on generator shipments applies only to residents in the lower 48 states.

3) Hawaii residents do have the option of Absolute Generators sending their generator with free freight to the port of Los Angeles, San Francisco, or another location to then handle the freight beyond that point by a third party freight forwarder.

4) To accurately accommodate your shipment to Hawaii, we will need to provide you a freight quote on a case by case basis.

5) Contact us or simply call us at 888-264-2189 to discuss your order. During a storm event we carry extended business hours and will make every effort to be available to you 24 hours per day.

6) You can also get a jump start by searching our emergency generators and home standby generators.

Absolute Generators is following the storm hour by hour as it appears to likely be poised to impact the the Big Island, if not all of the Hawaiian islands. With unprecedented back-to-back hurricanes, both Hurricane Iselle and Julio are unfortunately ready to menace the state like never before. Residents of Hawaii are certainly making preparations and we wish them the safest of outcomes.