WICHITA FALLS MAN
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Why You Need a Backup Generator
You might remember the Great Texas Freeze of February 2021. I remember it well, even though the Wichita Falls Man HQ was affected far less than others around the state or even in Wichita Falls. We were without power for a total of 15 hours. Some were without power for a week. We had a generator to keep us warm. Most did not. Don't be among the "most did not" group. Start saving for a generator now. The peace of mind is priceless.
When we lost power in February 2021, my main concern was keeping warm. This concern was not an issue with our Briggs & Stratton Q6500 generator standing by. It was easy to plug the furnace into a multi-outlet at the end of an extension cord leading to the generator outside. There was plenty of generator capacity for the refrigerator, furnace, and lights. In February, you can store food outside, or in a garage, if necessary. With a generator, that won't be necessary.
We didn't have any medical equipment that needed power, but I couldn't help but wonder about those who did. What equipment was it? Breathing machines, oxygen devices, power scooters and wheelchairs, home dialysis machines, and other devices. Batteries don't last forever. There's also medication that requires refrigeration. How did users of these devices make out during that February? Imagine the peace of mind knowing a generator was standing by.
It's not just winter power outages to worry about in Wichita Falls. Summer storms can cause problems, also. Years ago, high winds caused a neighbor's tree limbs to take out nearby power lines. We were on the same transformer. Our Briggs & Stratton Q6500 isn't quite large enough to power our central A/C unit, but it will power several window A/C units that we keep on standby. Those who rely on powered medical devices need a generator in summer and winter. There's also that refrigerator problem. You can't store food outside in the summer.
What about people who work from home, either for themselves or a third party? While an extended power outage might not necessarily constitute a disaster, it can have near-disastrous effects on business operations.
And let's not forget about those communications devices such as cell phones and two-way radios. A communications blackout can be just as stressful as refrigeration and/or heating and air conditioning concerns. Some cell phone towers might have backup power, but that means nothing if your cell phone is dead. Without a generator, a nearby vehicle can keep many devices charged.
What about those Amateur (ham) radios, CB radios, and GMRS radios? Without power, they're nothing more than paperweights. Again, power from a nearby vehicle can keep those radios going. Not having to rely on a vehicle is better.
If you have a friendly neighbor, you might consider splitting the cost of a generator with them. You can alternate use for one to two hours at a time. You two can work out the details.
Wichita Falls Man
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