The home heating oil industry has a long and proud history, and Fuel Oil News has been there supporting it since 1935. It is an industry that has faced many challenges during that time. In its 77th year, Fuel Oil News is doing more than just holding
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I n past articles, I mentioned several areas of diver- sification opportunities including A/C, home inspection, LP gas and even water filtration. However there is another area that is well worth con- sidering: emergency home generation systems. There was a time when A/C and swimming pools were not very popular and now look around and you see more swimming pools and A/C installations. Perhaps your company has diversified into the A/C business and it too has become another major revenue source — as home generator sales could be. This may be a good time to give serious thought into becoming a generator dealer and installer. Think of all the storm power outages that we have experi- enced just over the past couple of years, and, to me, this is a great motivator to consider selling generators. Perhaps some of you have already ventured into this market, and found it to have been a very positive deci- sion and another source of income. Many of you may say that the big box stores already sell generators to the home owner and this is true, but the areas that they are most likely weak in are knowl- edge and service. Homeowner's do not want to be without heat, hot water, lights, TV, A/C, refrigeration or life support devices to name a few critical and not so critical concerns. There is a portable or permanently mounted gen- erator that will meet every customer's needs and that is available with three different fuel sources: propane, natural gas and gasoline. It's understandable why LP and gasoline units are the preferred for those in outly- ing areas. In ordered to determine the size of the unit needed you must first determine what the customer needs are a during a power outage. This can range from a well pump, heating, A/C, a refrigerator, freezer and a few lights or maybe the entire house. Some examples of wattage ratings are: • An oil furnace: 1500 watts • Sump pump: 600 watts • Electric range: 4,500 watts • Lap top: 25 watts • Coffee maker: 1,050 watts This equipment wattage would average out to 7,675 watts, total. Only when the total load had been determined, can the correct generator size be selected. It can be a unit as small as a portable 5500 kW or a larger 20,000 kW sta- tionary unit. In my example, I would select something in the 8,500 range for the above watt rating. Next you must consider the correct transfer switch that will accommodate these circuits and make sure that a licensed electrician and a LP or natural gas tech- nician is hired to do the connections. And, remember that permits are required. Also keep in mind that if your customer is located where the temperature could get down to the 32- degree range, or lower you will need to add a winterization kit. One of the advantages of most of the larger units is that they can provide an auto test run cycle at a predetermined time period to reinforce its reliability. I also suggest that regardless of what type of generator you sell, remind the buyer to test the unit periodically and to be sure that there is an adequate supply of fuel on hand. Most manufacturers wi ll tell you how much fuel will be used at full load in an hour. In closing, become part of the Next Generation and think about offering generators to your custom- ers! l FON The Next Generation www.fueloilnews.com | FUEL OIL NEWS | MARCH 2014 41 Bio: Charlie Bursey began his long career in the oil heating industry in 1963. He has delivered coal, kerosene and oil and serviced heating and cooling equipment. He has also managed service departments, worked for a manufacturer and currently works with F.W. Webb, Warwick, R.I. He is a recipient of the Association of Oil & Energy Service Professionals' prestigious Hugh McKee Award for making an out- standing contribution to the fuel oil industry; having had an understanding and coop- eration with his/her fellowman; and having unselfishly aided the industry in education and related activities. CoNTACT: ChasBursey@aol.com Charles Bursey, Sr. SERVICE