Homeowners are Urged to Consider Emergency Backup Power During National Preparedness Month

10-year commemoration of Hurricane Katrina serves as stark reminder about the importance of preparedness

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Sep 24, 2015, 08:01 ET

KOHLER, Wis., Sept. 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Homeowners are urged to prepare for severe weather events during National Preparedness Month, which kicked off September 1 and runs through the end of the month. This week focuses on power outage safety, so in addition to developing an emergency preparedness kit, evacuation route and communication plan, people are encouraged to consider backup power options in the event of a major power outage. Lengthy outages can pose significant disruptions to daily life and could result in costly damages to homeowners due to a lack of air conditioning or heating, access to safe food and water and flooded basements.

An automatic standby generator is permanently installed outside a home, similar to a central air conditioning unit, and runs on natural gas or propane using existing gas lines. When power is lost to the home, a standby generator automatically turns on - typically within 10 seconds - and can power all critical systems and appliances within the home. Homeowners do not need to be present to operate or refuel the generator.

"The number one issue people face in the aftermath of severe weather is the lack of power," said Lt. General Russel Honoré (Ret.), commander of Joint Task Force Katrina and head of the relief efforts along the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina ten years ago. "When you lose power, it sets our society back at least 100 years. It cuts off our communication, it inhibits our access to safe food and water, it impacts our comfort, and creates sanitation issues. The fastest way to recovery is when people have access to safe, reliable power."

According to a U.S. Department of Energy study (2013), severe weather resulted in 679 power outages impacting more than 50,000 people between 2003 and 2012. These power outages disrupted the lives of millions of Americans and are estimated to have cost the U.S. an annual average of $18 billion to $33 billion.

Before severe weather strikes, FEMA and Ready.gov encourage families to develop an emergency communication plan. That plan should include a disaster kit as well as emergency backup power to run critical systems and appliances in a home, including HVAC, refrigeration, lights, computers and more.

Homeowners have two main options when it comes to backup power – portable generators and automatic standby generators.

Portable generators are often the first option people consider when it comes to backup power. They are less expensive than automatic standby generators and are easy to move. Portable generators are designed to run a few key appliances and not an entire home. To operate, a portable generator must be positioned outside a home away from widows, doors and other openings to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Once in place, a homeowner must run properly rated extensions cords to the generator and must be present to manually operate and refuel the generator.

An automatic standby generator is permanently installed outside a home, similar to a central air conditioning unit, and runs on natural gas or propane using existing gas lines. When power is lost to the home, a standby generator automatically turns on – typically within 10 seconds – and can power all critical systems and appliances within the home. Homeowners do not need to be present to operate or refuel the generator.

Generator manufacturers like Kohler offer a wide variety of portable and standby generators to meet the individual needs and budgets of homeowners. To learn more about backup power options, sizing and costs, visit www.kohlergenerators.com. For more information about National Preparedness Month, visit www.ready.gov.

About Kohler Power Systems
Kohler Power Systems is a division of Kohler Co. and provides complete power systems, including generators (portable, residential, industrial, and marine), automatic transfer switches, switchgear, monitoring controls, and accessories for emergency, prime power and energy-management applications. Kohler Power Systems has delivered energy solutions for markets worldwide since 1920. For more information, visit www.kohlergenerators.com or www.facebook.com/kohlergenerators.

About Kohler Co.
Founded in 1873 and headquartered in Kohler, Wis., Kohler Co. is one of America's oldest and largest privately held companies comprised of more than 30,000 associates. With more than 50 manufacturing locations worldwide, Kohler is a global leader in the manufacture of kitchen and bath products; engines and power systems; premier furniture, cabinetry and tile; and owner/operator of two of the world's finest five-star hospitality and golf resort destinations in Kohler and St Andrews, Scotland. For more details, please visit kohler.com.

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SOURCE Kohler Co.