FOX23 learns why you should consider getting a home standby generator

TULSA, Okla. — When it comes to securing your home’s power system, experts say now is the time to consider a home standby generator.

FOX23 went shopping at the Generator Supercenter of Tulsa near 41st and Memorial to learn what you should look for in a generator.

Experts say the first thing to consider is what you want powered during an outage.  Are you okay with powering up just a few essential appliances? Or are you wanting to power your entire home?

“This is truly an investment of your security,” said Austin Partida, owner of Generator Supercenter of Tulsa. “Whether it’s your security camera system, whether it’s your AC and heater, whether it’s your meat in your fridge, it is a great investment for your home or business.”

Whether it’s an Oklahoma ice storm, or wind damage like last year’s Father’s Day storm, Partida said you might find yourself needing a generator any day of the year.

“Here in Oklahoma, we are seasonal with weather, but we are not seasonal with power grid stress, we’re not seasonal with animals getting to power lines, and we aren’t seasonal to car accidents,” he said. “Car accidents cause a lot more power outages than people think.”

Partida said you can buy a generator to service just a few key appliances during an outage, or you can also get a whole home generator allowing you to live normally even when the power is out.

He said whichever you choose, it’s important to do maintenance on your generator each year.

“These things are like a car engine,” he said. “They need to be maintained. When this generator needs to come on, it’s probably going to be at one in the morning, and it’s either going to be really hot or really cold. You want to make sure that your unit is always in primetime condition.”

Partida said they have certified technicians who can provide your yearly maintenance, even if you bought a generator elsewhere.

He said now is a great time to buy a generator, because wait times tend to increase in the winter.

If you’d like to learn more about securing your home’s power system, be sure to visit the upcoming 16th annual Home & Garden Expo.

It will be July 19-21 at The Exchange Center at Expo Square.