Unexpected Outages
Unexpected Outages | Generators | Electrical | Signal Mountain
When storms roll across Signal Mountain and the lights suddenly fade, HEP’s unexpected outages electrical – generators page is your real-time lifeline. Here you’ll find up-to-the-minute outage maps, safety reminders, and simple checklists that make starting—and more importantly, safely operating—your home generators a breeze. Whether you’re a seasoned mountain resident or a weekend cabin owner, the page puts everything you need a tap away, so you can keep essentials powered and worries low even when nature has other plans.
Beyond instant status updates, the page offers insider tips on fuel storage, maintenance alerts, and links to local support teams who can service generators before, during, or after an outage. Bookmark it now and stay confident that the next time the grid goes dark, you’ll have clear guidance—and dependable generators—ready to keep life on Signal Mountain bright.
FAQs
What should I do first when an unexpected power outage hits my home in Signal Mountain?
Start by checking whether the outage is isolated to your property. Look for tripped breakers or blown fuses, and then see if your neighbors still have electricity. If the entire area is dark, report the outage to EPB (423-648-1372) and avoid opening refrigerators or freezers to preserve food. If you have a backup generator, follow the manufacturer’s start-up sequence. If you do not, call our 24/7 emergency line; we can dispatch a technician with a portable unit or schedule a quick-install standby generator depending on outage duration.
How fast can you deliver and connect an emergency generator during an outage?
For customers in the Signal Mountain area we maintain a stock of portable and towable generators ranging from 5 kW to 150 kW. Once your service call is logged, a technician is usually on site within 1–2 hours. Portable units can be running in under 30 minutes after arrival, while larger towable or roll-up generators typically require 60–90 minutes, including load balancing and safety checks. Permanent standby generators take longer because they need a pad, fuel hookup, and transfer-switch wiring, but we can place and wire a basic 14 kW natural-gas unit within 24–48 hours if permits are already on file.
What size generator do I need to keep essential circuits powered?
Sizing depends on the total wattage of the appliances you want to run. A typical Signal Mountain home that needs lights, refrigerator, gas furnace blower, Wi-Fi, and a few outlets can usually manage with an 8–10 kW unit. If you add an electric water heater, well pump, or central air-conditioning, you may need 14–22 kW. For small businesses, we complete a free load analysis: sum of running watts × 1.25 (for start-up surge) plus 15 % safety margin. Our team can perform this assessment on site or via video call to recommend the most cost-effective capacity.
Is a portable generator enough, or should I invest in a whole-house standby system?
Portable generators are great for short outages (under 24 hours), lower upfront cost, and occasional camping use. However, they require manual fueling (usually gasoline), extension cords, and constant monitoring. Whole-house or partial-house standby systems start automatically within 10–15 seconds of a utility failure, run on natural gas or propane, and can power HVAC and hard-wired appliances safely through an automatic transfer switch. If Signal Mountain’s frequent storms or winter ice leave you without power multiple times a year—or if you rely on medical equipment—a standby system offers peace of mind and increased property value.
Do I need a transfer switch, and will your team handle the permitting and installation?
Yes. National Electrical Code (NEC 702) and EPB utility rules require that any generator feeding household circuits be isolated from the grid by a manual or automatic transfer switch. This prevents dangerous back-feed and protects line workers. We supply UL-listed transfer switches from 30 A to 400 A, file all permits with the Town of Signal Mountain and Hamilton County, coordinate gas line sizing with your utility, and schedule final inspection. You simply choose manual vs. automatic operation and which circuits you want covered.
How do I maintain my generator so it’s ready for the next outage?
Run a 15-minute exercise cycle every month under at least 50 % load to keep internal components lubricated. Change oil and filter every 100–150 run-hours or annually, whichever comes first. Replace air and fuel filters annually, test the battery every 6 months, and keep the enclosure clear of leaves and debris. We offer a semi-annual maintenance plan that includes load-bank testing, firmware updates, and full system inspection. Customers on this plan receive priority service and a 10 % discount on any repair parts during outages.