Blog Post
Fun Things to Do When the Power Goes Out
So it’s been storming for a while, when suddenly—boom!—the house goes dark. Your power is out. What can you do while you’re waiting for power to be restored? Here are ten ideas for the next time you’re in the dark.
1. Play a Game – Board games, charades, hangman, tic-tac-toe… any game can be an a fun bonding experience with family and friends while the power is out. Ever ehard of the game “So There I Was”? Have each person write down at least one life event on a piece of paper. Place all the pieces in a hat or bowl. Pass the bowl around and have everyone draw one piece of paper. Then take turns telling stories. For example, “So There I Was…the Day of Graduation.” It’s a great way to get to hear stories about friends and family you might not know otherwise!
2. Read A Book – It’s simple, fun, and good for your brain! Using a flashlight, lantern, or just sitting by the window (if there’s enough light) to read a book can be a relaxing way to spend some time away from electronics. There are also book lights you can buy that clip onto your book for reading anytime, in any lighting.
3. Write a Letter – Older family members might appreciate a handwritten letter. It can also be a way to express important feelings or serve as a great tangible memory. Letters are sentimental and sometimes better than an email or text.
4. Eat all the Ice Cream and Popsicles – You don’t want them to go bad, so treat yourselves and eat them up!
5. Take a Nap – When the power is out, it is a great time to catch up on sleep.
6. Stargaze – If the storm is over and your power is out at night, take some time to check out stars and constellations when there’s less light pollution.
7. Come up with new recipes/meal ideas – Get talking about everyone’s favorite topic, food! Share what you’ve been craving for dinner and come up with new family recipes. Or, dig up an old cookbook or recipe cards and pick out some favorites to make after the power outage.
READY TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON DURING THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE?
Consider a Generac home backup generator. When you have the ultimate source for backup power, you’ll never go through a utility outage in the dark again. Your permanently installed unit will restore power within seconds. Check out our products to learn more.
What To-Do and NOT To-Do in a Power Outage
You may not think about how much you depend on electricity until it is gone. So much of our modern life utilizes computers, TVs, game consoles, home appliances (most importantly refrigerators!), lights, and phones – which all require electricity. When they are gone, it can be unsettling and potentially dangerous. The following tips are the best things to do when a power outage strikes in our area.
DO:
Stock up on Water
On average, each person will need about one gallon of water per day to drink. If possible, get enough water to last a whole week; in the event of a natural disaster such as a hurricane, water treatment facilities can be offline or distribution systems can be damaged for several days. You may even want to get extra water for personal hygiene use.
Keep a Light On
By keeping a light on you will easily know when the power comes back on.
Turn faucets on
If we have a cold winter, you may need to think about the low temperature freezing your pipes. A good way to prevent freezing the cold is to turn your faucets on to a trickle.
Keep Away from Downed Power Lines
Always stay away from downed power lines.
DO NOT:
Don’t Light Candles
Candles can be a fire hazard and are not a strong source of light. Using a lantern for light instead is safer and more effective.
Don’t Let Your Phone Die
Save battery life in the event that your power is out for an extended period. Turn off your phone, and save it for emergencies.
Don’t Keep Electronics Plugged in
When power returns, it can cause a power surge that can damage electronics. Unplug your electronics or invest in surge protectors to prevent this from happening. Automatic standby generators can come with a whole-house surge protector.
Don’t Open the Fridge
Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed. That way they can keep food colder for longer. A full freezer helps keep things insulated; each item inside it acts like an ice pack. If you suspect a power outage is likely to happen, you can fill water bottles with water and place them inside to create insolation for the food inside.
Don’t Put a Generator in your Garage
If you own a portable generator, do not ever run it inside your garage – even with the door open, ever. When the generator is running, it puts out a colorless and odorless lethal gas. Never run a generator inside of an enclosed space.
Don’t Backfeed your Generator
If you hook up your generator to your house incorrectly, it can backfeed into the power grid. When backfeeding into the grid, your generator can deliver a lethal amount of electricity to any workers that are trying to fix the situation.
With an automatic home standby generator, the majority of the above do’s and don’ts become non-issues. When an outage is detected, your home generator turns on and delivers power when you need it. When utility power is restored, your generator turns off by itself. This option is safer and easier to use for everyone involved.
Generac to Incentivize Homeowners Who Plan Ahead with Extended Warranty
Generac (NYSE:GNRC) announced that it will offer a free 10-year extended warranty on the company’s Guardian-series home standby generators to homeowners who prepare ahead for all types of weather and non-weather related outages. Consumers must purchase by June 23 to take advantage of this offer.
Generac seeks to incentivize more homeowners to prepare for outages after some reports have shown many homeowners are completely unprepared for natural disasters, or the power outages that come with them. The free extended warranty, a $995 value, is intended to encourage homeowners to prioritize preparation.
