Tag: generators

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR BUSINESS FOR HURRICANE SEASON

July 21, 2023

With forecasters predicting the 2022 hurricane season to be one with above-normal activity, it’s time to ensure you have prepared your business to act quickly should you find yourself in the path of a storm. With these tips, you can keep not only your team but also your business operations safe and secure, with as few disruptions as possible.

Create a plan of action and distribute it.

While you may think a few days before a hurricane hits is enough time to fully prepare, it is imperative to have a plan in place beforehand. Storms can be unpredictable and not having something outlined ahead of time only leaves you susceptible. Your plan should include how you anticipate to monitor storms and give updates to your team, how you plan to communicate and maintain continuity should you lose power and who will do what to ensure all of your important documents and information is secure. Simply having a plan is only the first step – Next, it’s important to test it to make sure everything runs smoothly and that there are no gaps in the process. Lastly, you’ll need to make sure every one of your team members has documentation of the plan should it need to be put in place.

Secure all of your important assets.

When we say all assets, we mean ALL – your people, your facilities, and of course, your data and electrical equipment. Make sure you have an up-to-date contact list of everyone on your team and any important third-party partners so that it’s easy to check in and ensure that they have all of the equipment they need to be able to work remotely if necessary. Assess your physical location to identify any areas of improvement, such as a leaky roof or window, and invest in shutters or plywood, and sandbags to mitigate potential damage. For your important equipment, unplug your computers and servers and store them in a high place. Make sure your data is properly protected, backed up and accessible remotely should your location lose power.

Stay in constant communication.

With everything in place, all that’s left is to be sure you stay on top of what’s going on in your area, communicate it as best you can with your team and your customers, and act in a fluid manner. Utilizing a VoIP cloud-based communication system is one way to integrate all of your business operations in one place. It’ll store all of your information in a cloud that’s accessible to anyone, anywhere, even if the power in your office goes down. Interested in learning more about this service, our IT management offerings or our generator installation and management capabilities? Contact us to guarantee that you are fully prepared for the unexpected.

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard When Severe Weather Is On Its Way

July 16, 2021

It seems like every year, more and more hurricanes are coming to shore. It’s not just about the number of storms; it’s about the severity of them. Category 3 and 4 hurricanes continue to set records and cause billions of dollars in damage.

Although more people are taking these storms seriously and preparing, a recent poll showed that at least 75% of people wished they had been more prepared. 52% wanted more food and water; 47% desired flashlights, batteries and phone chargers; and 66% wished they had backup power for their home.

People who were polled said that 50% had to leave their homes for over a week and stay in a hotel with an average cost of close to $600. A significant 66% wished they had backup power for their home. Now as much as a hurricane can cause damage to your home or business, it’s the emotional damage that genuinely takes a toll.

So what can you do to stay ahead of the storm and be better prepared?

Gather your family and sit them down and put together a plan for severe weather. Follow these three steps to make sure your family can be as prepared as possible.

Prepare a disaster kit for every member of your family. Not just the adults, but for your kids and pets. Adults should keep a separate kit in the car and the kids should have an extra kit for school. In the kit should be bottled water, perishable food, medication and a flashlight with current batteries.
Find out if you’re in a flood zone; if so, make sure you get insurance as soon as you can, as the policy takes about 30 days to go into effect.
The number one cause of power outages in the country is due to weather. Install a backup generator or have your existing one serviced to make sure you can keep your sump pumps and refrigerators running. Although having a portable generator is handy, having a home standby generator turns on automatically when the power goes out.

Don’t let these storms get the better of you. Prepare yourself and your family by following these steps. If you need advice, assistance or to have a generator installed, please contact us.

Power Outage Tips for Small Businesses

September 16, 2020

In Louisiana, we all know that power outages are very likely because of the frequent hurricanes that take place along our coasts and shorelines. According to Agility Recovery, 70 percent of businesses or organizations will face a power outage within the next 12 months.

