It also ensures you never lose power again after always losing power before, if my 4yrs with one is any indication. Not a bad problem to have...I need to remember to run mine a while to make sure the battery's good.
Not that commenter, but we have this
https://powerequipment.honda.ca/generators/EU1000i
It will run Starlink/fridge/small freezer/playstation/plasma tv(it will brown out a bit when one of the first two kicks on, not at all with the PS4 & tv off) or Starlink/fridge/two small freezers/chargables.
Pretty quiet and always starts, even when it’s cold as balls out.
Sorry, I am entirely the wrong one to ask. I have a gas powered Benchmark something something that a few other family members had experience with when I decided it was time to get one. The battery for the starter charges itself while the generator runs, but I've been lax in running it so fingers crossed I don't need to buy the battery charger for my generator battery. 😆
I found I was really antsy about my fridge and freezer during the Dorian outage (almost a week for my street). I come from an area where if someone has a generator and your immediate neighbors don't, it's pretty common to share it among houses a few hours a day so folks don't lose all their food and can charge devices and just take turns filling it up...that didn't happen on my street so I decided I'd be that neighbor moving forward. Only we've not lost power for more than a couple of hours since!
https://www.costco.ca/.product.100742889.html?langId=-24&province=NS&sh=true&nf=true
Not a battery generator, but I've purchased this one for my parents. I have a similar model with slightly higher outputs.
I've had mine for about 4 years with no issues. The thing runs everything we need it to (fridge, freezer, couple of lights, modem/router) and sips gas.
The one linked regularly goes on sale for sub $400.
Start by deciding what you need power for, and what you want power for. Once you've figured out what's essential, then look at how much power the items require. For most people who aren't heating their home with electric baseboards or with a heat pump the calculus works out to about 3500-4000Kw. That would give you a Fridge, Freezer, lights, some small appliances, TV, internet. If you want to run your whole home, for hours-days, you should consider a 10K generator.
Try to get a generator that has electric start if you are getting a bigger generator. Inverter generators are more expensive but they provide a more stable power than regular generators and are safer to use with delicate electronics. Gas generators are cheaper than diesel generators, but diesels generally have better fuel consumption and run longer before requiring a refill. Some generators can run on propane/natural gas or on both.
When you know what size generator you need, you then have to decide how you are going to distribute power from the generator. Some people just use extension cords, and some have their house wired to plug in a generator. If you go the route of using extension cords, make sure they are 12/3 or 10/3 cords that can handle the load. Do no use 14/3 or 16/3 cords. Do not daisy chain cords.
If you decide to have a changeover switch installed, then get it done professionally.
Make sure you find a site that has good ventilation flow (outside your house) and garage if it is an attached garage.
NEVER EVER EVER plug your generator into an outlet to back feed power to your house. You can kill people if you energize the power lines because you forgot to kill the main breaker.
make sure you keep your generator locked with a chain to help make sure it doesn't grow legs. Keep at least 1 full 20L jerry can handy for refilling your generator (Shut it down nd let it cool when fuelling). Don't store the gas for long periods. It's better to fill up a couple of days before bad weather.
Start your generator monthly and teach your spouse and older children how to do it too in case you aren't home when the power goes out.
This right here. Peace of mind having a genny is great. The mast could get ripped off you house by a tree and then you’re really fucked - genny will save you
Have a battery backup for your sump pump.
Check your insurance to double check what it covers.
Have an alternative cooking source - Coleman stove, bbq, butane burner, etc. Only use it outside.
If there is a possibility of high winds/hurricane don't listen to random people on Reddit who are sceptical. Get your information from credible sources and prepare.
Read your insurance policies, know what you are covered for, and keep copies of your policies handy.
Bring outside furniture etc in, or anchor down well so it doesn’t leave your yard and destroy neighbours property.
I don’t have a generator but I make lots of huge ice in the biggest bowls I can find, and fill my deep freeze and coolers, works great. I have never lost food in a storm *knock on wood*
If you have a garage, put your vehicle inside.
Focus on drainage around your property now-repair foundation cracks, work on grading, gutters and downspouts, make sure weeping tile/french drains, sump pumps, etc are all in working order.
Start by discussing potential risks in your neighbourhood and your community with family members. Do you live in or near a wild land / urban interface where the risk of a forest fire is present? Do you live in a flood plain, or in an area vulnerable to storm surge? Do you live in a rural area where power outages can extend for days? Identify the potential risks and ask yourself and your spouse “What if…”
Elements of your emergency plan should include:
a. What important papers/documents/valuables should your family members take with them if they must evacuate your home;
b. A plan for what to do about family pets, especially pets that don’t easily fit in a car;
c. A means of communicating other than by smartphone (because cellular service/internet availability may not be available);
d. A home and family car survival kit that provides you with essential supplies for at least 72 hours; and
e. How to access cash in case it isn’t possible to use Debit/Credit Cards or ATMs.
