2020 Fall Home Improvement

Page 18 2020 FALL HOME IMPROVEMENT Lincoln Daily News September 24, 2020 The lights stay on when your power goes out W hen it comes to installing back-up or standby generators, it makes sense to hire a professional to avoid possible costly mistakes. As Doug Gholson of MB Heating Cooling Plumbing & Electric of Mount Pulaski says, homeowners do not generally know the electrical load or if their electrical panel is up to code. Therefore, the homeowner may undersize or oversize a generator. A professional can do a load test and tell exactly what size will be needed. Gholson said our job is to know the code and whether those appliances fit the specifications. Our electrical contractors are certified and do annual continuing education to stay up to date on codes. The codes generally require an electrician to hook up a generator to the proper wiring and switches. Doug says certain switches only work for certain sized loads and professionals can tell whether you should use a transfer switch or interlock switch based on your needs. One major reason to have a professional install the generator is that if it is improperly installed, Gholson said the generator’s warranty could be null and void. Additionally, installing a generator on your own may present some dangers. Local electrician David Blankenship shared several common mistakes that can be made when installing generators. By Angela Reiners Continued n