Tag Archives: generator installation northern virginia

Generator Installation Loudoun County VA

What You Need to Know Before Installing a Generator

Blog, Generator, , ,

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.

Generator outside of building

Choosing the Right Generator for Your Home

Blog, Generator

No matter the circumstances nor time of day, power outages are always a huge inconvenience. After all, every device and appliance in your home runs on some level of power. So, you should consider having a whole-house generator installation in your home. And the best generators are provided and installed by the home appliance professionals at RA Dobson. 

We have dedicated ourselves for over 45 years to providing home appliances to residents throughout Ashburn, VA. Additionally, we offer expert services in maintenance, repair, and installation across a wide range of specialties—plumbing, heating, indoor air quality, and more. If you require a repair or installation in your home, speak with a professional from RA Dobson and get a free estimate for the specific service you need. 

Here, we outline some crucial details to help you identify the right generator for your home:  

Types of Home Generators

Before we discuss how to choose the best generator for your home, let’s review the different types of available generators. As you might be able to guess, different generators produce different wattage capacities. 

The higher a generator’s capacity, the more appliances that it can power. You have an array of options to choose from according to your budget and preference. 

Specifically, we’ll be talking about inverter generators, which are suited for home emergency power. The general types of inverter generators include:     

  • Recreational Inverter Generator – Small, portable generators that produce up to 2,000 watts of power, usually used as a portable power source for camping or small-scale construction. However, they can also power a few appliances in your home during a power outage.  
  • Mid-Sized Inverter Generator – Larger portable generators that, as their size suggests, produce more power—usually up to 3,500 watts. Thus, they can also act as a short-term power supply for several appliances in your home (at least a few more compared to the previous generator type). 
  • Large Inverter Generator – The largest type of portable generator, producing up to 7,500 watts. One of these will power a good deal of your home’s power supply, though not its full capacity. 
  • Home Standby Generator – Essentially, a second generator for your entire home. These produce around 20,000 watts, enough to power the essential appliances and more. These are also installed directly into your home’s power system, meaning that in the event of an outage, your system will immediately switch to this generator, making your lack of power almost seamless. 

Along with increasing capacities, these generators are also in order of lowest to highest cost. Below, we’ll discuss how you can choose the right generator for your home based on the situations regarding your climate. 

Situations That Require A Generator Installation

While price and preference have their weight in your decision of which emergency generator installation to buy for your home, the climate around your home–and the situations that result–is also another important factor to consider. 

  • Power Outages Are Frequent – These usually occur in homes located in climates that involve frequent severe weather events like blizzards, storms, and hurricanes. In this case, you should invest in a home standby or large inverter generator, as the high frequency of outages requires a more consistent source of backup power. 
  • Outages Are Occasional – In a climate where outages occur every so often but are not prolonged, it’s best to go with a mid-size or large inverter to maintain some if not most of your home’s power when it is needed. 
  • Outages Are Rare – Though the likelihood of an outage is small, preparing to maintain your home’s power in the potential event of one is still important, so having a recreational or mid-size inverter generator around your home is a practical choice to make.   

RA Dobson: High-Quality Generator Installation in Ashburn, VA

The above information should help you narrow down the generator you want to install for your home. In the end, what counts the most is the service you choose for assistance in making the necessary setup and premium generator installation work. Hiring RA Dobson will not only get you high-quality generators but also other excellent home appliances, as well as great services in plumbing, heating, HVAC, and more. Our team has over 45 years of experience in the industry, which means our technicians are qualified and seasoned in providing the best heating, HVAC, and plumbing services possible. Contact us at  (703) 481-3700 to learn more and get a free estimate for one of our services.