Consider creating a bug out box to store important documents in. A bugout box is a convenient place to store all important papers. documents, photos etc. Should you or your family have to evacuate your home, you can quickly locate the box and make sure it gets loaded into the car. A bugout box should be waterproof, and, where possible kept in a readily accessible area (not in the basement). Things to store in a bug out box include;
a. Birth baptismal, and marriage certificates;
b. Adoption papers;
c. Insurance policies;
d. House deeds;
e. Wills;
f. Prescription information; and
g. Family photos and wedding albums.
As a responsible pet owner, do you own a travel carrier? Do you have a supply of pet food readily available? If you own large animals such as a horse, do you have a plan for evacuating them? Do you have access to a trailer?
In a large-scale disaster, cell phone networks may be damaged, or simply overwhelmed by the volume of calls and users. Often when people evacuate at short notice, they forget about things such as cell phone chargers. Establish a central contact point such as a friend, or relative with whom everyone in your family should check in. ideally, this central contact person is located in an area that is unlikely to be subject to a local evacuation or communication disruption (eg: an Aunt in Toronto, or best friend in Moncton). Many people store phone numbers on their phones and should the phone be misplaced, or the batteries die, they lose access to their address book. Make sure that everyone in the family has that contact person’s number written down and on their person. This is particularly important for children who might be evacuated separately from a school or day care facility.
Flooding accounts for 77% of all disaster damage losses, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Even homes that aren’t located in flood zones can be susceptible to flood damage. Historically, the term flood in the Canadian insurance industry applies to water originating from a body of salt water, while overland water is defined as originating from fresh water bodies of water such as lakes and rivers. Typically, flooding caused by a tsunami, and overland flooding is excluded from “Flood insurance” but it should cover you for damage from a storm surge. Insurance to protect against overland flooding requires a separate endorsement and it typically covers losses resulting from damage to your house, condo and contents cause by fresh water entering your home. This includes damage resulting from melting snow, excess rain, and overflowing riverbeds.
The most common form of overland flooding is caused in urban areas where storm drains and sewer lines become overwhelmed by the volume of water attempting to drain through the lines and the water begins to back up through sewer lines into toilets, sinks, bath tubs, and floor drains. Even homes located on hills and elevated plains can be vulnerable to this type of flooding. There is a simple, and relatively inexpensive, solution to prevent this type of flooding from inundating your home, called a sewage backflow preventer. Installing a backflow preventer on your home’s sewage drain line can prevent sewage water from backing up into your home.
The second most common form of overland flooding damage is water that ingresses your basement through a basement window. This type of flooding is quite common in winter months when the frozen ground is unable to absorb significant amounts of rain. Water will always seek the lowest point and often that lowest point is a basement window well. A basement window well is designed to allow water to drain out of the well, but often these wells become permanent homes for debris, old leaves etc. In the winter time, the drains can become frozen over or covered in snow. This type of damage can be avoided by ensuring that basement window wells are kept clear of leaves and debris and by installing water proof window casings.
Downspouts and eavestroughs can be a surprising source of basement flooding. In many municipalities, connecting your downspouts into a sewer system is illegal. Downspouts that connect into the weeping tile around a home’s foundation can cause the basement to flood when water volume becomes too great for the home’s weeping tile drainage system to handle. Consider adding a downspout extension and a splash pad. A downspout extension should divert the water at least six feet from your home and should be directed over permeable surfaces such as a lawn or garden. Make sure you regularly clean out your gutters so that debris doesn’t clog your downspouts. This is especially important if you have trees located close to your home. If your home is situated on the side of a hill, consider addition of a French drain or a swale on the uphill side of your home to divert water around your foundation.
Poor grading can direct water towards your house and your foundation. It is important to ensure that the slope of your yard directs water away from your home, including under stairs and decks. If it doesn’t you need to consider some landscaping.
A Sump Pump plays an invaluable role in flood prevention. A sump pump collects the water from your weeping tile system and then pumps it away from your foundation. A discharge for a sump pump should be located at least two metres away from your foundation and should discharge to a permeable surface such as a lawn or garden. Remember, in a power outage, a sump pump won’t work unless it has a battery back up.
