Florida’s weather can be incredibly unpredictable, especially with the intense summer storms and the annual hurricane season that runs from June 1 through November 30. While our area’s utility companies work tirelessly to restore power after an outage, the reality is that many people go without power for days or even weeks, leaving their homes and businesses vulnerable.
In these instances, a reliable backup generator isn’t a luxury but rather an essential investment for Florida homeowners—it provides peace of mind, ensuring that your home is powered, no matter how bad the storm or how long the outage lasts.
Understanding Power Outages in Florida
The 2024 hurricane season was especially active, with several powerful storms impacting Florida. The two worst were Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, which left over 1.3 million Floridians without power, and Hurricane Milton, a Category 3 storm, which affected approximately 3 million residents.
While power outages are always inconvenient, they can also be dangerous, affecting everything from your home’s temperature to keeping medical equipment functioning. Making sure that you’re prepared with a backup generator helps keep your home comfortable and safe during any interruptions to your power.
The Risks of Not Owning a Backup Generator in Florida
In Florida, power outages can lead to a host of property damage risks, especially during severe weather events like hurricanes and summer storms. Without a backup generator, several crucial systems in your home may fail, potentially causing significant damage.
Flooding and Water Damage
One of the most immediate concerns is sump pump failure during an outage. These pumps are essential for keeping crawl spaces dry, especially during heavy rain. Without power, your sump pump can’t function, and water can quickly accumulate, leading to flooding and extensive water damage, resulting in costly repairs to your home’s foundation, flooring, and belongings.
Loss of Refrigeration
If, like most homeowners, you rely on refrigerators and freezers to store your food, power outages can lead to spoiled food, creating both a health hazard and a financial burden, as you toss out hundreds of dollars’ worth of groceries. In addition to the food waste, leaving a refrigerator or freezer unplugged for too long can damage those appliances.
Appliance and Electronic Damage
During power outages, sudden surges as power is restored can hurt your devices, including TVs, computers, HVAC systems, and even electrical wiring. A surge protector can help prevent some of the damage, but a backup generator ensures that power is restored smoothly and safely.
Safety Risks
A prolonged outage can also compromise your home’s security. A loss of power makes it more difficult to navigate safely around your home or protect your property from potential break-ins. Lighting and security systems that rely on electricity are essential in keeping your home secure, and a generator can provide the necessary power to ensure they remain operational.
Structural Damage
Extended periods without power can also affect the climate control inside your home. Without air conditioning or heating, indoor temperatures can become uncomfortable or even dangerous. In Florida, the humidity and heat can quickly lead to mold growth, which can cause structural damage and pose health risks. A backup generator can help keep your HVAC systems running, reducing the risk of humidity-related damage and keeping your home comfortable.
Let Holly Electric Empower You in a Storm
At Holly Electric, we make backup generator installation hassle-free. Our electricians install the unit outside your home and integrate it into your electrical system, ensuring seamless power transfer. With automatic transfer switches, the generator activates automatically during an outage, even during storms, and operates quietly with insulated housing. We’ll also help you choose the right size—smaller units power essentials like lights and refrigerators, while larger ones can keep everything running, including HVAC systems, during extended outages.
In Florida, where power outages are frequent due to severe weather, a backup generator is essential for keeping your home’s systems running, protecting your property, and ensuring your safety. Contact Holly Electric and trust that your generator will be installed and maintained for reliable power no matter what the weather brings.