Norwall Power Systems | Generators, Home Generators, Commercial Generators

Discover Gas Home Generators for Power Emergencies

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Norwall PowerSystems

Natural gas home generators are quickly becoming a necessity appliance for the house; power failures aren’t easy to predict and no one really knows when the next one will occur. There are many elements that require electricity such as your refrigerator and it is comforting to know that should you ever lose power, you’ve got a backup generator that will provide you with the necessary power. There are various types of gas home generators to choose from. The size of the generator, brand name, and various wattage’s are what makes them different. You will have the ability to power more rooms in your house if you choose a generator that produces a greater wattage. Some of the greater powerful generators can power a house with 5 bedrooms without an excessive amount of difficulty. Based on how big of a generator you would like and how much wattage you’re looking for will determine the cost you will pay for your gas home generator. Getting a high quality generator is essential Continue reading →

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Norwall stocks-up on out-of-stock items

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Norwall PowerSystems

With the recent spike in generator sales some products have been hard to find, models have been sold out and waiting times are taking longer than usual from the factory in some cases. That is why Norwall has stocked up on many of the popular and necessary items. We want to make sure your order can be sent out immediately, without any waiting time.

With a variety of needs out there, we wanted to make sure we had some of everything. Our stocking location is full, with inverters ranging from 800-7000Watts, portables from 2000-10,000+ Watts, home standby 6-20kW and whole house generators from 22-45kW. This includes some of our most purchased generators like the Generac Portable XG Series XG8000E with electric start and the 18/20kW/LP Generator and 200 Amp ATS for Whole House. Additionally, we have slashed prices to help you save on expenses during this hurricane season.

If you have not yet had a chance or the funds to provide yourself and your family with the comfort of a generating power system it may be an opportune time now. Hurricane season is just past the middle mark with 2 months of the season remaining. As Richard Kline once said “Confidence is preparation. Everything else is beyond your control”.

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How great it is to see people preparing

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Norwall PowerSystems

It is great to see Americans preparing themselves for the worst case scenario this hurricane season. Since Hurricane Irene, generator sales have accelerated, informing us the situation is not being taken lightly. More and more people are investing in standby and portable generator systems as part of their survival and comfort plans to ride out this chilling period.

According to an online forum, generators have had a recent parallel when it comes to purchases. Apparently generators and chain saws have been two must-have items for many. In some areas where there are many poles and trees locals have been using the two as a before and after team. The generator to provide consolation and protection, while the chainsaw to clean up the after effects.

With approximately 78 days left to go we have already been a part of 12 tropical storms, 1 tropical depression and 2 hurricanes. We sincerely hope that the worst of it has come and past, but as all hurricane seasons begin, we know there is no knowing until it has gone. With this in mind, it is still important to keep a “Hurricane preparedness Kit” close at hand. As we have mentioned before, some important items are: cash, medical supplies, food, water, utility items such as batteries, flashlights and lanterns. Of course, keep your insurance up to date, cars fueled and have a family go-to plan.

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Are you prepared for the next hurricane?

Posted on September 17, 2011 by Norwall PowerSystems

An estimated 5.1 million homes and businesses are still without power from North Carolina to Maine. Local utility companies can’t make any promises but say it could take days to restore power in more accessible areas, but could takes a few weeks before they get power up and running in harder-hit areas. For those people who have never been without power for an extended period of time, can you imagine going weeks without electricity? No lights. No refrigeration. No air conditioning, etc. Unfortunately for many, this is just another hurricane to survive.

In today’s modern world, electricity is a basic necessity and is critical for safety, comfort and convenience. The widespread use of electronics, information and communications technology for work and entertainment in recent years has furthered our dependency on electricity. Residential and business users are increasingly investing in standby or back-up power generators to provide electricity during events such as this.

Keeping as protected and comfortable as possible during this unforeseeable time is of the utmost importance. This entails being prepared, prepared, prepared. This includes but is not limited to:

Knowing your evacuation zone: Plan to relocate if you are in an evacuation zone or if you live in a mobile home.

