September is National Preparedness Month, making it a great time for Oklahoma homeowners to think about how prepared their homes really are for an emergency.
You may already have bottled water, flashlights, batteries, medications, and important documents ready to go. But there is another part of emergency planning that can make a major difference when severe weather strikes: backup power.
In Northeast Oklahoma, storms, high winds, tornadoes, ice, and other severe weather can leave homes without electricity. Sometimes the outage lasts only a few minutes. Other times, families can be left without power for hours or even days.
A professionally installed backup generator can help keep essential systems running when the electrical grid cannot.
Want to make sure your home is ready before the next outage? Contact JT Services to talk about your backup power needs.
Why Power Outages Should Be Part of Your Emergency Plan
When the electricity goes out, the inconvenience goes far beyond losing the lights.
Depending on the length of the outage, your family could also lose access to:
- Heating and air conditioning
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Well pumps
- Sump pumps
- Internet and communication devices
- Medical equipment
- Security systems
- Garage doors
- Lights and electrical outlets
For a short outage, these problems may be manageable. During an extended outage, however, losing power can quickly affect your family’s comfort, food supply, communication, and safety.
That is why power outage preparedness deserves a place alongside the other steps in your household emergency plan.
How a Whole-Home Backup Generator Works
A standby generator is permanently installed outside your home and connected to your home’s electrical system.
Unlike a portable generator that must be moved into place, fueled, and manually connected, a standby generator is designed to respond automatically when utility power is lost.
An automatic transfer switch detects the outage and safely switches designated electrical loads to generator power. When utility power returns, the system transfers the home back to the electrical grid.
That means your backup power system can help protect your home even if an outage occurs while you are sleeping or away from home.
Not sure what type of backup power your home needs? Contact JT Services to talk through your homeās needs and next steps.
What Can a Backup Generator Power?
The answer depends on the size of the generator and how the system is designed.
Some homeowners choose backup power for only the most important circuits in their home. Others prefer a whole-home generator capable of supporting most or all of the home’s electrical needs.
Depending on your system, backup power may help keep equipment such as the following running:
- Refrigerator and freezer
- Heating and cooling equipment
- Lights
- Kitchen appliances
- Internet equipment
- Well or water equipment
- Medical devices
- Home security systems
- Selected outlets and electronics
Choosing the correct generator is important. A generator that is too small may not be able to handle the electrical demand of your home, while purchasing more capacity than you need can unnecessarily increase the cost of the project.
A professional can evaluate your home’s electrical load and help determine the right backup power solution.
Why Backup Power Matters in Oklahoma
Oklahoma homeowners know that severe weather can develop quickly.
Thunderstorms, damaging winds, tornadoes, winter weather, and extreme temperatures can all contribute to unexpected power outages. When severe weather affects a large area, restoring power can also take longer.
Backup power adds another layer of preparedness by allowing your home to continue operating while utility crews work to restore service.
For many families, that can mean staying safely and comfortably at home instead of scrambling to make arrangements after an outage has already happened.
āDuring that May windstorm in Broken Arrow last year, a big part of our neighborhood lost power and some people were without it for nearly a full day. Our generator kept everything running. The AC stayed on, the fridge stayed cold, and we didnāt have to worry about leaving the house. After going through that, a whole-home generator doesnāt really feel like an upgrade anymore. It feels like something that just makes sense in Oklahoma.ā ā Larry Bair, Operations Manager
Power is only one part of severe weather preparedness. Learn more about JT Servicesā storm shelter options and give your family a safe place to go when Oklahoma weather turns dangerous.
Don’t Forget About Refrigerated Food
According to federal emergency preparedness guidance, refrigerators and freezers cannot keep food at safe temperatures indefinitely once electricity is lost.
A backup generator can help keep refrigerators and freezers operating, potentially reducing the amount of food that has to be thrown away after a prolonged outage.
For households with a fully stocked freezer, that alone can make backup power valuable during an extended emergency.
Backup Power Can Help Protect Your HVAC System and Home Comfort
Losing heating or cooling is one of the biggest concerns during an extended Oklahoma power outage.
During periods of extreme heat, indoor temperatures can rise quickly without air conditioning. During freezing weather, losing heat can create comfort concerns and may increase the risk of frozen plumbing.
A properly sized home backup generator may be able to keep selected HVAC equipment operating during an outage.
Because heating and cooling systems can have significant electrical demands, generator sizing and installation should always account for the equipment in your specific home.
