As you already know, Cape Cod is a majestic place with a rich history. It is home to some of the best fishing in the world. Every summer, hundreds of thousands flock to the area to get some sun and relax on the beach with family & friends. Many locals rent out their homes during peak season, whether on sites like Airbnb, or through other vacation rental companies.
Of course, the last thing you will want when a renter is at your place is a power outage. They will be disappointed and you could be looking at a serious headache. You might even have to reimburse them, or throw in extra perks to keep them happy. Either way, it’s obviously something to avoid.
At the same time, renters are there during some of the most dangerous times for hurricanes (season runs from June 1st to November 30th).
Whether you rent your home for the summer, or you’ll be there yourself, this popular peninsula is especially vulnerable to power outages from hurricanes. So what can you do to protect your Cape Cod property? How can you make sure that your home is prepared for any weather situation? Here are four key and inter-related ways.
Pictured above: Briggs & Stratton Fortress home generator, a popular option.
Some people think that a portable generator (a unit you can pick up for a couple hundred bucks at a hardware store) will suffice. While that's better than nothing, it’s really not a suitable solution for powering a home with air conditioning, refrigeration, water heaters, etc.
Instead, what every home should ideally have is a dedicated backup power source that will kick on instantly when needed. With residents routinely facing extreme weather, standby generators are especially popular on the Cape. A typical standby generator might cost between $8,000 and $12,000 depending on power needs. Also, make sure to plan. Right now, there is a shortage of generators across the country; lead times for installations are historically high. So if you plan to act, you might want to do it sooner rather than later.
We don’t recommend trying to maintain your unit yourself or using just any electrical expert nearby. Why? Any new system requires a certified technician to provide preventative maintenance. This will keep your generator under warranty while guaranteeing an efficient startup & run time, when needed most. When you use a service provider that has a strong existing infrastructure and robust disaster recovery capabilities, you will be in a much better place. Paying a bit more per month could mean the difference between a seamless week at the beach, or a blackout. Another thing, with many areas only accessible from one road, there is a serious risk limited travel at the busiest time. All the more reason to go with the pros.
Did you know that you can check the status of your generator, get key diagnostic information, and generally keep an eye on your home’s backup power source all on your smartphone? Remote monitoring apps make it incredibly easy to make sure you’re covered while the renters are there. You won’t have to bother them with any tasks and you’ll know that you’re in the clear. You have an app for your security system, an app for your lights, an app for your stereo, what’s one more!?
There are essentially three options for remote monitoring technology:
4. Get to know your machine.
Understand how to check oil levels. Learn about your automatic transfer switch, the box inside your home that kicks the generator into gear when it detects an outage. Check online or in person to see if your generator is exercising weekly. Make sure the season for preventative maintenance visits work best for your schedule, especially if you have others renting. Remember, you don’t need to be an expert --- that’s what your service professionals are for. But at the same time, having some basic knowledge about your home’s power could potentially serve you very well. You’ll love the peace of mind that your guests are having a great time. And they’ll love the uninterrupted power!
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Looking for a reliable and reputable generator installation company and/or service provider on Cape Cod? FM Generator has been doing business here in Eastern Massachusetts since 1970. Our technicians are intimately familiar with the Cape, and we do lots of business out there. We are a member of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, servicing municipal buildings for seven Cape Cod towns. The Barnstable Municipal Airport, local businesses, & hundreds of local residents trust us with all of their backup power needs.
Call today for a free consultation: 800-253-6617 or use the form below.