Insurance: Ensure there is adequate insurance for all vehicles, personal property and real estate. If you rent or lease an apartment make sure to have renters insurance.

Identify your risk of flood damage: If your home is at risk of flooding call your insurance company to review their flood policies. Many insurance companies require extra coverage for this.

Create a family household disaster plan: In case the family gets separated have an out of town relative you can call or a place to go where each person can get shelter and safety. It is also smart to have a backup plan incase plan A does wrong.

Let others know of your whereabouts and plans.

Arrange for the safety and comfort of your pets.

Monitor local news stations, radio and online reports for hurricane updates.

Prepare a hurricane ready kit: Prepare yourself to be without food and water for a minimum of 3 days or longer. A few things you will need are: canned and non-perishable foods, 1 gallon of water per day per person for 3-7 days; cooking tools, camp stove and fuel, lantern, candles, lighters and matches; flashlights and batteries, cell phone, cooler with ice, baby necessities and special items, elderly items, toiletries, tape, valuable documents, Id and records; games for children, blankets, towels, clothing and a first aid kit; keys, garbage bags, pet items, a fire extinguisher, chain saw, gas and oil. plywood and nails, rope and small tools. Please be aware this is a general list.

Purchase a standby or portable generator: Invest in a standby generator for long term safety, reliability and power during uncertain times. For short term use and emergency situations take a look at purchasing a portable generator for your electrical needs.

While there are currently no warning reports in effect, the National Hurricane Centre has said that “Tropical Storm Katia is likely to become a hurricane later today”. She is moving west-northwest at 21mph and is currently about 1,100 miles west of Cape Verde Islands. Area dwellers are prompted to start preparing if they are not already prepared.

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Hurricane Irene is coming, are you prepared?

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Norwall PowerSystems

With hurricane Irene coming in fast, it is important to take all necessary precautions. A portable generator can quickly and effectively keep your family safe and secure during this unpredictable storm.

The Miami based hurricane centre said “Irene is forecast to become a larger than average hurricane”. Irene is currently moving at a category 1 and was initially expected to hit an alarming category 4, currently downgraded to reach a category 3 level. Everybody living on the eastern coast of the U.S. should monitor Irene closely and take immediate steps to keep as safe and comfortable as possible. Authorities along the U.S. Atlantic seaboard whom are watching Irene’s path, say Irene may even sweep up to New York City Sunday.

With comfort and confirmation, forecasts show Irene is no threat to the U.S. oil and gas instillations in the Gulf of Mexico, and therefore anticipate gas to be a safe emergency power fuel. Norwall Power Systems has a lineup of emergency power generators that run on gasoline ready for purchasers to take prompt advantage of. There are literally 1000′s of generators in stock and ready to ship. A portable generator is small, inexpensive and will keep home essentials running such as, lights, refrigerator and other necessary appliances.

Although a portable generator is perfect for many situations, like the current hurricane, for future home or business safety and reliability, a standby generator will provide automatic power to a number of erratic situations. Black-outs, brown-outs, inclement weather, tornados, electrical storms, accidents, power plant issues are just a few of the increasing conditions we need to prepare for, and be ready for. Of course these generators are more expensive than a portable but they have an infinite number of hours on them in comparison, and start automatically once they sense a power disruption.

The Generac Guardian 8kW generator is a reliable unit, last three to four times longer and requires less maintenance check-ups than comparable standby brands. For additional power and performance, the Generac Guardian 20kW is the most popular and effective choice.

This past Monday, Irene, still a tropical storm, scattered across the northeast Caribbean islands causing a lightning strike fire, destroying a mansion on Necker Island, owned by the British billionaire Richard Branson.

With that said, don’t leave your family and belongings to chance. Get your power generator shipped in as little as a few days. For those not able to prepare for Irene or are not amongst the effected population, it may be wise to order your home standby now allowing time for delivery and installation before the next hurricane hits.

