Is a Whole-Home Generator Worth It? Presidents’ Day Storm Prep Checklist

February in the Roanoke Valley can bring a little bit of everything—freezing rain, heavy wet snow, wind, and sudden temperature swings. Around Presidents’ Day weekend, many families in Roanoke, Salem, and Botetourt County are traveling, hosting, or taking advantage of winter sales. The last thing you want is a power outage that leaves your home without heat, lights, or hot water.

If you’ve been considering a standby generator, this is the right season to evaluate whether a whole-home generator is worth it and what you can do now to prepare for late-winter storms. At Main Heating & Air Conditioning, we provide generator installation and repair in Roanoke, VA and surrounding areas, helping homeowners stay safe and comfortable when the grid goes down.

Why Presidents’ Day Weekend Is A Smart Time To Plan

Presidents’ Day isn’t just a long weekend—it’s a mid-winter checkpoint. In Southwest Virginia, February storms often create two problems at once: power loss and rapidly dropping indoor temperatures. If you rely on electric heat, heat pumps, well pumps, or sump pumps, outages can become more than an inconvenience.

A whole-home generator can automatically restore power within seconds. That matters when you’re away from home in Christiansburg or Blacksburg, or when roads around Smith Mountain Lake make service access harder during storms.

Is a Whole-Home Generator Worth It In Roanoke, VA?

A standby generator is worth it for many households, but the “right” choice depends on your outage risk, your home setup, and what you need to keep running.

Here’s when a whole-home generator often makes the most sense locally:

• You’ve experienced multiple outages each winter or during high-wind events
• Someone in the home relies on medical devices or needs stable heat
• You work from home and can’t afford lost connectivity
• You have a finished basement and want to protect against sump pump failure
• You want hot water, refrigeration, and HVAC support without running extension cords

Beyond convenience, the biggest value is protection. Power loss can lead to frozen pipes, water damage, food spoilage, and emergency hotel stays. Over time, those costs can add up quickly.

People Also Ask: What Size Generator Do I Need For A Whole House?

This is one of the most common questions homeowners ask, and the answer is: it depends on what you want to power and how your home is designed. Many “whole-house” setups in Roanoke County fall in the 18–26 kW range, but homes with larger HVAC systems, multiple refrigerators/freezers, well pumps, or electric water heaters may need more capacity.

A professional assessment is the best way to size correctly. An undersized generator may struggle during startup loads (especially with heating and cooling equipment), while an oversized system can cost more than necessary. Main Heating & Air Conditioning helps you choose the right generator based on your essential circuits, fuel type, and usage priorities.

Presidents’ Day Storm Prep Checklist (Before The Next Outage)

Use this quick checklist to prepare your home now—especially if a storm is in the forecast.

Home And Safety Basics:

• Charge phones, battery banks, and flashlights; replace batteries
• Store extra bottled water and easy-to-prepare foods
• Confirm you have working carbon monoxide detectors on each level
• Keep a safe indoor temperature plan (extra blankets, space heaters used safely)

Protect Your Plumbing And Appliances:

• Set faucets to a slow drip if temperatures will plunge
• Know where your main water shutoff is located
• Set your fridge/freezer to the coldest safe setting ahead of the storm

Generator-Specific Prep:

• If you have a standby generator, schedule preventive maintenance every 6–12 months
• Run a quick system test and check for error codes
• Keep the area around the unit clear of snow, leaves, and debris
• If you use portable generators, never run them indoors or in a garage

Installation Considerations In Salem, Botetourt County, And Smith Mountain Lake

A quality generator installation is more than setting a unit on a pad. Local factors like property layout, noise considerations, fuel source (natural gas vs. propane), and permit requirements all matter. Our team handles the details, including placement recommendations and system checks, so your generator is ready when you need it most.

Peace Of Mind Starts Before The Storm

If you’re tired of winter outages or want a safer, more reliable backup plan, a whole-home generator can be a smart investment—especially in February when storms are still on the table. Main Heating & Air Conditioning provides generator installation and repair in Roanoke, VA, as well as Roanoke County, Salem, Botetourt County, Christiansburg, Blacksburg, and Smith Mountain Lake.

Call Main Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule a generator consultation. We’ll help you choose the right system, install it correctly, and make sure it’s maintained for dependable power all year long.