“Every year, there are widespread power outages caused by storms and utility failures,” said Russ Minick, Generac chief marketing officer. “This year, we’re offering customers an incentive to plan ahead for those outages. By purchasing now, customers will get five additional years of warranty coverage. But more importantly, if they act quickly, it’s likely their generator can be installed in time for the height of the storm season.”
Home standby generators sense utility failure and turn on automatically in seconds to supply electricity to owners’ homes. “Home standby generators are a critical part of preparedness, but require planning to be installed ahead of storms,” said Minick.
Powered by natural gas or propane, home standby generators can provide power as long as there is fuel available during extended outages, and can power entire homes or specific circuits the owner selects. In areas affected by hurricanes, outages can last days or weeks, making a standby generator the best solution for long-term backup power.
or more information on Generac home standby generators or the full range of Generac backup power solutions, give us a call at 281-259-6500 or fill out the contact form on the right-side of this page!
READ MORE: http://investors.generac.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=232690&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2399029
Generac Celebrates 60 Years of Growth and Innovation
WAUKESHA, Wis., Jan. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — In 1959, with just five employees in a barn in Wales, Wis., Robert D. Kern began manufacturing generators based upon his own unique designs. Sixty years later, the company he founded — Generac Power Systems — is a leading, diversified global supplier of backup and prime power products. Today, Generac is officially kicking off a year of diamond anniversary celebrations.
“Bob Kern has been and continues to be an inspiration to us at Generac,” said Aaron Jagdfeld, president and CEO, Generac. “He has often remarked to me how the company has grown to exceed his wildest dreams. This year, we are proud to celebrate the foundation he built here in Waukesha, which has led to the bright future we see as innovators and market leaders in power generation and outdoor power equipment around the world.”
Those first generators enjoyed wide success via a partnership with a variety of retailers — a relationship that lasted several decades. Generac continued to innovate its portable generators, and in 1989, launched the first ever automatic home standby generator. It was a move that created a market segment — of which Generac remains the clear leader.
“Generac created the market for home standby generators,” Jagdfeld said, “and today seven out of every 10 home standby generators sold is a Generac. It’s an incredible legacy, and one we celebrate every day — not just during anniversary years. In fact, a few years ago, our one millionth home standby unit rolled off the assembly line. We’re proud to bring peace of mind to customers across the country — and around the world — from our home in Wisconsin.”
Generac’s product offerings have expanded over the years in response to customers’ growing expectations and evolving industry opportunities. Today, customers can look to Generac for commercial and industrial generators up to 2 MW; light towers and mobile generators serving rental as well as oil and gas markets; and chore products, such as trimmers, mowers and log splitters.
Generac will celebrate its 60th Anniversary with year-long commemorative events.
Read the full press release here: http://investors.generac.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=232690&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2383583
Acquisition of Neurio Accelerates Generac’s Connectivity Strategy
WAUKESHA, Wis., March 13, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Generac Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNRC), a global leader in the design and manufacture of a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial power products, announced today the signing and closing of a purchase agreement to acquire Neurio Technology Inc.
Neurio, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, is a leading energy data company focused on metering technology and sophisticated analytics to optimize energy use within a home or business. Neurio’s hardware and software solutions equip users with the intelligence to manage and control electrical loads, solar systems and batteries to optimize energy consumption and increase savings.
“The addition of Neurio’s data expertise, devices and advanced technologies will help us strengthen our home energy management capabilities and accelerate our efforts around connectivity and remote monitoring… all of which are critical parts of our “Powering Our Future” strategy,” said Russ Minick, Generac’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Customers using Neurio’s technology get real-time access to their power consumption data and have the ability to make informed decisions that allow them to save on their energy use.”
“The combination of Neurio’s intelligent energy management technology with Generac’s products, distribution, and market creation capabilities will create tremendous opportunities in how energy is used and managed in a home,” commented Keith Marett, CEO of Neurio. “We are excited about joining the Generac family to accelerate our efforts to bring these solutions to a broader market.”
About Generac (NYSE: GNRC)
Founded in 1959, Generac is a leading designer and manufacturer of a wide range of power generation equipment and other power products. As a leader in power equipment serving residential, light commercial and industrial markets, Generac’s power products are available globally through a broad network of independent dealers, distributors, retailers, wholesalers and equipment rental companies, as well as sold direct to certain end user customers.
About Neurio Technology Inc.
Neurio is a leading energy data company focused on developing fully-integrated software, hardware and data science elements to support energy monitoring and management. The company’s unique solutions provide customers with the ability to optimize energy consumption and reduce energy-related costs. For additional information, visit www.neur.io/.