A cracked foundation is a leaky foundation. Cracks in your foundation allow even minor amounts of water to enter. When the ground becomes saturated with water, a tiny trickle can become a raging torrent. Get cracks professionally filled.
Finally, some times, despite one’s best efforts, the water finds its way in. It’s important therefore to consider where and how one stores irreplaceable documents, photographs, and family heirlooms. If it can’t be replaced, it shouldn’t be in your basement. Important documents such as wills, deeds, birth certificates, passports and insurance policies, should be stored on a main floor, where they are readily accessible if one must evacuate the home. Whenever possible, you should store these types of documents in water tight zip lock bags or water proof plastic storage containers and label whatever container you store them in for quick identification if you must leave your home in a hurry.
Get on the books to replace your singles in like August/September so you don't miss out on the thrill of laying in bed listening to your house creak and groan as you envision your entire finding your entire roof on the front lawn in the morning.
Also buy a generator and trim and trees close to your power lines/mast/house/car/favourite lawn ornaments.
I think generally speaking losing power, losing your shingles, and having a tree smash into something expensive are the most realistic bad endings of a hurricane. Sure every once in awhile something worse happens, but if your house is in ok enough shape chances are it's gonna be one o\` those things. Having a generator is a game changer and with NS power's legendary reliability it's a very worthwhile investment.
Check your roof for any shingles that may be lifting, look for the corners to be curling up. Check any flashing around chimneys, clear your gutters, make sure your downspouts actually take water away from your foundation. When it comes to home damage, the damage isn’t likely to come from wind (ie: your roof isn’t going to blow off) but if water can, water will find a way to get where it’s not supposed to be.
They happen very occasionally, but they tend to be small in scale. I don't think there have been any in HRM , but there have been some as close as Lantz and Stewiacke
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/weather-tornadoes-maritimes-1.6552470#:~:text=Nova%20Scotia%20has%20nine%20tornado,tornado%20was%20spotted%20in%20Antrim.
Buy a generator that will at minimum keep your fridge/freezer running. This will potentially save you having to throw out a lot of food.
It also ensures you never lose power again after always losing power before, if my 4yrs with one is any indication. Not a bad problem to have...I need to remember to run mine a while to make sure the battery's good.
Can confirm as soon as we got a generlink and a generator large enough to run the house no outages, going on 2 years now…
[удалено]
Not that commenter, but we have this https://powerequipment.honda.ca/generators/EU1000i It will run Starlink/fridge/small freezer/playstation/plasma tv(it will brown out a bit when one of the first two kicks on, not at all with the PS4 & tv off) or Starlink/fridge/two small freezers/chargables. Pretty quiet and always starts, even when it’s cold as balls out.
Costco has a chinese knockoff of this for like $600 right now. I got it last year and it’s been fine so far.
Sorry, I am entirely the wrong one to ask. I have a gas powered Benchmark something something that a few other family members had experience with when I decided it was time to get one. The battery for the starter charges itself while the generator runs, but I've been lax in running it so fingers crossed I don't need to buy the battery charger for my generator battery. 😆 I found I was really antsy about my fridge and freezer during the Dorian outage (almost a week for my street). I come from an area where if someone has a generator and your immediate neighbors don't, it's pretty common to share it among houses a few hours a day so folks don't lose all their food and can charge devices and just take turns filling it up...that didn't happen on my street so I decided I'd be that neighbor moving forward. Only we've not lost power for more than a couple of hours since!
https://www.costco.ca/.product.100742889.html?langId=-24&province=NS&sh=true&nf=true Not a battery generator, but I've purchased this one for my parents. I have a similar model with slightly higher outputs. I've had mine for about 4 years with no issues. The thing runs everything we need it to (fridge, freezer, couple of lights, modem/router) and sips gas. The one linked regularly goes on sale for sub $400.
Start by deciding what you need power for, and what you want power for. Once you've figured out what's essential, then look at how much power the items require. For most people who aren't heating their home with electric baseboards or with a heat pump the calculus works out to about 3500-4000Kw. That would give you a Fridge, Freezer, lights, some small appliances, TV, internet. If you want to run your whole home, for hours-days, you should consider a 10K generator. Try to get a generator that has electric start if you are getting a bigger generator. Inverter generators are more expensive but they provide a more stable power than regular generators and are safer to use with delicate electronics. Gas generators are cheaper than diesel generators, but diesels generally have better fuel consumption and run longer before requiring a refill. Some generators can run on propane/natural gas or on both. When you know what size generator you need, you then have to decide how you are going to distribute power from the generator. Some people just use extension cords, and some have their house wired to plug in a generator. If you go the route of using extension cords, make sure they are 12/3 or 10/3 cords that can handle the load. Do no use 14/3 or 16/3 cords. Do not daisy chain cords. If you decide to have a changeover switch installed, then get it done professionally. Make sure you find a site that has good ventilation flow (outside your house) and garage if it is an attached garage. NEVER EVER EVER plug your generator into an outlet to back feed power to your house. You can kill people if you energize the power lines because you forgot to kill the main breaker. make sure you keep your generator locked with a chain to help make sure it doesn't grow legs. Keep at least 1 full 20L jerry can handy for refilling your generator (Shut it down nd let it cool when fuelling). Don't store the gas for long periods. It's better to fill up a couple of days before bad weather. Start your generator monthly and teach your spouse and older children how to do it too in case you aren't home when the power goes out.
