The Benefits Of Installing A Generator For Your Cape Cod Home
Cape Cod, and especially those of us who live here year ‘round know that we have an aging electric grid that has frequent outages. Axios reported that Massachusetts experiences more power outages than average longer power outages, and the average number of hours is also increasing, not decreasing. The Association To Preserve Cape Cod wrote an article in February of 2024, after many people lost power for at least part of a day due to Nor’Easter.
The bottom line is that between an aging power grid and the increased number and severity of storms due to climate change, residents on the Outer Cape are more vulnerable than ever to power outages, and of unknown duration. Yet with more people relying on electricity to power every aspect of their lives, from heating and cooling, to telecommuting for work, to relying on power for CPAP machines and other medical devices, unexpected power outages can be more than inconvenient- they can be life threatening.
That’s why at McDonnell Mechanical, we’re seeing more and more people opting to add a generator to their homes. With a Generac generator, you can ensure that key aspects of your home- your HVAC system, refrigerators, and select circuits in your home can operate continuously when the power’s out for everyone else.
Risks in Summer and Winter
Late Summer and Early Fall are prime Hurricane Season. While the Gulf Coast sees more Hurricanes than we do, the tropical storm winds and rain can do their own damage to our fragile infrastructure.
In the Winter, Nor’easters can send snow and winds our way, further endangering our electric grid, just when people need it most for heating as well as connectivity to the world off the Cape. And the bottom line is the further out in the Outer Cape you live, the more vulnerable you are to electric outages that occur closer to Mid-cape- and the longer it takes crews to get out and fix the problems.
Why Choose a Generator?
When you lose power for more than a few minutes, it can get expensive. Without power, the temperature in your refrigerator and freezer can increase, making food more likely to spoil and become unsafe to eat. Replacing a whole fridge’s worth of food can run you several hundreds of dollars, and with just one or two extended outages, the security a generator offers looks more and more attractive and cost-effective.
Especially if you plan on using your Cape Home year- round, a generator will make your home more comfortable for you and more attractive to renters. You won’t have to deal with people begging for refunds if the power goes out, because they really won’t be inconvenienced at all by bad weather!
If anyone in your family uses medical equipment like a CPAP machine, or takes medication that needs to be kept cold, having a generator will make sure you can run this critical equipment even when the power goes out. That’s peace of mind that many folks find important, and it’s why we’ve been installing more and more generators every year in the Outer Cape Communities.
Generators can also keep your well and sump pump operating, keeping your home operating and protecting it from damage due to flooding.
And of course, if you have a security system for your home, a generator can keep that running as well – and that’s particularly important to keep your home safe when you’re not around.
Homeowners have also told us that having a generator has increased the value of their home when they do decide to put it on the market. And with real estate prices increasing everywhere, don’t you want to have an advantage to get a premium price for your home?
If You’re Thinking About Installing A Generator, Give Us A Call!
If you’re tired of all the power outages and what it does to your productivity, give us a call at 508-394-0005, or contact us online. We’ll send someone from our expert team out, and you can choose a generator that will meet your critical needs in an emergency, and make sure your family is safe and comfortable. We have a wide range of choices and price points, so you can find a generator that meets your needs and budget!
Replacing an old heating system is a big decision, and one that you sometimes may not have a straight answer to. In most cases, people simply replace their old heating system when it stops working. This is a pretty simple answer, but one that rings true for most people.
The best time of year to replace your heating system is the fall. Obviously, if your heating system needs to be replaced in the winter, that is perfectly fine. We would recommend replacing your heating system in the fall for a few reasons.
One of the common things homeowners complain about is why certain rooms in their home always seem too hot or too cold. It might be your sunroom, the room above the garage, or a room on the upper floor that just is too warm for comfort. Or maybe you have a finished basement, and the room always feels clammy in some way.
Ductless mini-split systems are so efficient they qualify for rebates from most energy companies and tax credits up to