Guardian Generators

December 17, 2009
posted by KeepTheLightsOn

guardian-generator

When the forecast calls for severe weather, rest assured that your Guardian generator can provide you and your family with power to the essential electrical devices needed most for safety and comfort. Guardian is renowned in their safe designs and energy efficient modes.

An unexpected power outage to your home does not have to cause a severe interruption to your normal activities. A generator will supply you with the power needed to keep the important electrical devices in your home working so that you can go about most of your daily routine. Installing a generator is fairly simple and straightforward, and you’ll be happy you’ve taken the time to do it when disaster strikes.

Coping Without Power

December 3, 2009
posted by KeepTheLightsOn

generacPower failure, especially during extreme weather conditions and other natural calamities, may disrupt your daily routine. It may be difficult if the power failure lasts longer than expected. The frozen food in your freezer may spoil, your toddler might get irritable because it may be too hot or too cold, and work on your PC will have to wait.

A generator may come in handy in situations such as this. A generator is beneficial because it can provide temporary power to allow you to resume the normalcy of daily life. Having a generator can provide power to medical devices that require electricity. It can also keep your refrigerator running, thus foods are kept safe because they are controlled at the right temperature to avoid bacteria accumulation and spoilage. When choosing among the many models of generators out there, it is important to consider the wattage you will need for your home, the electrical appliances you want to keep running, and the amount of money you have to spend. I purchased a Generac for my family last year, and we all were thankful for it when we lost power for nine days last winter.

Let the Pros Do It

November 20, 2009
posted by KeepTheLightsOn

electrical-contractorMost do-it-yourselfers know how to strip a wire and make basic repairs to their tools or how appliances. While this is an important skill to have, it may give some people false confidence in their abilities to tackle larger rewiring projects. Although rerouting the wiring in your house may appear simple, it really is a job for an electrical contractor.

Certified contractors have been trained to quickly and safely get the job done. When hiring a contractor, be sure that they are licensed, bonded and insured. Remember, rewiring your house may seem like fixing the cord to your power drill, but it is better left to a professional.

Always Have a Backup Plan

November 6, 2009
posted by KeepTheLightsOn

industrial-backup-generator

Now that virtually all business is done electronically, it is important to have safety nets in place in case of an emergency. Every business, and individual for that matter, should have an external source where they backup information. This can be through CDs, an external hard drive, or even cloud computing.

Another important safety measure is equipping your office with surge protectors and an industrial backup generator. In the event of a power outage, the backup generator will immediately startup and prevent you from losing unsaved information. If you are able to save documents just one time with the generator, it will probably pay for itself.

The Importance of Electrical Safety

October 23, 2009
posted by KeepTheLightsOn

electricity-safety-presentationHaving worked many manual labor jobs, I’ve sat through many OSHA-style presentations. Many of them go over ridiculous, commonsense parameters such as how to properly stand on a ladder and wash a paintbrush. Despite the fact that much of the material in these presentations is superfluous, the electricity safety presentation is important.

Many of us remember lighting up a bulb with a battery and other similar experiments from elementary school. For most people, however, that is where their knowledge or electricity and safety precautions ends. Because a wrong move with electricity can be fatal, learning the proper safety precautions is essential.

Having a Backup Plan

October 9, 2009
posted by KeepTheLightsOn

residential-backup-generatorLiving in the Pacific Northwest, I have become accustomed to power outages. Although the old-growth trees and forests create clean air and beautiful landscapes, they are also a power line’s worst enemy. During a 1993 windstorm that took out whole sections of the energy grid, my family lost power for over a week.

After having to move into a hotel for multiple days, we learned our lesson and bought a residential backup generator. Now when we lose power—which usually happens at least once a year—we don’t have to worry about computer crashes and losing hundreds of dollars of food. Having the necessities is great, but I enjoy having TV and other electronics too.

Keep Your Business Up and Running

September 22, 2009
posted by KeepTheLightsOn

power_outage

As the owner of a small business – a bookstore to be exact – I’ve learned to prepare for every eventuality. Since money has been tight for the past few months, I’ve been forced to prioritize my expenses. I recently sat down and made a list of the supplies that could make my business more successful, and a commercial backup generator topped the list. If I’m not open six days a week, my profit margin decreases exponentially.

So much of my business is dependent on electricity, from the cash register to the credit card system. Without a reliable stream of AC power, I would have to put the work day on hold – and that means hundreds of dollars of revenue down the drain. Power outages aren’t uncommon during the rainy season, so backup generators are especially relevant now.

Basic Safety Tips for the Workplace

September 8, 2009
posted by KeepTheLightsOn

electrical-safety-program

Depending on your place of work, you may not take much time to think about electrical safety. Most businesses rely heavily on electricity to function in their day to day operations, so it’s somewhat paradoxical that so little time is devoted to understanding its dangerous potential. An electrical safety program can provide your employees with peace of mind even as it saves the company untold sums of money in damages and lawsuits.

Generally speaking, basic safety guidelines can be found in the National Electrical Code. Some of the most common safety mishaps in the workplace involve overloaded circuits and misused extension cords. Each electrical circuit should be meticulously labeled with the exact appliances it serves. Likewise, always check the wire sizes of extension cords to ensure that they can handle the electrical load from a given tool.

Taking the Necessary Precautions

August 24, 2009
posted by KeepTheLightsOn

safetyeleIt’s easy to overlook all of the potential dangers inherent to a workplace environment. Most of us are preoccupied with business matters such as meetings, presentations and correspondence. As a result, we don’t devote adequate attention to ensuring electrical safety in the office. Although white-collar office settings can harbor all sorts of harm, the real dangers are prevalent in warehouses and other industrial areas.

Anyone who comes into contact with electrical tools on a daily basis should undergo electrical safety training. The best forms of training are those that demonstrate what can happen when people are unfocused or negligent. These shouldn’t be classified as scare tactics; they are merely representations of what could happen in a worst case scenario. The next time you’re on your way to work, think about all the critical knowledge you could gain from a safety presentation.

A Backup for Blackouts

August 10, 2009
posted by KeepTheLightsOn

blackoutFor many Californians, the memories of large-scale rolling blackouts of 2001 and 2002 remain fresh. And these memories are especially unpleasant for employers who lost entire days of business. Those blackouts were a result of inadequate power in the state electricity grid; they were completely beyond the control of most companies and citizens.

Blackouts and other electricity failures can occur at any time, which makes it especially important for business owners to have an industrial generator at hand. These generators allow business to continue as usual; they facilitate transactions and eliminate the possibility of lost revenue. Every work day counts, especially in the case of small businesses.