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Home Depot is among the retailers Texans are flocking to for the purchase of generators following revelations of the unstable nature of the state’s energy grid that came to light earlier this year.
While stay-at-home orders caused by the COVID-19 pandemic prompted people to buy generators, the demand grew in the wake of February's winter storm. The massive power outages killed more than 150 people.
“We encourage residents to plan for the worst-case scenario when preparing for severe weather season, including being without power for days to weeks,” a Home Depot spokesperson told Houston Daily. “Installing a permanent generator or having a portable generator on-hand is critical for power outages in the event of a blackout or storm.”
Individuals can determine how much wattage they need in a generator based on the quantity and type of devices they want to power. The Home Depot spokesperson warned that portable generators can pose serious danger if improperly operated.
“Fortunately, it’s easy to stay safe by reading your owner’s manual before operating your generator and following a few generator safety guidelines,” the spokesperson said.
Some generators are already equipped with protection as they feature a carbon monoxide sensor and automatic shutoff.
“This is great for peace of mind and keeping you and your family safe,” the spokesperson said.
Consumers are advised to ensure the generator is always running outside with the exhaust directed at least 20 feet away from any occupied building. Additionally, they should keep the generator dry and have the right size extension cord for the generator.
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT advised Texans on June 14 to conserve energy as the state's grid shows signs of instability from the increased demand.
Residents were asked to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, avoid using large appliances, and turn off lights and pool pumps.
ERCOT had urged Texans to expect such conditions through at least June 18.