After the storms we’ve had here in New England, you may be considering purchasing a generator or sump pump unit with battery backup. The question is, which one is better?
The answer is, it depends.
Generators:
Like any machine, it requires fuel. A generator must be run outside and the ether can be connected to your home’s electricity or you can run a separate extension cord to your home as needed. Otherwise, the generator is designed to help provide emergency power to your entire home.
If in your basement all you have is an AC powered sump pump for your protection, getting not only a generator, but also a battery backed up sump pump is highly recommended.
Backup Battery:
A battery-backed sump pump can run out of battery power when the power goes out in your home. Batteries, depending on the style and model of pump, can sometimes be daisy-chained for longer battery backup time outside of the system, but even that has its limits.
Backup batteries are designed to function as a back-up system for an AC pump and as a back-up system if the power goes out for short periods of time.
Homes that see normal power outages lasting more than 15 hours are suggested to have a battery backup sump pump, but also a generator.
By having both, you extend the life of your pump batteries, power your entire home, and maintain the protection provided by an AC powered pump and a battery powered pump.
Both have their limits if used alone, but used together, the generator can support the backup pump and your basement, and your battery backup pump can provide longer protection in case of blackouts in your neighborhood.
What homeowners need to ask themselves: What are my priorities? What is my budget? What do I want for coverage/protection?
Take time to think about your history of power outages. Perhaps a generator is too much? A battery backup would work great in your situation. On the other hand, you could be in a fairly remote area and a generator makes sense. Some homeowners experience the worst of both and should consider both a generator and battery backup system as a solution to their basement waterproofing needs.
The first step in any choice related to keeping your basement dry is to have it professionally inspected. From there, you can suggest pump styles and systems and ask questions about the possible need for a generator and battery-backed sump pump.