Did you know that Michigan was among the top five states for total people impacted by power outages in 2023?
Or that a “bomb cyclone” windstorm left over 114,000 people in the Seattle area without power in late 2024?
Or that Hurricane Helen caused widespread power outages in 2024 across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, affecting over four million homes?
The point is that power outages affect the entire country coast to coast – and the storms that often cause them are becoming more frequent. Without a standby generator, families are left to endure the consequences of mother nature’s actions.
As a trusted local contractor, it’s your job to make sure your community knows why investing in a home generator is as important as any home comfort purchase they can make. With weather-related outages on the rise since the start of the millennium, homeowners nationwide are at greater risk of losing power than ever before.
Storms Since 2000: What the Data Shows
Take a look at these numbers:
- Since 2000, every state except Alaska and Wyoming has had at least one major power outage event affecting at least 50,000 people.
- Of the 48 states affected by at least one event, 30 have experienced more than 20 and 22 have had over 50.
- Over that last 20 years, more than 80% of power supply interruptions have been caused by weather-related events, such as high winds, rain, winter storms, and tropical cyclones. This doesn’t include fire risks in states like California, where in 2023 alone, over 6.4 million people were affected by blackouts due to wildfires, heat waves, and even intentional utility shutoffs during high-fire risks.
- Storms cause damage, which leads to unfortunate, unforeseen circumstances – like fallen trees. Tree damage accounts for 16% of all public power outages, and it’s the leading cause of outages on the entire east coast.
And the craziest part? Storms are actually getting worse.
Take hurricanes, for example. There are countless debates over climate change every day, but one thing is for sure: the oceans are getting warmer, as proven by ocean temperature recordings that began in 1955.
When the ocean temperature rises, the intensity of a hurricane, typhoon, or cyclone has potential to increase. This leads to more damaging winds, heavier rainfall, flooding, and – you guessed it – more power outages.
What Can Contractors Do About These Storms?
As terrible as these numbers are, contractors have a unique opportunity to both help their community navigate these unpredictable challenges while also turning a profit by educating customers on the importance of installing standby generators.
Standby generators are the safest and most reliable systems homeowners can purchase to ensure their family’s comfort and – to some degree – safety during an outage.
But even with proper education and a sense of urgency on your part, many homeowners are often hesitant to commit to such a large investment. After all, home generators can cost the customer anywhere from $7,000-20,000-plus to install – not including seasonal, yearly, and unexpected maintenance.
Our Premier Program® gives you the ability to overcome these common pain points – and a worry-free way to sell standby generators.
Standby Generators Sales and the Premier Program: Your Solution to Closing a Sale
When selling standby generators, it’s common for homeowners to throw out excuses as to why they don’t need one, like:
- “I don’t need it. Aren’t these more of a luxury?”
- “I don’t know how to service one myself.”
- “Will this thing actually work if and when I need it?”
- “I’ll just get a portable unit. It’s basically the same thing, right?”
Again, even with the right amount of education, there’s almost always pushback, and who can blame them? When a HVAC unit breaks down, people need to have it fixed or replaced as soon as possible because they need heat or air conditioning now. But a generator? They might not use it for months, or even years. That said, when they do have to use it, the generator will power all of their other systems – including the HVAC unit, ensuring whole-home comfort no matter what.
The Premier Program alleviates these kinds of concerns. Qualified customers make one low monthly payment to receive a range of generator-related benefits, such as:
- A brand-new home generator unit
- Professional installation by a licensed professional
- Ongoing maintenance, repairs, and upkeep for the length of the contract
- Worry-free system management, so the units are serviced before the homeowner even knows there’s a potential issue
And the best part? Contractors get paid for the entire job immediately following installation as if the customer paid in full. The homeowner gets the equipment they need without breaking the bank, and you get paid today. With the Premier Program, you can focus on educating your community about why standby generators are so essential and how they can finally be affordable.
Contact Us Today
Storms are getting worse in the United States. They’re getting stronger and hitting more frequently, and as a result, we’re seeing more widespread power outages across the country. As a contractor, this is your chance to tell potential customers about the risks, inform them why standby generators are the solution to this growing problem, and give them an option to pay without going broke or worrying about future maintenance.
In a world where outages seem to be getting more chaotic and complex, the answer really is that simple.
Reach out today to learn more about how our team at Comfort Connect can help you sell more generators than ever before.
