Anyone who lives in Saskatchewan is aware of

the potential of major storms & power outages.

While many of these threats pass by without

incident, in recent years we have seen several

area storms which have knocked out power in

Northern Saskatchewan,leaving residents in the

dark & without air conditioning – for weeks at

a time. While severe storms can catch us by

surprise, the path of storms are broadcast for

weeks prior to their arrival.This lead time allows

for preparation and planning for area residents.

However, when it comes to keeping the power

on, many people still roll the dice & hope they

escape the brunt of the storm.

Where to Find a Generator

After the Storm

Where can you find a generator after a storm?

The simple answer is, you probably cannot.

Here are the main reasons why

relying on an “after the fact “ strategy

will not work when it comes to obtaining a

backup power generator when you find yourself

without electricity.

Inventory

The most obvious reason that you m

ay not get your hands on a generator is simply

lack of inventory. Although local retailers and 

electrical services companies may keep several

portable generators in stock, those are claimed

rather quickly when a storm is bearing

down on the area.

power; residents lost power. Relying on

obtaining a generator along with

hundreds of thousands of other people who

find themselves without power

is most likely a losing proposition.

Gas Availability

In the days leading up to…,

we saw incredible footage of people fleeing

the state – clogging highways and resulting

in traffic coming to a complete standstill.

Many people ran out of gas on the road.

Unfortunately, they had no recourse, as gas

stations themselves also

ran out of fuel. There were many stories of

people sleeping in the cars

in line at the gas station, waiting for fuel to

arrive. If you are hoping to run your air

conditioning unit, refrigerator, and lighting on

a portable generator, you will need sufficient

gas.

This means if you do not have it ahead of time,

you may not be able to run the generator for

long – even if you have it.

Expert Electrical Assistance

Any process or wiring involving your electrical

panel should be overseen and performed by

a licensed and insured electrician. Simply

plugging a portable generator into

your panels may work in the short term,

but may cause major damage in the long run.

For instance, residents have experienced

power surges when services were returned

suddenly. These surges have damaged

appliances, blown fuses, and even caused

transformer failure, affecting the entire

neighbourhood. Even if you are successful

in obtaining a generator & gas, improper

installation may cause issues.

Unfortunately, qualified electricians

and generator installers are quite busy with

current customers at these times, & are

unlikely to have time to assist.

In the absence of portable generators, many

homeowners wonder if they can purchase

a residential generator which can be installed at

their residence. After all, storms come every

year & installing a permanent generator seems

like a viable option. However, installing a

permanent generator actually takes

approximately 4-6 weeks, and therefore

is not a solution to the immediate power

problem. The news is not all bad, however.

Call Saunders Electric today, before the storm

hits, to speak with us about purchasing either

a portable generator or to have a residential

generator installed. We can answer any

questions you may have, make professional

recommendations based on your needs,

& even discuss financing options.

Saunders Electric wants you to have

peace of mind as the storm approaches,

knowing that you have the capability to keep

your home and family protected.