See why most sizes and types of businesses need a backup generator as well as the difference between a standby generator and a backup generator.
Every power interruption – a few minutes, hours, or especially days – causes a negative financial impact. Research shows the average loss for medium and large businesses exceeds $15,000 for a 30-minute blackout. This increases to almost $100,000 for an 8-hour power loss. Cumulatively, this approaches $164 billion a year.
Power outages are also becoming more common. The United States averaged fewer than five major power outages a year from the 1950s to ’80s. In 2007, the number grew to 76, and in 2011, there were more than 300.
Part of this is due to the US’s aging power grid. Another contributing factor is extreme weather events which have doubled since 2003.
You can’t afford to be without backup power when the situation demands it. Whether you use a standby natural gas generator or a backup diesel generator, a secondary power plan is critical to keep your business operating.
3 Reasons You Need Backup Power
1. Critical Power Needs
For many industries, power is critical: hospitals and healthcare facilities, food storage and processing plants, and off-the-grid locations such as oil platforms and remote mining and excavation sites.
In all these cases, loss of power can quickly impact the health and safety of both people and perishable inventory.
2. Security & Theft Protection
You’ve seen the videos: The looting which seems to inevitably occur during a natural disaster or catastrophic event. An effective backup power plan will keep your security system online – which means controlled access to entry points, surveillance cameras, and all alarms and alerts functioning.
Every power outage has a financial impact, so don’t compound it with the loss of equipment or inventory.
3. Legal Requirements
Sometimes, it’s not just optimal to have power available, it’s the law. After Hurricane Irma in 2017, Florida and other states mandated nursing homes and assisted-living facilities have backup power generators. Florida and Louisiana also require gas stations and fuel wholesalers along evacuation routes to have backup power.
The Standby Generator vs. Backup Generator
A standby generator is permanently installed at one location and, in standby mode, continuously monitors the primary power source. If a power interruption is detected, an automated transfer switch immediately supplies power via the standby generator.
When power is restored, the transfer switch will then return to the primary power source. Using a natural gas generator is preferable so you don’t have to worry about fuel going bad during extended periods of limited use.
A backup generator is started manually as opposed to using a transfer switch. In addition, backup generators are usually smaller, portable, and run on diesel. As opposed to powering an entire business, you may have to run extension cords directly to equipment you need to use.
Be Prepared for any Power Emergency
Maybe you need the security of standby power which automatically comes on thanks to a natural gas generator’s transfer switch, or perhaps a portable backup diesel generator will do. Either way, the power must stay on.
Need a power generator set for your company? Contact us today to learn which diesel generator or natural gas generator options are best for your situation.