Tag Archives: generator installation experts

Generator Installation Loudoun County VA

What You Need to Know Before Installing a Generator

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Severe storms and other weather events threaten our home comforts. An unprotected home could go without electricity for hours, days, or sometimes weeks. Nevertheless, many homeowners fail to consider installing a backup generator, let alone investigate the different types or the necessary power capacity. So, secure your home and family from power outages by hiring the technicians at R.A. Dobson for standby generator installation and expert product guidance.

R.A. Dobson proudly provides generator installation and repair services to our clients in Loudoun County, VA. We’re a second-generation, family-run company, so we empathize with our customers and their concerns. We strive to provide home systems you can trust, especially in emergencies. For a professional evaluation and $250 0ff your installation, contact us today at (703) 481-3700.

Below, we review what you should know before installing a generator:

Portable vs. Standby Generators

Generator Installation Loudoun County VA

Relying on a portable generator for backup home power creates a few problems. First, they can pose a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning when placed in or close to a house, as well as an electrical and tripping hazard if they need extension cords.

Additionally, portable generators have much less run-time capability than standby generators. Though portable models may provide home power for short spells, their small fuel capacity means they must be refueled quite often.

But standby generators can link to large fuel containers/natural gas lines, be wired to your home, and activate automatically during an outage. Moreover, they provide the energy and fuel capacity necessary to power your home without the safety hazards associated with portable models.

Choosing the Right Power Capacity

The right power capacity for your standby generator depends on the size of your home and the extent of your needs. A standard whole-house generator produces between 20-22 kW, which supplies the power required by heating and air conditioning units. However, if you only want to keep your refrigerator and a few lights on, a 5-10 kW generator could fulfill your needs. A professional evaluation can determine which standby generator would work for your home.

Selecting a Fuel Type

You should consider your fuel options as well, including:

  • Natural Gas: Both clean and accessible during most weather conditions and emergencies, natural gas fulfills the reliability needed for a backup generator.
  • Propane (LP Gas): Safe, stable, and easy to store in large quantities, propane is usually accessible and supplied by a local delivery service. Although propane doesn’t contain as much energy capacity as diesel, it’s still a great option for a standby generator.
  • Diesel: Having low volatility and high energy content, diesel is a popular choice for commercial properties. Although it often requires an external tank, diesel is a viable option if you lack access to natural gas or propane.

If you’re still unsure, an expert can help you determine the best fuel type and generator for your home.

R.A. Dobson: Professional Generator Installation in Loudoun County, Virginia

Turn to the professionals at R.A. Dobson for generator installation services in Loudoun County, Virginia. We select our products carefully and respect all warranties. When our technicians install your standby generator, you can trust it to protect you and your family in emergencies. For a standby generator from a trustworthy service provider, visit our website or call (703) 481-3700 today.

An home in Northern VA gets a quality HVAC Inspection

Spring Maintenance Checklist

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Routine home maintenance is crucial to maintaining your home comfort even as the weather gets warmer. It also allows you to catch any problems before they worsen and result in costly repairs. Get in touch with your local HVAC inspection company in Northern Virginia to help you detect problems before they worsen. 

At RA Dobson, our team adheres to the federal, state, and local government’s COVID-19 guidelines, implementing daily health checks on our technicians, wearing face masks, and providing contactless visits and quotes. If you require any HVAC or plumbing services, contact us to receive a free contactless estimate!

Here are a few items that should be on your spring maintenance checklist this year: 

Clean Your Ducts

Keeping your ducts clean on a regular basis, especially before spring, helps reduce allergens and allows you to breathe easier. With dirty air ducts, you could be breathing in fungi and bacteria. Prevent your allergies from getting out of hand with professional duct cleaning.

Maybe even consider installing an air cleaner to prevent pollutants from circulating throughout your home. At RA Dobson, our team receives high-level training and can help you determine which air purifier is right for you.

Check Your Heating and Cooling Unit

If your heating and cooling system experiences frequent breakdowns, then it will likely break down again, which could lead to emergency repairs and damages to your heating and cooling systems. Even if your system is a few years old, it still requires routine maintenance to function properly.

Clean Your Drains

Dirty drains are a common problem in many households. If your drains are clogged, drain slowly, or produce a pungent odor, then have a professional plumber take a look. Have your drains professionally cleaned to keep your home comfortable throughout the warmer months.

Generator Check Up

Before Northern Virginia’s hottest temperatures arrive, ensure your generator is functioning properly. An efficiently functioning generator will be able to handle any outages that take place during inclement weather and conditions.

Receive an HVAC Inspection, Routine Maintenance, & More in Northern Virginia

At RA Dobson, we are committed to helping you maintain your home comfort and safety with comprehensive spring maintenance and adhering to our COVID-19 safety protocols. By providing professionally trained HVAC inspection technicians that are dedicated to maintaining your home comfort, we ensure that you will experience ultimate comfort right away. 
We have served the Sterling, Virginia area for over 45 years, and you can trust us to provide efficient and affordable spring maintenance. Contact our team at (703) 481-3700 to receive a contactless quote today.

Generator Repair Service in Sterling VA

The Importance of A Professional Generator Installation

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Generators are one of the most important parts of your home that’s often overlooked, especially during preparation for major storms. When we lose electricity, a standby home generator is what powers our homes until it turns back on. However, like all other technology, generators have the potential to malfunction. If this happens, find a reliable generator installation expert to assist you right away.

Within moments of an outage, your standby generator starts up and reproduces the electrical load into the circuits of your home. There are many reasons why it’s important to have a functioning generator in your home or business such as:

  • Maintaining a comfort level on your property
  • Ensuring that all business or home processes are able to be continued
  • Helping your food in your refrigerator or freezer stay cool
  • Keeping the lights running during an outage at a sporting event or concert

At R.A. Dobson, we understand the importance of a well-functioning generator. Below are the many reasons why working together with a professional is highly recommended.

Why Hire A Professional Generator Installation Specialist?

Sufficient Emergency Power Supply

During spring thunderstorms and other harsh weather conditions, you can have peace of mind knowing that your professionally installed emergency power supply is adequately working.

Avoid Your System From Shorting Out

With a professionally installed generator, you can avoid incorrectly connecting your system, which could lead to a short. A professional has the capability to oversee this process to ensure every necessary detail is applied and your system is fully functional.

Obtain a Proper Sized Generator

Often times, when we see people install their own generators, they don’t purchase the size that they need. An over-sized generator could potentially overload, causing significant and permanent damage to your wiring and appliances. Installing a generator that’s too small will result with inadequate power supply.

Prevent Unsafe Natural Gas Generator Installation

With a professionally installed generator, you can avoid incorrectly connecting your system, which could lead to a gas leak. For anyone who isn’t professionally licensed to handle appliances connected to gas, it’s extremely unsafe, and not to mention in most cases, illegal.

Call your local generator installation specialist to handle your generator needs instead so you don’t have to worry.

Emergency Backup Sump Pumps

Having an emergency sump pump is a great option for a backup line of defense from home water damage. If it tends to rain heavily in your area, your home may be at risk without an emergency sump pump system.

R.A. Dobson: Professional Generator Installation & Repair in Sterling, VA

Power outages can last hours, days, and sometimes even weeks depending on your location. With R.A. Dobson, you can expect peace of mind with a timely repair or installation. Contact us today at (703) 481-3700 and receive $250 off generator installation. We are proud of the products and services we offer, and hope you’ll give us the opportunity to show just how easy it can be.