Imagine sitting at home, relaxing after a hot summer day. Your air conditioner is keeping you cool, the kids are watching their favorite TV show, the freezer is full of good things to eat, and then unexpectedly, 5 miles away, a lightning bolt strikes a power cable ... */* CRACK */*... the power goes out and you're plunged into darkness.

     Latest statistics show that around 3.5 million Americans suffer a power outage each and every week, normally due to severe weather conditions (lightning, storms etc.). That's a lot of people fumbling around in the dark trying to find a flashlight ... with batteries that still work!

     But you don't need to be one of them. Installing a permanent standby generator for your home will ensure this doesn't happen to you.

     In a world that is highly dependent on technology, an increasing number of homeowners are installing permanent standby generators … and even more are considering one, based on the growing popularity of these automated units.

     Home generators (or standby generators / emergency generators / backup generators as they are also known) are permanent fixtures that are designed to restore power to a home or office within seconds of a power outage.

     There are various types of generators which run on different fuels, for example, diesel fuel, natural gas, and propane. By far the most popular are the natural gas and propane types as they run off an external fuel source that is piped in, and don't have to be replenished frequently.

     Most home standby generators feature an automatic transfer switch (ATS) that continually monitors utility power and automatically transfers electrical loads from the utility to the generator when power is lost -- whether the resident is home or away. The ATS reverses the process and shuts down the generator automatically once utility power resumes.

     In addition to the convenience of an auto starting option and practically infinite run time, permanently connected standby systems offer power levels higher than portables. All this makes them the best as whole house generators in case of a long-term emergency.

     Professional Installation Required. Because installing standby generators involves working with existing fuel lines and electrical wiring, professional installation by an authorized manufacturer's power expert is strongly recommended. These qualified individuals are also knowledgeable about local and regional ordinances concerning flood zones, noise and electrical codes, and can assist in applying for the proper permits and to ensure your installation is compliant.

     In today’s uncertain world, every family should have an emergency preparedness plan, and as part of that plan, it is well worth a homeowner’s time to research available home standby generators that can provide homes with reliable electricity during an emergency power outage. A home standby generator could mean the difference between sitting hungry in the dark; without air conditioning or even heat and going on with life in a normal manner as possible.