Preparing For A Power Outage

Preparing For A Power Outage

Year-round, demand on the electric grid fluctuates based on usage, weather, and supply. The unpredictable nature of electricity usage can lead to outages and widespread or rolling blackouts. According to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), almost two-thirds of the country is at an elevated risk for an outage this summer, including Connecticut.

“Every single person I spoke to knowledgeable, professional, and courteous. The work was done according to the time frame I was given at the beginning of the generator process. There was no problems at all. I was extremely impressed by the whole process.”

- Gault Customer Wilton

While we can’t control the weather, the power grid, or manmade disruptions to power lines, we can control how we prepare for an outage. Keeping flashlights and batteries, water and nonperishable food, and a first aid kit and spare medication on hand are key for storm season prep. But if you’re interested in powering parts or all of your home during an outage, then we recommend investing in a whole-home generator that’s designed to automatically turn on when needed.

We offer a turnkey solution starting with an appointment with our Generator Specialist to determine which option meets your needs.

From there, our team will guide you through the process from start to finish with our technicians, installers, and electricians on-site.

Visit gaultenergy.com/generators to learn more about our generator solutions.

Generators & The Electric Grid

Generators & The Electric Grid

If you stay up on domestic energy news, you’ve likely noticed that the electric grid continues to get a lot of attention. With some of the proposals to reach net-zero emissions, the demand on the electric grid will increase 60% by 2050.

Even now, power outages happen daily across the US – on average between 250,000- 500,000 outages per day. More homeowners are turning to stand-by generators in preparation for longer and more frequent loss of power.

With the need for careful installation in both the planning and installation process, we’ve become known for our turn-key generator solution. Our Comfort Specialists visit your home, review your needs and determine the best size and location for your generator. From there, our team of installers, technicians, and electricians will be onsite to get your generator up and running, backed by our commitment to be a You First company.

If you’re interested in adding a generator to your home’s energy portfolio, give us a call at 203.227.5181 or visit GaultEnergy.com/generators.

5 Steps to Prepare for a Hurricane

5 Steps to Prepare for a Hurricane

It's Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 1-7) and the 2022 hurricane season is predicted to be slightly above-average with a projected 13-16 named storms, 6-8 hurricanes and 2-3 major (Category 3 or above) hurricanes. 

Hurricane season officially starts June 1st so now is the time to prepare your home and family. With the supply of equipment ramping back up post COVID, there is no better time to get peace of mind for your family and home with an automatic standby generator from Gault Energy & Home Solutions.

We are known for our turnkey generator solution, coordinating every step of the process including:   

• Sizing the proper generator for your needs

• Coordinating all necessary electrical work and permitting

• Installing the generator and all necessary fuel piping

• Providing service and maintenance agreements to ensure your generator runs at peak performance

Review our 5 Steps to Prepare for a Hurricane below and reach out to us to find out more about installing an automatic standby generator at sales@gaultgenerator.com or gaultenergy.com/generator-info to get started!

When the next big storm hits, you’ll be glad you didn’t delay.

Storm Season Checklist

Storm Season Checklist

After every storm, we look back and update our emergency response plan based on best practices and what we’ve learned. And boy did we learn a lot after last August – no power, no cell service and no internet!

Here are a few tips we wanted to share in our new Storm Season Checklist.

• Prepare an emergency kit: include a lists of important contacts and documents

• Purchase storm supplies: extra batteries, flashlights, and medications. If you have a standby generator serviced by Gault, purchase Synthetic 5W30 oil to have on hand.

• Prepare your yard: clear hazardous/at risk landscaping, clean gutters, remove debris, secure outside items.

• Refresh your generator procedures:

  • Portable: Never put inside your home, keep 20ft+ away from any livable spaces, have extra gas on hand.

  • Whole-Home: Read the propane tank gauge, monitor long run rates, maintain system operations. Visit the Gault Storm Center for additional guidance & resources.

• Document: Take pictures of your home, yard and street pre- and post- storm to monitor damage and report losses to insurance.

