A power outage can be a major inconvenience for individuals, but it can be devastating for businesses. In fact, in a recent survey, 81% of the respondents said that blackouts cost their business about $300,000 an hour. Extrapolate that to an entire day, and we’re talking about millions going down the drain.
Thankfully, businesses don’t have to contend with the devastating consequences of power outages. They can sidestep power outages with a power backup that ensures business continuity and minimize losses. However, since these power backup sources are expensive, business owners are usually torn about whether they’re a worthwhile investment.
If you’re still on the fence about backing up your company’s electricity, we’re here to help you make the right choice. In today’s post, we’ll highlight a few reasons you should get power backup for your business.
To Power Your Lights and Security System
A power outage presents the perfect opportunity for crooks to infiltrate your business premises. Without lights and a security system, it’s easy for burglars to break in and take off with your valuables. Even if you have insurance, it’s not worth the hassle and potential danger to your employees.
A power backup lets you power your lights and security system to deter criminals from targeting your business during a power outage. In addition to that, power backup will also allow you to keep an eye on your inventory, which is essential for businesses with high-value items.
To Save Electronic Data
In the digital age, most businesses save their documents and files in digital format on their computers. A sudden blackout could wipe out important data that you may not have saved. This translates to a ton of problems down the line, including issues with customers and vendors.
While you can always back up your data on external hard drives, they’re still susceptible to power surges. The best way to protect your electronic data is to invest in a backup system for your power. That way, you can rest assured that your data will be safe even if the power goes out.
To Keep Customers and Employees Comfortable
Power outages can be a major inconvenience for brick-and-mortar businesses that remain open during blackouts. Without electricity to power your AC, customers, and employees will be baking during the hot season. This can lead to a whole host of problems, from disgruntled customers to decreased employee productivity.
What’s more, some customers hate using the stairs. This means when the elevator doesn’t work, you can forget about them buying from your business. A power backup ensures you don’t inconvenience your customers or employees.
To Refrigerate Food
A prolonged blackout can be especially devastating to those in the food and restaurant business. Without electricity for the refrigerator, all the food that requires refrigeration will go bad. This translates to massive losses or negative reviews when you risk serving food that’s even mildly gone bad.
With power backup, you can keep your refrigerators up and running to avoid such disasters. Not to mention, you’ll also be able to power other kitchen appliances like ovens and microwaves. This will come in handy when the power goes out in the middle of the lunch or dinner rush.
To Keep Water Levels in Check
The sump and sewage pump are critical installations that help monitor water levels. Without these two, there’s a high chance that your building could flood. The same goes for when there’s no electricity to power these pumps.
An electricity backup system will ensure the sump or sewage pump works to keep water levels in check. The last thing you want is your customers walking into pools of water. With a backup for electricity, this is something you won’t have to worry about.
Types of Generators for Power Backups
The most sure-fire way to back up your business’s electricity is by using a generator. However, with so many types of generators, how do you choose the right one? Let’s look at the types of generators to help you figure out the best one for your needs.
Portable Generators
A portable generator is a small unit that you can easily move around. They’re ideal for power outages that last only a few hours because they don’t have the capacity to power large appliances. That being said, they’re perfect for powering lights and smaller electronics like computers and kitchen appliances.
One thing to note about portable generators is that they require gas or propane to run. This means you’ll need to keep fuel on hand, which can be dangerous in the event of a gas leak.
Diesel Generators
Diesel generators are a type of standby generator that uses diesel fuel. They’re perfect for businesses that require a large amount of power as they can power multiple appliances at once. Not to mention, they have a longer runtime than gas generators.
They’re great for the outdoors, and you can even winterize diesel generator to use during the freezing winters. The only downside to diesel generators is that they’re more expensive than other types of generators. Despite that, it still makes a great commercial generator.
Solar Generators
A solar generator is a type of backup power system that uses solar panels to convert sunlight into electricity and store it in a battery. They’re environmentally friendly and can be used indoors or outdoors.
Solar generators are perfect for environmentally-conscious businesses. They allow businesses to operate despite power outages with zero environmental damage.
Inverter Generators
An inverter generator is a type of portable generator that uses an inverter to power electronics. They’re ideal for businesses that require power for sensitive equipment like computers and servers. Inverter generators are less noisy than other types of generators, making them perfect for businesses where silence is critical.
Power Backup Is a Must-Have for Businesses
Hopefully, you have enough reasons to get a power backup for your business. If you’re committed to taking your business to greater heights, then a power backup system is mandatory. Explore the different types of generators and pick one that fits your fancy and forget about losing money during blackouts.
For more informative content, be sure to check out the other posts on the site.
Wayne Probert is a senior reporter at Zobuz, covering state and national politics, and he is a grantee with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Before joining Zobuz, he worked as a freelance journalist in Kentucky, having been published by dozens of outlets including NPR, the Center for Media.
