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South Florida Power Outages Demonstrate Need for Backup Power Source

Posted on: Thursday, 28 February 2008, 12:00 CST

WAUKESHA, Wis., Feb. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The recent power outages in South Florida resulted in over three million people living without power and without a backup power source. When the next outage occurs, power may not be restored as quickly. Candles and flashlights cannot ensure a family's safety and security during a prolonged power outage. An alternative backup power source is the answer.

From September 2006-September 2007, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reported that more than 11 million people were affected by weather-related or rolling blackout power outages. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), power outages cause numerous risks, including illness from food-born bacteria, the risk of fire from candle use and the risk of heat stroke or hypothermia in severe temperatures. Homeowners also risk their safety due to security systems being disabled.

One protection for homeowners against these unforeseen power outages is to install a standby power generator that automatically comes on when the power goes out. In fact, Generac(R) Power System, Inc., the leading manufacturer of residential and commercial standby generators, is setting a new standard in residential power protection, according to Clement Feng, chief marketing officer, Generac Power Systems.

"The smaller Generac residential generator is a total redesign," says Feng. "Aesthetically, it's more pleasing; electrically, it's more powerful; and ergonomically, it's more practical." As homes have grown in size and electronics have increased in popularity, backup generators have advanced as well. "Now we're bringing even more power, which is able to back-up an entire home," says Feng.

A Generac air-cooled unit offers the highest output of any generator of its kind at the most competitive price on the market. When equipped with Generac's Power Manager(R) LTS panel, the new 20kW model can handle all circuits, including central air conditioning without shutting off other circuits, explains Feng. The power quality is also best in class, allowing for safe operation of sensitive electronic equipment. Generac's new 2008 air- cooled line comes in four additional models with ratings of 8, 11, 14 and 17 kW - more than what is available from any other manufacturer.

Automatic standby generators operate on natural gas or liquid propane vapor, so there are none of the fuel storage concerns that are common with gasoline or diesel models. Because of their favorable emissions profile, gaseous-fueled generators are becoming increasingly popular as a conscious solution for backup power needs.

"The new models reflect our market-leading commitment to bring better and more affordable standby power solutions to home and business owners, with fully automatic standby generators priced starting at $1,999," says Feng.

Generac introduced the first gaseous-fueled automatic home standby system in 1989 and has been the leading brand ever since. Generac generators are available under the Generac and Guardian by Generac brands. For more information on Generac residential or commercial products, visit http://www.generac.com/ or call 888-GENERAC.

Generac Power Systems, Inc.

CONTACT: Dan Giampetroni of Generac Power Systems, +1-262-544-4811, ext.3100, dgiampetroni@generac.com; or Ashley Dow of Griffin & Company, Inc.,+1-888-420-0256, ext. 102, dow@griffinco.com

Web site: http://www.generac.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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