North Bend, WA, like other areas of the Puget Sound region, is susceptible to power outages, from snowstorms in the Cascade foothills to the occasional summer thunderstorm. Blackouts can last for hours, or even days in more severe weather, impacting residents of North Bend and the surrounding Snoqualmie Valley. In these situations, whole-home generators can be a crucial asset, ensuring essential systems remain operational until power is restored. But can a generator power everything in your North Bend home, and how do you choose the right size? This guide provides some answers.
What Can Whole-Home Generators Power in North Bend?
A whole-home generator can power virtually any electrical device in your home. The key is determining what you need to prioritize during an outage. North Bend homeowners often choose to power necessities such as refrigerators, heating systems (especially important in winter), water heaters, well pumps (if applicable), and lights, along with communication devices and perhaps a garage door opener. Generators activate automatically when the power grid fails, keeping your North Bend home comfortable and secure.
However, even the most powerful generators have limitations. They are designed for emergency backup power, not to run every appliance simultaneously. While powering a home theater system might be desirable, prioritizing heating, lighting, and essential appliances is crucial during extended blackouts, particularly during the Snoqualmie Valley’s often harsh winter weather. The varying needs of every home is the reason why Washington Generators carries a wide options of home standby whole home generators for all of our customers.
What Size Generator Do You Need in North Bend?
It depends! Generators are rated by their kilowatt (kW) output, which determines how much power they can supply. The appropriate size depends on your North Bend home’s square footage, the appliances you want to run, and the availability of gas supply at the home. Residential backup generators typically fall into these categories:
- 14kW: A good choice for small to moderately sized homes, allowing you to run the basic necessities in your home during an outage.
- 26kW: Best for larger North Bend homes, enabling you to power multiple systems or high-wattage appliances like central air conditioning or other larger appliances.
It’s important to consider the specific needs of your household. Here’s a general wattage guide for some common appliances:
- Refrigerator: 1,200 watts
- Lighting: 1,000 watts (estimate based on your needs)
- Television: 300 watts
- Furnace (depending on type and size): can vary greatly, consult your appliance manual
- Well pump (if applicable): can vary, check your pump’s specifications
Using these figures can help you estimate the required generator size for your North Bend home, especially when preparing for potential winter storms in the Cascade foothills. Washington Generators has a great standby generator sizer tool available to view potential generator options based on your power needs.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Generator in North Bend
Power outages in North Bend and the Snoqualmie Valley can range from inconvenient to dangerous, particularly during winter. Whole-home generators provide peace of mind, ensuring your home remains powered and safe during extended outages. Selecting the correct generator size is critical to ensure it meets your family’s needs without being overloaded or insufficient.
Our local, professional, Generac certified technicians and team can help guide you through the process of selecting, installing, and maintaining the ideal generator for your home. Our in home energy consultants can assess your specific needs and recommend the appropriate generator size and features to keep you prepared for the next power outage. Contact Washington Generators to learn more about generator solutions and how to stay powered up in the Snoqualmie Valley.