As history has proven, Texans are fiercely independent. Texas is the only U.S. state with its own power grid, but despite being the energy capital of the country, Texas has suffered more power outages than any other state. Since 2019, we’ve had about 300 power outages.
Resolutions forcing our energy providers to beef up the resiliency of the grid are in progress but “Reliable electricity service for Texas may depend on closely monitoring population growth, since the influx of residents is taxing its grid,” says financial professional Jennifer Nelson. “Adding power plants and transmission lines can also go a long way to preventing Texas AC issues and blackouts in the future.”
Easier said than done. Meanwhile, it’s important to manage weather-related risks as best we can. Hurricanes and heat are Gulf Coast Texas realities, and we want to understand options for maintaining health and safety. During intense weather events, generators can prevent some of the dangers associated with power loss. Inevitably there will be deaths when Texas AC is not available during a summer blackout.
Generators & Dangerous Heat in Texas
During and after Hurricane Beryl, our economic divide was defined by whether you lived in a neighborhood that roared with the sounds of generators vs. the “low rumble” of one or two home-power providers. The week after the storm, The New York Times reported well-to-do Southeast Texas neighborhoods had been humming with the sounds of gas-powered backup generators. But many homeowners can’t afford – or at this point, can’t find – whole-house generators.
While most agree losing a freezer-full of food is a problem, all Tomball-area residents agree that air conditioning is necessary for our survival. More than 240 people died in Texas’ 2021 winter storm power loss. Texas heat is extreme enough to be dangerous, and not only for the health-challenged. Losing AC can be life-threatening for many. To help you decide if you need a backup power source to keep your AC running, here’s information about generators:
9 Things To Know about Portable & Standby Generators
Some standby (whole-house) generators can’t handle all your power requirements, but most can. Very few portable generators can manage your home’s total power needs, but some can. A standby generator is a long-term solution that will increase the value of your property. But a portable generator is much more affordable and can get you through a blackout with targeted energy for AC and appliances.
It’s important to understand your home’s energy use before you invest in a generator. An average, 2,000 square-foot home with a family of four uses about 35kWh per day. Central AC may require as much as 14kWh/day, and a refrigerator may use 4kWh/day.
Need-to-know averages for standby/whole-house generators:
Annual maintenance is about $80-$300.
Automatic on/off is a standard convenience.
Central AC and large appliances can be powered long-term (days/weeks).
Fuel estimates are $200/day cost (propane/diesel) or $100/day (natural gas).
Installation cost is $500-$5,000, depending on where you live.
Power outputs are 8,000-20,000 watts.
Purchase costs range from $5,000-$25,000.
Return on investment can be as much as 150% and home value increases approximately 3%-5%.
Standbys run quieter than portable generators
Need-to-know averages for portable home generators:
Central AC requires approximately 8,000-watt units.
Fuel requirements can be 12-20 gallons gasoline/day.
There is a greater chance of CO emissions.
Manual startup/setup per-use is inconvenient.
No professional maintenance is required; DIY (do-it-yourself) maintenance is a cost-advantage.
Power output varies; 3,000-8,500 watts is common.
Proper storage is important.
Purchase costs are $500-$3,000; critical systems’ generators are priced between $2,000-$6,300.
Storing large quantity gasoline/fuel stabilizer is necessary.
Mega-portable inverter-generators are under $5,000 and can provide about 15,000 watts, which may support the power requirements of some homes. If your home heating and cooling system is 2 tons or less (about 7,000 watts), you might be able to use a smaller portable generator for AC “as long as you don’t use it to power any other appliances.”
Electric Cars and Generators
If your electric vehicle battery is run-down and there’s a power outage, you’re out of luck. Larger portable generators can charge an electric car, but using gasoline to reboot an electric vehicle defeats the purpose of emission-free vehicles. When a whole-house generator automatically powers up, EVs and everything else on the grid charges.
Cool, clean indoor air for Tomball homes and commercial properties is something we care about. Ask us about protecting your most valuable appliance – air conditioning systems in Northwest Harris County. Contact Country Air.
FAQs
Three frequently asked questions we receive about air conditioning and power outages are:
Power outages and surges can damage your HVAC unit. You can protect your AC by installing a surge protector; the upfront installation charge can offset the cost of replacing your entire unit. During severe lightning storms and flooding, turn off the system and unplug your unit if possible.
Today, some manufacturers include technology that enables remote on/off standby generator management.
Well-maintained generators can last about 20 years.