Before severe temperatures arrive, make sure your system is ready. Explore JT Servicesā heating and cooling services for repair, maintenance, and installation across Northeast Oklahoma.
Standby Generator vs. Portable Generator
Both types of generators can provide backup electricity, but there are important differences.
Portable Generators
Portable generators typically require the homeowner to move the unit into a safe outdoor location, add fuel, start the generator, and connect the appropriate equipment.
They should never be operated inside a home, garage, enclosed porch, or other enclosed space because generators produce carbon monoxide.
Standby Generators
Standby generators are permanently installed and are designed to automatically provide backup power when an outage is detected.
For homeowners who want a more seamless emergency power solution, a professionally installed standby generator can eliminate many of the steps required to get portable equipment running during a storm.
Considering backup power for your Northeast Oklahoma home? Contact JT Services to discuss your options before the next outage.
Why Professional Generator Installation Matters
Installing a whole-home generator involves much more than placing equipment beside the house.
The system must be properly sized and safely connected to your electrical system and fuel source. Installation may also involve requirements related to placement, permits, clearances, electrical codes, and local regulations.
Professional installation helps make sure your generator is prepared to operate safely when you actually need it.
Your installer should consider factors including:
- Your home’s electrical demand
- Which systems you want powered
- Generator capacity
- Available fuel source
- Generator placement
- Transfer switch requirements
- Local codes and permitting
- Future maintenance needs
Backup equipment should be planned before the emergency, not when the lights have already gone out.
Your Generator Needs Maintenance Too
Installing a generator is only part of staying prepared.
Like your HVAC system or other mechanical equipment, your backup generator needs routine care to remain ready for an emergency.
Maintenance requirements vary by system but may include checking the battery, fluids, filters, connections, and overall operation.
Regular testing and maintenance can help uncover potential problems before the next outage.
If you already have a generator, National Preparedness Month is a good reminder to ask yourself:
When was the last time my generator was inspected or serviced?
If you cannot remember, it may be time to have it checked.
Build a More Complete Emergency Plan This September
Backup power should be one part of a larger household preparedness plan.
As you review your emergency plan this National Preparedness Month, consider taking a few simple steps:
- Know which severe weather events are most likely in your area.
- Create or update your family emergency plan.
- Keep emergency food, water, medications, flashlights, and batteries accessible.
- Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working.
- Know where you will shelter during severe weather.
- Keep important phone numbers and documents available.
- Consider how your household would handle an extended power outage.
- Have your existing backup generator inspected and maintained.
- If you do not have backup power, explore whether a standby generator makes sense for your home.
Preparing now can make an unexpected outage much easier to manage later.
Want to take a more proactive approach to home maintenance? Learn about JT Servicesā Total Home Care Club and keep important home systems on a regular maintenance schedule.
Prepare Your Northeast Oklahoma Home With JT Services
At JT Services, protecting your family’s comfort and safety is part of what we do every day.
From severe weather preparation to the systems that keep your home comfortable and running, our local team is here to help homeowners throughout Claremore, Tulsa, and Northeast Oklahoma prepare for whatever Oklahoma weather brings next.
If backup power is missing from your emergency plan, September is a great time to change that.
Ready to prepare your home before the next outage? Contact JT Services to discuss backup power and your home’s emergency preparedness needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Backup Generators
Is a whole-home generator worth it in Oklahoma?
For homeowners concerned about severe storms and extended power outages, a whole-home or standby generator can provide an additional layer of protection. Whether it makes sense for your home depends on your electrical needs, budget, outage risk, and which systems you want to keep operating.
What size backup generator do I need for my house?
Generator size depends on the electrical load you need to support. HVAC equipment, refrigerators, pumps, appliances, and other systems all affect sizing. A professional load assessment is the best way to determine the appropriate generator capacity.
Will a standby generator automatically turn on during a power outage?
Standby generator systems are designed to detect a utility outage and automatically provide backup power through an automatic transfer switch. The exact operation depends on the equipment and installation.
Can a backup generator run my air conditioner?
Many standby generators can be configured to power heating and cooling equipment, but the generator must be properly sized for the electrical demand of the HVAC system and other equipment being powered.
How often should a standby generator be serviced?
Maintenance schedules vary by manufacturer, model, operating hours, and environmental conditions. Homeowners should follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule and have the system inspected regularly so it is ready when an outage occurs.
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