Since you do not know how long power will be off, we have some tips to stretch the amount of time your generator will power your home. While your generator may be capable of powering your entire home, the question of how long it can do so and that depends solely on your fuel supply and how easily you can replenish it. All these tips will help you reduce the load on your generator, thereby increasing the amount of time it can run without needing additional fuel. 

The short version is: turn off as many electrical devices as possible and limit the usage of others. 

Specifically: 

1. If you know you may need your generator in advance – for example a hurricane is approaching – turn down your freezer and refrigerator down before the storm approaches in order to cool down beforehand. If you lose power, limit opening them to conserve power.

2. Turn off un-needed electrical devices. For example, pool pumps, lights, some clocks, cordless phones, un-needed computers, un-needed televisions.

3. Increase the temperator setting of air conditioners, or decrease the heat setting. 

4. Turn off un-needed air conditioning units – for example if your family can live in part of the house you can turn off one zone. 

5. Try to avoid charging your electric car or golf cart, if possible.