Calculating the Cost of a Power Outage: A Homeowner’s Guide
In a flash of lightning, your home loses power.
Now, the food in your fridge is at risk of spoiling, your sump pump is nothing but a decoration in your basement, and your home office is out of commission.
As hours turn into days, the food spoils, water soaks your new basement carpet, and work deadlines are missed.
You find yourself at a hotel, waiting it out.
This scenario isn't just inconvenient—it's costly.
Let's break down these costs and compare them to the ROI of having a Generac whole-home generator standing at the ready.
Breaking Down the Costs
Power Outage Potential for Pennsylvania & Delaware
With our business and own homes in West Grove, PA, we know how the weather in Pennslyvania and Delaware is something special.
From severe thunderstorms in the summer to heavy snowfall and ice storms in the winter, we’ve seen it all—and the power challenges it brings.
Frequency & Duration of Outages
In 2021, there were 63 reportable events of 2,500 Pennslyvania homes without power for at least 6 hours.
These outages can range from a mere few hours to several days, depending on the severity of the weather event.
The Real Cost of a Power Outage
Wasted Food
The moment your power flickers off, the countdown begins for your groceries.
According to the FDA, food in an unopened fridge is only deemed safe for about 4 hours, while a fully stocked freezer has a grace period of 48 hours.
The cost of spoilage isn't trivial—expect to shell out $100-$300 to replace perishables and frozen goods.
Approximate Cost: $100-$300+
Hotel Stays
When your home's comfort—or safety—is compromised, seeking refuge in a hotel might be the only option.
For a family, accommodations can run between $100-$200 per night, with a three-night stay reaching up to $600, not including meals and other incidental costs.
Approximate Cost: $150/night
Emergency Supplies
Being prepared for an outage requires an upfront investment in emergency supplies, including flashlights, batteries, and first-aid kits, which can total up to $100.
This cost, while seemingly minor, is an essential part of outage preparedness, ensuring safety and comfort during unexpected disruptions.
Approximate Cost: $25-$100
Floods
Your sump pump and surge protectors, often out of sight and out of mind, become critically important during a storm.
Without power, the risk of flooding skyrockets without a working sump pump, and the cost of repairs can cost up to a daunting $25,000 based on the extent of the damage.
Approximate Cost: $500-$25,000
Power Surges
If you don’t have a surge protector, the large flex of electricity when the power is restored can fry any electronics plugged into outlets, including computers, televisions, and phones.
Approximate Cost: $10-$2,000
Lost Productivity
For the home-based worker, an outage isn't just an inconvenience; it's a direct hit to your income.
The financial impact varies widely depending on your field and rate, but losing even a single day's work can translate to a significant loss in earnings.
Missing that deadline could push that project back weeks or months. Missing that meeting means reshuffling your team to make that deadline.
ROI of a Generac Whole-Home Generac Generator
When tallying up the potential losses from a power outage, the investment in a Generac standby generator, which can cost between $4,000 and $12,000+, starts to look like a wise financial decision.
Let's break down the return on this investment.
Immediate Savings
A single significant outage can validate a portion of a generator's cost upfront.
Combine the expenses of spoiled food, hotel stays, and the possibility of flood damage, and the savings provided by a Generac generator become immediately evident.
Long-Term Savings
Factoring in an average of one major outage per year, the potential savings over five years can significantly exceed the initial cost of a Generac generator, especially when considering the prevention of flooding damages.
This doesn't even account for the peace of mind and convenience provided during smaller, more frequent outages.
Added Home Value & Peace of Mind
The benefits of a Generac generator extend beyond mere numbers.
A home equipped with a reliable power backup is more attractive to potential buyers, potentially increasing your home's market value.
More importantly, a generator offers peace of mind, ensuring that your home remains safe and comfortable through all weather challenges.
Protect Your Wallet with a Generac Generator
Keep your food from spoiling in the fridge, and never worry about your basement flooding during a storm.
Invest in the peace of mind a Generac whole-home generator brings for your family.
FAQs
What factors contribute to the real cost of a power outage?
The real cost of a power outage includes not just immediate expenses such as spoiled food and hotel stays but also less obvious costs like emergency supplies, potential flooding damages, power surges, and lost productivity due to work disruptions.
How can a Generac whole-home generator save me money during a power outage?
A Generac whole-home generator can provide immediate savings by keeping essential home systems running, thus preventing food spoilage, avoiding hotel costs, and mitigating risks of flooding and power surges.
Additionally, it ensures that home-based work can continue uninterrupted.
How much can spoiled food and emergency hotel stays cost during an extended power outage?
Spoiled food can cost $100-$200 to replace, and emergency hotel stays can cost approximately $150 per night. For a family, a three-night hotel stay during an outage can reach up to $600, excluding meals and incidental expenses.
What are the costs associated with flooding and power surges during an outage?
The absence of a working sump pump during a storm can lead to flooding, with repair costs ranging from $500 to $25,000 based on damage extent.
Power surges upon electricity restoration can damage electronics, with potential replacement costs between $10 and $2,000.
How does investing in a Generac whole-home generator add value to my home?
Investing in a Generac generator not only offers immediate and long-term savings by preventing costs associated with power outages but also increases your home's marketability.
It provides added home value through enhanced safety and comfort, appealing to potential buyers looking for homes equipped to handle weather-related challenges.