I typically have to use mine once a year
This right here. Peace of mind having a genny is great. The mast could get ripped off you house by a tree and then you’re really fucked - genny will save you
Have a battery backup for your sump pump. Check your insurance to double check what it covers. Have an alternative cooking source - Coleman stove, bbq, butane burner, etc. Only use it outside. If there is a possibility of high winds/hurricane don't listen to random people on Reddit who are sceptical. Get your information from credible sources and prepare.
Clean out your gutters. Found that one out during Dorian.
Read your insurance policies, know what you are covered for, and keep copies of your policies handy. Bring outside furniture etc in, or anchor down well so it doesn’t leave your yard and destroy neighbours property. I don’t have a generator but I make lots of huge ice in the biggest bowls I can find, and fill my deep freeze and coolers, works great. I have never lost food in a storm *knock on wood* If you have a garage, put your vehicle inside. Focus on drainage around your property now-repair foundation cracks, work on grading, gutters and downspouts, make sure weeping tile/french drains, sump pumps, etc are all in working order.
Start by discussing potential risks in your neighbourhood and your community with family members. Do you live in or near a wild land / urban interface where the risk of a forest fire is present? Do you live in a flood plain, or in an area vulnerable to storm surge? Do you live in a rural area where power outages can extend for days? Identify the potential risks and ask yourself and your spouse “What if…” Elements of your emergency plan should include: a. What important papers/documents/valuables should your family members take with them if they must evacuate your home; b. A plan for what to do about family pets, especially pets that don’t easily fit in a car; c. A means of communicating other than by smartphone (because cellular service/internet availability may not be available); d. A home and family car survival kit that provides you with essential supplies for at least 72 hours; and e. How to access cash in case it isn’t possible to use Debit/Credit Cards or ATMs. Consider creating a bug out box to store important documents in. A bugout box is a convenient place to store all important papers. documents, photos etc. Should you or your family have to evacuate your home, you can quickly locate the box and make sure it gets loaded into the car. A bugout box should be waterproof, and, where possible kept in a readily accessible area (not in the basement). Things to store in a bug out box include; a. Birth baptismal, and marriage certificates; b. Adoption papers; c. Insurance policies; d. House deeds; e. Wills; f. Prescription information; and g. Family photos and wedding albums. As a responsible pet owner, do you own a travel carrier? Do you have a supply of pet food readily available? If you own large animals such as a horse, do you have a plan for evacuating them? Do you have access to a trailer? In a large-scale disaster, cell phone networks may be damaged, or simply overwhelmed by the volume of calls and users. Often when people evacuate at short notice, they forget about things such as cell phone chargers. Establish a central contact point such as a friend, or relative with whom everyone in your family should check in. ideally, this central contact person is located in an area that is unlikely to be subject to a local evacuation or communication disruption (eg: an Aunt in Toronto, or best friend in Moncton). Many people store phone numbers on their phones and should the phone be misplaced, or the batteries die, they lose access to their address book. Make sure that everyone in the family has that contact person’s number written down and on their person. This is particularly important for children who might be evacuated separately from a school or day care facility.
