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lights go out in a storm, someone has to go to the garage and power up
the gasoline generator and run extension cords to the appliances. Also,
portable generators often sit unused for extended periods of time and
may not work in an emergency.

POwER whEN yOu NEED It MOst
Besides their reliability, today’s natural gas generator can sense the
outage, then automatically start and transfer the home’s electrical PhOtO COURtESy Of gEnERAC POwER SyStEmS
loads. These generators can be sized and equipped to handle specific
loads such as refrigerators and heating, ventilation and air conditioning
(HVAC) systems or even support an entire home.
“This is an important aspect to consider when deciding on what type
and size of generator to install,” Whitney said. “For instance, a generator
that is sized to handle a home that has a five-ton HVAC system, water Natural gas generators, like the above from
heater, two refrigerators and several kilowatts of lighting and plug load Generac Power Systems, help keep the lights on
will be a different model than one sized for backing-up a refrigerator and appliances working during a power outage.
and lighting only.”
Generac offers a range of natural gas generators. The Guardian 22kW stallation. Larger generators that can provide power to more loads are
air-cooled system and the new 24kW machine are considered whole- generally more expensive than smaller generators that can only back up
home generators, capable of backing up the average American home. smaller loads. Complicated installations that involve extended natural
The Generac PowerPact 7.5 kW system can handle essentials such as gas or propane lines or trenching electrical cables can be more costly
lights, furnaces and refrigerators. than installing generators closer to main breaker panels. A certified
When deciding which appliances to back up, homeowners should installation dealer can provide more information.
consider their budget, anticipated use and criticality of specific systems Natural gas generators are permanently installed and operate off the
or appliances. Each situation is unique, Whitney said. home’s natural gas service. They are hard-wired into the home’s electri-
“Making these decisions in California, where frequent public safety cal system via an automatic transfer switch and become a permanent
power shut-off (PSPS) events occur that leave millions without power fixture that offers resale value to the home.
for days or weeks is much different from making these decisions in East Homeowners are advised to do the research and decide what’s best
Texas, where frequent nuisance outages can occur for only a couple of for their situation, Whitney said.
hours at a time,” he said. “It’s better to have more power than you need and be able to use it
Prices for natural gas generators chiefly depend upon size and in- when you need it than not have enough power when you need it most.” n

(continued from page 07) loads a free app onto their smartphone or tablet. This allows them to
Evolving technology adds another benefit to tankless water heaters. turn the unit on or off, change the water temperature, monitor system
For example, many Navien models come with Wi-Fi connectivity called status and perform other functions in the palm of their hand.
NaviLink™. This module makes it easy to communicate with the system “These smart home options for tankless water heaters are growing
anywhere internet service is accessible. Once installed, the owner down- in popularity, in terms of market share,” Fenske said. “Just six to eight
years ago, gas tankless water heater sales accounted for 7% to 9% of
“Just six to eight years ago, gas tankless water gas residential tank sales. In 2021, the percentage is expected to rise to
23% to 25% of the market share. The benefits make it clear why tankless
heater sales accounted for 7% to 9% of gas
water heaters are high on consumers’ lists.”
residential tank sales. In 2021, the percentage When considering a tankless water heater, homeowners should con-
tact a reputable installer for more information about their unique needs.
is expected to rise to 23% to 25% of the market
It’s advisable to first consider what unit capacity will meet the hot water
share. The benefits make it clear why tankless requirements of the home. Other important factors include location of
water heaters are high on consumers’ lists.” the tankless appliance, size of unit and how it will be vented, which can
all affect service and cost. A reliable installer can offer advice on how to
— Fenske reduce costs while gaining the best hot water delivery. n

Spring - Summer 2021 ❙ naturalLiving 15
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