As a late hurricane is a poor indicator of a season’s amount of hurricanes, we wish to pass on this information in order to help you prepare and understand the potential threat this season may entail. In 1998, the first hurricane hit on Aug 22^nd, which managed to deliver 10 hurricanes including Hurricane Lisa that touched down in Key West and then on to Biloxi, Mississippi. A total of 9 hurricanes developed in 2001 starting on Sept 8^th,, 4 in 2002 beginning Sept 11^th and 5 in 2006 with its first on Aug 27^th. As you can see, the season is only starting and Norwall PowerSystems strives to make sure that nobody is without power when the unexpected happens.

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Don’t get caught by the latest brown-out or black-out in your area!

Posted on August 5, 2011 by Norwall PowerSystems

A brown-out is a situation of lower than ‘normal’ power line voltage being supplied by your local utility or generating equipment. A brown-out may only be short-term (minutes to hours) or long-term (half day or longer). It is considered a brown-out when there is a power reduction of 8-12%.

A black-out is more extreme, as it is a complete loss of power. For whatever reason the black-out occurs, it is usually short-term as it is so serious that the local company will do everything they can to get the systems up and running as soon as possible. A black-out is classified as an ‘emergency’. However, on occasion a catastrophe can cause a long-term black-out.

Recently, headlines hit the pages as the heat wave in NYC caused a brown-out effecting more than 267,600 homes and businesses with the all-time high of 99 Fahrenheit (37 Celsius). There were 121,000 customers affected in the Queens and Brooklyn area and 139,000 in Westchester. Furthermore, 7,600 consumers were without any power at all. “Power companies across Northeast, including Con Edison, said they had enough electricity to meet the demand, but warned heavy usage could stress some power lines and generating facilities, which could leave some customers temporarily in the dark”. That is exactly what happened, and more.

Do you remember the 2009 black-out in New York’s Staten Island that was broiling under a life-threatening heat wave? Scattered power outages affected approximately 52,000 customers of ConEd’s 3.2 million. The worst part of the outage “darkened large parts of the already secluded West Shore Expressway. Every overhead light was out from the Staten Island Expressway to the exit sign for South Avenue, and the same from just north of the Woodrow Road exit to the ramp leading to the Outerbridge Crossing”, according to silive.com. According to the University of Minnesota, blackouts have increased 124 percent in the last two decades.

Here are some things you can do to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of a power outage during a heat wave:

1) Turn off and/or unplug any household appliances that are not in use. For example: toaster ovens, TV’s, computers, etc. Although a device such as a radio may not be turned on it still pulls power from the electrical outlet while it is plugged in.

2) If you have central air, choose a room or two that you want to keep cool and then close off all of the other rooms’ vents and doors. This will concentrate air in the rooms you are using and therefore your system will not have to work so hard.

3) Use ceiling fans if you have them. They use less electricity than your air conditioner and allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees with no reduction in discomfort. If you are really invested, get yourself a battery operated hand-fan and spray bottle to keep cool.

4) Keep plenty of ice water nearby.

5) Wear light clothing.

6) Close the blinds, shades or any windows that may be open to prevent any heat from getting in and any air from getting out.

7) Refrain from using any appliances such as the stove top, oven, washer, dryer or home electronics. These devices only draw more power and produce more heat.

8) Invest in a standby generator. It is a back-up generating electrical system that operates automatically. Within seconds of power loss an automatic transfer switch will sense the power loss and command the generator to start. It then transfers the electrical load to the generator. Once the power is restored the generator will transfer the load back to the utility and signals the generator to shut off. A standby generator will ensure your security systems, HVAC systems; refrigerator, central air, lighting, etc. are running during these uncertain times.

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“Facing down Disaster” Series

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Sam

Norwall PowerSystems commitment to “Facing down Disaster” Series
Editor, Gerald Hertsch, has already told you how to plan ahead for power in the advent of a disaster and which portable electrical generator to buy. Now he walks you through his generator basics survival.