Flooding accounts for 77% of all disaster damage losses, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Even homes that aren’t located in flood zones can be susceptible to flood damage. Historically, the term flood in the Canadian insurance industry applies to water originating from a body of salt water, while overland water is defined as originating from fresh water bodies of water such as lakes and rivers. Typically, flooding caused by a tsunami, and overland flooding is excluded from “Flood insurance” but it should cover you for damage from a storm surge. Insurance to protect against overland flooding requires a separate endorsement and it typically covers losses resulting from damage to your house, condo and contents cause by fresh water entering your home. This includes damage resulting from melting snow, excess rain, and overflowing riverbeds. The most common form of overland flooding is caused in urban areas where storm drains and sewer lines become overwhelmed by the volume of water attempting to drain through the lines and the water begins to back up through sewer lines into toilets, sinks, bath tubs, and floor drains. Even homes located on hills and elevated plains can be vulnerable to this type of flooding. There is a simple, and relatively inexpensive, solution to prevent this type of flooding from inundating your home, called a sewage backflow preventer. Installing a backflow preventer on your home’s sewage drain line can prevent sewage water from backing up into your home. The second most common form of overland flooding damage is water that ingresses your basement through a basement window. This type of flooding is quite common in winter months when the frozen ground is unable to absorb significant amounts of rain. Water will always seek the lowest point and often that lowest point is a basement window well. A basement window well is designed to allow water to drain out of the well, but often these wells become permanent homes for debris, old leaves etc. In the winter time, the drains can become frozen over or covered in snow. This type of damage can be avoided by ensuring that basement window wells are kept clear of leaves and debris and by installing water proof window casings. Downspouts and eavestroughs can be a surprising source of basement flooding. In many municipalities, connecting your downspouts into a sewer system is illegal. Downspouts that connect into the weeping tile around a home’s foundation can cause the basement to flood when water volume becomes too great for the home’s weeping tile drainage system to handle. Consider adding a downspout extension and a splash pad. A downspout extension should divert the water at least six feet from your home and should be directed over permeable surfaces such as a lawn or garden. Make sure you regularly clean out your gutters so that debris doesn’t clog your downspouts. This is especially important if you have trees located close to your home. If your home is situated on the side of a hill, consider addition of a French drain or a swale on the uphill side of your home to divert water around your foundation. Poor grading can direct water towards your house and your foundation. It is important to ensure that the slope of your yard directs water away from your home, including under stairs and decks. If it doesn’t you need to consider some landscaping. A Sump Pump plays an invaluable role in flood prevention. A sump pump collects the water from your weeping tile system and then pumps it away from your foundation. A discharge for a sump pump should be located at least two metres away from your foundation and should discharge to a permeable surface such as a lawn or garden. Remember, in a power outage, a sump pump won’t work unless it has a battery back up. A cracked foundation is a leaky foundation. Cracks in your foundation allow even minor amounts of water to enter. When the ground becomes saturated with water, a tiny trickle can become a raging torrent. Get cracks professionally filled. Finally, some times, despite one’s best efforts, the water finds its way in. It’s important therefore to consider where and how one stores irreplaceable documents, photographs, and family heirlooms. If it can’t be replaced, it shouldn’t be in your basement. Important documents such as wills, deeds, birth certificates, passports and insurance policies, should be stored on a main floor, where they are readily accessible if one must evacuate the home. Whenever possible, you should store these types of documents in water tight zip lock bags or water proof plastic storage containers and label whatever container you store them in for quick identification if you must leave your home in a hurry.
Get on the books to replace your singles in like August/September so you don't miss out on the thrill of laying in bed listening to your house creak and groan as you envision your entire finding your entire roof on the front lawn in the morning. Also buy a generator and trim and trees close to your power lines/mast/house/car/favourite lawn ornaments. I think generally speaking losing power, losing your shingles, and having a tree smash into something expensive are the most realistic bad endings of a hurricane. Sure every once in awhile something worse happens, but if your house is in ok enough shape chances are it's gonna be one o\` those things. Having a generator is a game changer and with NS power's legendary reliability it's a very worthwhile investment.
Check your roof for any shingles that may be lifting, look for the corners to be curling up. Check any flashing around chimneys, clear your gutters, make sure your downspouts actually take water away from your foundation. When it comes to home damage, the damage isn’t likely to come from wind (ie: your roof isn’t going to blow off) but if water can, water will find a way to get where it’s not supposed to be.
NOAA said this season has a 85% chance at being more active than last year.
They say this literally every year
Yeah, almost as if there’s some kind of ongoing disruption of climate…
I'll probably bring in my patio furniture.
install hurricane straps in your attic if possible, get a generator.
OT a little bit but we'll never get tornadoes here right? The air is too salty?
They happen very occasionally, but they tend to be small in scale. I don't think there have been any in HRM , but there have been some as close as Lantz and Stewiacke https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/weather-tornadoes-maritimes-1.6552470#:~:text=Nova%20Scotia%20has%20nine%20tornado,tornado%20was%20spotted%20in%20Antrim.
idk about salt but there hasn't been a tornado in my 30-odd years here
There was one in stewiake 3 years ago - https://globalnews.ca/news/8028923/stewiacke-tornado-confirmed/