In today’s world, (almost) everything is reliant on electricity and many small businesses are unable to continue operating without power. If you own a business in Louisiana, you should be aware of the certain challenges your business is likely to face. Although small businesses should have a power-outage preparedness strategy in case of a power outage, we’ve put together a few tips to consider if a power outage threatens the continuity of your business.

Call Utility & Report The Power Outage

Immediately after you notice there is an outage, your utility needs to know when and where it occurred. Since the utility company owns and operates the wires that bring electricity into your business, this means they are the first people you should contact to report a power outage in your area. While a severe storm or event with widespread power interruption should be recognized on the utility provider’s monitoring system, we still advise you to report outages.

If you think you or your employees are in danger, call 911.

Use Backup Power

If your business loses power, make sure you use a standby or backup power sources for emergency power. Always read and follow all manufacturer operating instructions. Also note that you should only use these generators in well-ventilated areas. That’s because generators can be a major cause of fatal carbon monoxide poisoning, which can cause loss of consciousness and even death.

If your business is interested in getting a generator professionally installed, learn more about our generators and power solutions.

Equipment Safety 101

In the event of a power outage, it is important to unplug or turn off all electrical equipment, such as computers and televisions to prevent damage from electrical surges or spikes when power is eventually restored. Your circuits could overload when power returns if all your electrical items are on. We recommend that you leave one light on to indicate that power is back on.

GAGE provides standby power solutions for your home or business. For more information on our generators and general power services, visit here today or give us a call at 225.753.4243.

The Difference Between Standby and Portable Generators

August 20, 2020

Standby Generators and Portable Generators

As hurricane season makes its way, it’s important that we take the proper precautions to protect our homes and businesses from power outages. At Gage, we offer the latest technology that ensures power to keep things running.

Whether you’re a recent customer or a returning one, Gage understands that buying a generator is an investment; and we want to guarantee your highest satisfaction if you intend to purchase one of our products.

How Do Generators Work?

Generators conduct electricity by converting mechanical or chemical energy into electrical energy. This process requires the generator to harness kinetic energy (motion) and translate it into electrical energy by conducting electrons from its external source through its electrical circuit. You should never run your generator indoors, same as your vehicle, the engine exhaust will create a poisonous atmosphere of carbon monoxide. There are two types of generators: portable generators and standby generators.

Portable Generators

Although these models are cheaper than your standard standby generator, they have a higher potential to be hazardous. It is best to store them away carefully when not in use because natural elements will cause deterioration. In the event of a power outage, portable models require manual setup.

While in use, these models need to be secured with its designated weather-cover or a free-standing canopy; when contacted with water, these generators can cause electrical shocks or fires. Because of high volumes of carbon monoxide, it’s vital that you position your model at least 20 feet away from your house.

Most portable generators don’t produce enough power for an entire house, using electronics that require a high voltage could induce fried circuits. However, when they are properly connected to a circuit breaker with a transfer switch, they can almost power a house as much as a standby generator. The downside is that they require sizable amounts of gasoline mixed with fuel stabilizer during a lengthy power outage.

Standby Generators (Stationary Generators)

A technician will permanently install a standby generator with an insulated, weatherproof makeup that muffles undesirable noise and withstands any storm without covering. They eliminate the hassle of manual installation and startup.

One of the major benefits of these models is that they’re self-starting immediately after a power outage. And they’re much less likely to fry any electronics. They can also power your entire house or building, and because they run on natural gas or propane, they can conduct power for days or weeks on a full tank. Mostly, standby generators are risk-free and arguably worth the price.

Gage has the power to be your next solution. In helping to decide which generator would serve you best, we are here to assist you with choosing the right one. We want to help you with any questions or concerns that you may have.

For more information on generator maintenance or to find out about purchase and installation contact Gage today: https://www.gagetelephone.com/product/power/.

4 Things that Set Cummins Generators Apart

August 9, 2018

Gage Standby Power Generator Services - Baton Rouge, LA

GAGE is proud to offer a product line like Cummins that provides efficient, fully-integrated power generation systems built for reliability in uncertain circumstances. From homes to office buildings and medical facilities, their power generation products inspire confidence and keep the lights on. What sets Cummins generators apart?