7 Things That Will Cause Your Emergency Power Generator to Fail When You Need It
Most who own an emergency power generator know that they can be a godsend when the power goes. It can also become the object of overwhelming disappointment and frustration if it fails to operate when you need it most. Unfortunately, there are emergency power generator horror stories. These are incidents in which the situation required immediate back up power but the generator failed to operate as required.

When you purchased your emergency power generator, you intended for it to be there when you needed it most. The worst possible thing that can happen is the power goes out and your generator fails to work as designed. Know this; it happens! And when it does, it usually always occurs at the worst possible moments. Like in the middle of blizzard or during a snowstorm that has hindered everyone from traveling. In times like those, your generator has to be as dependable as the Rock of Gibraltar. Here’s the good news; you can avoid those mishaps by addressing these common mistakes.

Mistake #1 – Using Cheap Gasoline
In this economy, the first reaction for most consumers is to go cheap. However, when it comes your emergency power generator, cheap is not the answer. Remember, you’re talking about providing back up power in the event of a power outage. You cannot afford for your generator to run sporadically in such an event. Almost all high performance fuel-efficient generators are designed to burn unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 86 or higher. Use anything less and you increase deposit build-up on the spark plugs, spark arrestors, valves and on the muffler. This of course decreases the life of the generator and its fuel efficiency.

Mistake #2 – Using Contaminated or Stale Gasoline
Contaminated gasoline and stale fuel are the culprits in many failed starts and in sporadic operating generators. Not only can they cause an emergency power generator to run inefficiently, they can also cause serious damage to parts and mechanisms. Never use contaminated or stale gasoline or a suspect oil/gas mixture.

Mistake #3 Giving Your Generator Too Much Time Off
Your emergency power generator should be run at least once a month when not in use. I advise people to simply mark their calendars “RUN GENERATOR” and on that day run your unit. This accomplishes a number of crucial things: it runs fresh gas through the carburetor lubricates the engine by circulating oil, and if you have an electric starter, it recharges the battery. If you give your generator too much time off, it might not start because the battery has drained or the gas has become contaminated with water.

Mistake #4 – Storing Your Generator Improperly
Prior to storing your generator, check the storage location for exhaust/fume dangers, moisture and any other potential hazards. I could write a book about the times I’ve heard from generator users who attempted to start their generator during an outage only to find out that the unit was waterlogged, had deflated flat tires or some other damage that affected its performance. When it comes to storing your emergency power generator, take NO chances!

CONSUMER ALERT: Certain emergency power generators come with a fuel valve; make sure it’s in the OFF position. If you leave it in the ON position, the gasoline could seep into the engine crankcase and dilute the engine oil, thus reducing the lubrication properties of the oil and causing severe engine damage.

Mistake #5 – Not Having Enough Fuel in Storage
This mistake leaves more people in the dark and cold than you can ever imagine. The purpose of having an emergency power generator is to provide backup power during an outage. But without fuel, your generator won’t provide ANY power. A good percentage of people don’t stockpile any fuel, let alone enough. The general rule of thumb is 24 to 32 gallons of fuel. This allows you enough latitude in the event that the outage lasts longer than anticipated.

Mistake #6 – Plugging Your Generator Directly into a Wall Outlet
Never attempt to power your house by plugging your emergency power generator into any wall outlet. This practice, known as “back-feeding” is life threatening because it can potentially electrocute utility workers, family members and neighbors. What makes it catastrophic for homeowners is the fact that this procedure bypasses most or all of the built-in household circuit protection devices.

CONSUMER ALERT: improper connection of your generator could void your homeowner’s insurance in case of damage, accident or injury.

Mistake #7 – Not Managing Your Wattage Usage
People not familiar with generators tend to falsely believe they can power their entire house with a 2000 watt generator. The trend is to just start plugging devices into the emergency power generator and wait to see what happens. The danger in this is that you could possibly damage the generator and lose power altogether. They key here is being an informed user; know the wattage limitations of your generator and never exceed them.

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