For more valuable storm resources, FAQs, videos and checklists, visit the Gault Storm Center.

Don't Get Blown Away This Storm Season!

Don’t Get Blown Away This Storm Season!

A busy storm season can make for a frightening summer!

A little preparation now can save a lot of stress before, during and after a hurricane.

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Before: Create a hurricane action plan to prepare your family, pets and home for a storm. Include spare batteries, extra medication, a list of important numbers, and related insurance paperwork in your emergency kit.

Gault Tip!

Becoming familiar with your propane tank - know how to turn your tank off in an emergency and how to read the gauge in order to report your usage during a storm. Watch our How-To video on the Gault Storm Center.

During: Safety is a top priority - stay inside unless directed to evacuate, avoid contact with floodwaters inside or out, hunker down with flashlights, and keep pets indoors.

Gault Tip!

Even if you have a whole home generator, unplugging small appliances and other electronics that won’t be used during the storm can help avoid damage from power surges.

After: Once it is safe to do so, inspect your home and yard for damage, immediately report any loose or down power lines and use caution when cleaning up areas impacted by the storm.

Gault Tip!

Once your power has been restored, let us know via the Gault Storm Center so we can resume regular deliveries and services to your home.

Have a Plan for Severe Weather

When Severe Weather Strikes

Have A Plan....And A Generator

We are officially in Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 - November 30) and it is predicted to be above-average with a projected 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major (Category 3 or above) hurricanes. Having already experienced several storms and sustained power outages in the area this year, there is one important lesson for us all - BE PREPARED! Here are some basic guidelines to prepare your home and family for potential severe weather. For more information and emergency checklists, visit the American Red Cross website at redcross.org. 

1. Create a Family Disaster Plan

• Decide ahead of time where to go if you are at home, school, work, outdoors, or in a car when severe weather hits

• Agree with family members on a designated place to meet if separated

• Designate a friend or relative outside the area as your contact if you are separated

2. Know the Difference Between a Watch and a Warning

• Watch - Conditions for severe weather are possible in the area within 36 hours

• Warning - Severe weather conditions have been reported by spotters or radar and are expected to hit the area within 24 hours

3. Inspect your Home and Yard for Potential Hazards

• Remove outdoor items that may become airborne during a storm (lawn furniture, trash cans, toys, hanging plants)

• Trim or cut down weak trees and branches that could easily be broken off by high winds

• Keep rain gutters, window wells, drain lines and down spouts clear to prevent flooding in high rains

4. Secure Backup Power

• Have flashlights on hand, never use candles for light

• Have an automatic standby generator installed by Gault and you'll never be left powerless again!

Learn more about Automatic Standby Generators from Gault and schedule and in-home consultation here!

Generators: The AC of the Decade

Generators: The AC of the Decade

In 1980, only 50% of homes in the Northeast had central air conditioning in their home in comparison to over 85% today. Not only has air conditioning become standard equipment in the home but most of us would say we couldn’t live without it!

So what’s the next must-have for your home? Standby generators. Over the next 20 years, the market is predicting that 30 – 50% of homes in the U.S. will have a standby generator. If reminiscing about Super Storm Sandy isn’t enough for you to commit to a generator, here are a couple other facts to consider:

• Power outages that have duration of 24 hours or more have tripled since 1978 in the U.S.

• 40% of the U.S. power grid is over 40 years old

• Demand for electricity in the U.S. will increase by 18% in the next 10 years while grid improvements will increase by only 8.4%

• Demand for electricity is expected to rise by 30% in the next few decades (ii)

With the wind storms that have occurred already this year and the Atlantic Hurricane Season beginning on June 1st, there is no time like the present to protect your family and home from damaging power outages. Our generator team handles the entire installation process, making it seamless and easy.

Learn more here! When the next big storm hits, you’ll be glad you did.

i. Residential Energy Consumption Survey, US Energy Information Administration. http://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/reports/2009/air-conditioning.cfm
ii. Kohler Co.