Forward-looking Information
Certain statements contained in this news release, as well as other information provided from time to time by Generac Holdings Inc. or its employees, may contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements give Generac’s current expectations and projections relating to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “confident,” “may,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “future,” “optimistic” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. Any such forward looking statements are not guarantees of performance or results, and involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) and assumptions. Although Generac believes any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect Generac’s actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, including:
- frequency and duration of power outages impacting demand for our products;
- availability, cost and quality of raw materials and key components and labor needed in producing our products;
- the impact on our results of possible fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodities, product mix and regulatory tariffs;
- the possibility that the expected synergies, efficiencies and cost savings of our acquisitions will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period;
- the risk that our acquisitions will not be integrated successfully;
- difficulties we may encounter as our business expands globally;
- our dependence on our distribution network;
- our ability to invest in, develop or adapt to changing technologies and manufacturing techniques;
- loss of our key management and employees;
- increase in product and other liability claims or recalls;
- failures or security breaches of our networks or information technology systems; and
- changes in environmental, health and safety, or product compliance laws and regulations affecting our products or operations.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, Generac’s actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in any forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of these and other factors that may affect future results is contained in Generac’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), particularly in the Risk Factors section of the 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q. Stockholders, potential investors and other readers should consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by Generac in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Generac undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
Source: http://investors.generac.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=232690&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2391090
Generac Acquires Pika Energy, Enters Energy Storage Market
WAUKESHA, Wis., April 29, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Generac Holdings Inc. (NYSE: GNRC) (“Generac” or the “Company”), a global leader in the design and manufacture of a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial power products, announced today the Company has acquired Pika Energy, Inc., a manufacturer of innovative battery storage technologies that capture and store solar or grid power for homeowners and businesses.
“Pika’s integrated battery storage solutions are a crucial component in developing a comprehensive system to store and consume clean energy,” said Aaron Jagdfeld, Generac president and CEO. “The visionary ideas and technology that Pika has developed give us a considerable edge as we expand into the rapidly developing market for energy storage.”
Pika is an expert in developing advanced power electronics, software and controls for smart energy storage and management, and their integrated energy storage systems allow users to easily capture, store and use solar energy to reduce energy costs and minimize grid disruptions. The company is located in Westbrook, Maine and was founded in 2010.
“Generac is dedicated to providing people with innovative and forward-thinking solutions to power their homes and businesses,” said Ben Polito, Pika Energy CEO and co-founder. “Pika energy storage technology, combined with Generac’s distribution strength and demand creation capabilities, will make this solution immediately available to more users. We are thrilled to be a part of the Generac team.”
“Pika, now together with Generac and Neurio, a leading energy management technology company recently acquired by Generac, share a vision to develop groundbreaking technologies that modernize the way electricity is generated, stored, and used in homes,” said Jagdfeld. “By combining Generac’s expertise in power products; Neurio’s unprecedented insight into home energy use; and Pika’s expertise in battery storage, we can bring to market the first truly intelligent home energy management system.”
The acquisition closed on April 26. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
About Generac (NYSE: GNRC)
Founded in 1959, Generac is a leading designer and manufacturer of a wide range of power generation equipment and other power products. As a leader in power equipment serving residential, light commercial and industrial markets, Generac’s power products are available globally through a broad network of independent dealers, distributors, retailers, wholesalers and equipment rental companies, as well as sold direct to certain end user customers.
About Pika Energy
Pika Energy is a manufacturer of clean energy products including solar inverters, DC converters, and smart batteries. Their products enable homeowners and businesses to collect, store and self-consume energy from clean sources in a cost-effective, efficient and user-friendly way. Pika’s distribution partners share their mission in providing a clean, smart, renewable energy management system and can be found across North America and Puerto Rico.
Forward-looking Information
Certain statements contained in this news release, as well as other information provided from time to time by Generac Holdings Inc. or its employees, may contain forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements give Generac’s current expectations and projections relating to the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “confident,” “may,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “future,” “optimistic” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events.
Any such forward looking statements are not guarantees of performance or results, and involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the Company’s control) and assumptions. Although Generac believes any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, you should be aware that many factors could affect Generac’s actual financial results and cause them to differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, including:
- frequency and duration of power outages impacting demand for our products;
- availability, cost and quality of raw materials and key components and labor needed in producing our products;
- the impact on our results of possible fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodities, product mix and regulatory tariffs;
- the possibility that the expected synergies, efficiencies and cost savings of our acquisitions will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period;
- the risk that our acquisitions will not be integrated successfully;
- difficulties we may encounter as our business expands globally or into new markets;
- our dependence on our distribution network;
- our ability to invest in, develop or adapt to changing technologies and manufacturing techniques;
- loss of our key management and employees;
- increase in product and other liability claims or recalls;
- failures or security breaches of our networks or information technology systems; and
- changes in environmental, health and safety, or product compliance laws and regulations affecting our products or operations.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, Generac’s actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in any forward-looking statements. A detailed discussion of these and other factors that may affect future results is contained in Generac’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), particularly in the Risk Factors section of the 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K and in its periodic reports on Form 10-Q. Stockholders, potential investors and other readers should consider these factors carefully in evaluating the forward-looking statements.
Any forward-looking statement made by Generac in this press release speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Generac undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.
SOURCE: Generac Holdings Inc.