// Fuel Consumption

Cummins fuel consumption beats other competitors in the market, and their crank only exercise mode feature helps to save fuel.

// Load Management

Cummins intelligent load management system is integrated, smart, faster than competitors and economical for customers.

// Noise Levels

Cummins has designed and tested their generators for minimal noise in the Cummins Acoustical Testing Center, the largest sound testing facility in the industry, resulting in super-quiet operation, perfect for residential neighborhoods.

// Remote Monitoring

Cummins ConnectCloud is integrated into the generator at no additional cost and able to be remotely controlled and monitored from an Apple or Android app.

Gage is an Authorized Partner of Cummins Power Generation Systems. If you’re in the market for a home or commercial generator, schedule an appointment with a GAGE representative today to develop a custom solution tailored for you.

4 Reasons to Consider a Standby Generator

July 25, 2018

While many know about standby generators, there are still a lot of questions about how they work, how much they cost, and whether or not they are worth it. At the very least, power outages can be a minor inconvenience, but for many individuals and business owners alike, they can create very difficult and even dangerous situations. Besides the obvious benefit of immediate power restoration, what can backup power with a standby generator do for your home or business?

// Protect your investments

While the first thing many people think about when it comes to generators is how costly they can be, we would argue that the cost of not owning one could quickly add up to just as much if not more. With an extended power outage, your property could undergo significant damages that could result in costly remedies such as mold mitigation; and if you’re a business owner, you already know how impactful loss of business could be.

// Fuss-free upkeep

Unlike portable generators, standby generators do not operate on external fuel tanks that need to be kept full and fresh. In fact, most options will connect directly to your gas line and won’t require any work at all for you to ensure it’s always accessible and ready when you need it. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning or electrocution risks often associated with the running and maintaining a portable generator.

// Keep your home safe

The value of installing a permanent standby generator is clear – you want to ensure that your family, property, or business can remain as safe and comfortable as possible in the event of a natural disaster. Uninterrupted power will ensure that your security system continues to protect your property even during an extended power outage. And if a family member has a medical situation, a standby generator could be critical to their continued care.

// Increase your property value

Standby generators are a permanent upgrade to your home, and buyers will be sure to take note. Statistics show you will likely recoup 54% of the cost of a standby generator within a year, but in addition to this, prospective buyers will see this as a notable differentiator and added benefit that your property is already equipped to make their lives smoother in the event of a power outage.

A power outage this hurricane season does not have to put your home or business in the dark. More than anything, the right standby generator for your needs can bring you peace of mind in an otherwise difficult situation. We’re here to help you make the right decision for your business or family. Learn more about our standby generator services, or contact us for a free site evaluation for your home or business in Baton Rouge, LA and the surrounding areas.

GAGE Acquires GenTech Power Solutions

April 30, 2018

(April 30, 2018 – Baton Rouge, LA) Baton Rouge-based GAGE announced the acquisition of GenTech Power Solutions, which provides installation, maintenance and repair of standby generators for homes and businesses across southeast Louisiana featuring such brands as Briggs & Stratton, Cummins and Generac. GAGE added standby generators to their services in 2010 to support disaster recovery and business continuity for its customers, and is an Authorized Partner of Cummins Power Generation commercial and residential standby generators.

“We saw the opportunity to bring the GAGE brand of services to an already outstanding group of customers built by GenTech,” said GAGE Vice President, Greg Wood. “GAGE and GenTech are established businesses providing similar services and both companies are very focused on delivering the highest quality customer experience, which makes this move a perfect fit.”

“GAGE is a reputable company with high standards of customer service and I wouldn’t have considered anything less for my customers,” stated GenTech Power Solutions Owner, Clifton Collins.

A full-service telecommunications and IT services company, GAGE has served the Louisiana business community since 1980. GAGE provides companies of all sizes with business phone systems, computer networks, managed IT services, structured cabling and standby generators all based on the client’s specific needs now and into the future. GAGE has been recognized with numerous industry awards and is one of the region’s leading technology services companies. For more information on GAGE, visit www.gagetelephone.com

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