Review for the Guardian Residential Standby Generator
Posted: Friday, January 30, 2009
by Sandra E. Graham
My Books and Articles
I live in the Northeast corner of the state of Arkansas so, like many people from the northern edge of Texas all the way to the east coast of the country, I awoke to an Ice-Age storm of Biblical proportions a few days ago. There was ice over an inch thick on every uncovered surface for miles around. As dusk was settling the first day, I stood in my garage and listened to the eerie sounds of trees breaking over all around us. It is a sound that in its devastation alone makes words impossible to describe.
God in his almighty power has humbled us once more. Mixing beauty with destruction, our world will change once again; just as it did for those in the wake of hurricane Katrina.
Chilly fingers of ice have snapped every tree as though they were just so many tooth picks; leaving the jagged edges shining raw in the sun. Hundreds of thousands of people are still without power and this is day five.
I went into the Lowe's store in Paragould , Arkansas -the only store open, running on generator power-to buy a box of fire logs for my fire place. They had none; sold out.
Well, what about a couple of small room propane heaters-sorry, sold out.
As I first walked into the store, I saw a line of generators being hauled out one behind the other. Trains of generators were coming down every aisle headed toward the Out' door.
And they continued the whole time I was in the store. I heard a lady tell several customers that all the generators were sold, but there would be another truck in tomorrow.
Arkansas (as I'm sure several other states are as well) is known for its ice storms and this isn't the first and won't be the last time a large area will be without power. This storm, however, has brought destruction beyond our wildest dreams. For no matter what part of the country (or the world) you live in, God and Nature will always find you; ice, rain, winds, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanos, earth quakes--they leave their mark and we can only pick ourselves up and start over.
Shortly after moving here from Texas , we experienced our first Arkansas ice storm and decided that being without power for several days is not an option we care to struggle through. With that in mind, we went to our nearest Home Depot store and looked over their selection of residential standby generators. We decided on a 15k watt Guardian and have never looked back. Now, any time the power goes out for any reason, our guardian takes care of us. Our house has total power, we have heat and all our electrical appliances are ready for us any time we need them.
We have had our Guardian generator for several years now and I am sure that the manufacturer has come up with newer and better models than the one we have.
Pros for the Guardian:
1. Was easy to connect.
2. Comes on and goes off automatically, so we don't have to be awake or at home when there is a power failure.
3. Ours runs on propane-there are models which run on Natural or LP gas.
4. Easy to operate
5. Very sound product-no problems since we bought it four years ago.
6. Not overly expensive for the usefulness and quality of the product.
7. Operates everything in the entire house (3 bedroom, 2 bath, formal dinning, large family room, and large kitchen, dining area. With central heat and air).
Cons for the Guardian:
1. Expensive to operate over several days since the cost of propane has gone up.
2. A bit noisy, but we placed ours out in the shop, so it's not a problem for us.
(I think they have quieter models now).
Would I recommend the Guardian Generator? Absolutely
We have opened our home to several families who are still without power since this ice storm began and we thank God that we are able to do what little we can for those in need.
Without our Guardian, we would have been looking for shelter from the first day.
If you live in an area that suffers power outages, you really should consider a standby generator with enough power to supply the entire house.
Please, pray for everyone in these devastated areas.
God in his almighty power has humbled us once more. Mixing beauty with destruction, our world will change once again; just as it did for those in the wake of hurricane Katrina.
Chilly fingers of ice have snapped every tree as though they were just so many tooth picks; leaving the jagged edges shining raw in the sun. Hundreds of thousands of people are still without power and this is day five.
I went into the Lowe's store in Paragould , Arkansas -the only store open, running on generator power-to buy a box of fire logs for my fire place. They had none; sold out.
Well, what about a couple of small room propane heaters-sorry, sold out.
As I first walked into the store, I saw a line of generators being hauled out one behind the other. Trains of generators were coming down every aisle headed toward the Out' door.
And they continued the whole time I was in the store. I heard a lady tell several customers that all the generators were sold, but there would be another truck in tomorrow.
Arkansas (as I'm sure several other states are as well) is known for its ice storms and this isn't the first and won't be the last time a large area will be without power. This storm, however, has brought destruction beyond our wildest dreams. For no matter what part of the country (or the world) you live in, God and Nature will always find you; ice, rain, winds, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanos, earth quakes--they leave their mark and we can only pick ourselves up and start over.
Shortly after moving here from Texas , we experienced our first Arkansas ice storm and decided that being without power for several days is not an option we care to struggle through. With that in mind, we went to our nearest Home Depot store and looked over their selection of residential standby generators. We decided on a 15k watt Guardian and have never looked back. Now, any time the power goes out for any reason, our guardian takes care of us. Our house has total power, we have heat and all our electrical appliances are ready for us any time we need them.
We have had our Guardian generator for several years now and I am sure that the manufacturer has come up with newer and better models than the one we have.
Pros for the Guardian:
1. Was easy to connect.
2. Comes on and goes off automatically, so we don't have to be awake or at home when there is a power failure.
3. Ours runs on propane-there are models which run on Natural or LP gas.
4. Easy to operate
5. Very sound product-no problems since we bought it four years ago.
6. Not overly expensive for the usefulness and quality of the product.
7. Operates everything in the entire house (3 bedroom, 2 bath, formal dinning, large family room, and large kitchen, dining area. With central heat and air).
Cons for the Guardian:
1. Expensive to operate over several days since the cost of propane has gone up.
2. A bit noisy, but we placed ours out in the shop, so it's not a problem for us.
(I think they have quieter models now).
Would I recommend the Guardian Generator? Absolutely
We have opened our home to several families who are still without power since this ice storm began and we thank God that we are able to do what little we can for those in need.
Without our Guardian, we would have been looking for shelter from the first day.
If you live in an area that suffers power outages, you really should consider a standby generator with enough power to supply the entire house.
Please, pray for everyone in these devastated areas.
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Sandra E. Graham, author, Amos Jakey and Nicolina, published by American Book Publishing. Visit my website for more info; http://www.sandragraham-articles-books.com
I also review books for Bookpleasures.
I also review books for Bookpleasures.
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Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Another great article Sandra. I've witnessed two of those devastating ice storms in my life time. I'm thankful they are few and far between around here. You have convinced me to look into this generator bit though. It could be a real life saver. Thanks for sharing this with us.We have had to use ours just a few times--ice, power outage for unknown reason, high winds blowing trees across lines, etc. It has been the best investment we have ever made. I am on my computer right now only because of our generator.Thanks for reading and commenting, Joel.Sandra
HI Sandra, you have convinced me; I am a whiner indeed. Oregon is experiencing a heatwave at 37 degrees tonight. I am praying for everyone on your end of the world. Thanks for including the pictures, I would have never been able to grasp in my mind what you wrote. We had an ice storm here in December. ha! Not according to your definition.Lord bless you for the help you are able to give to your community. And thanks for reminding me of how much I love the West Coast :-)Thanks so much, Teresa. We can all use your prayers.Bless you.Sandra
Wow Sandra, I will pray for all those folks in that area. What with costs the way they are, and I see gas prices are going up again, (remember my article on gas)? I'm not sure if you read it, but it is supposed to go up this year, and is predicted to go up 113% according to Money Morning Investment Reader. I don't envy you out there in that devastating cold, but God bless you for helping those that you can! Now, Of course I have to rub it in......I am from Tucson Arizona.....Where it almost gets down to 32 degrees at the peak of our winter!! Wow, that is cold. Also, I have to go out and check the temp of my pool, so that it doesn't get too cold, I figure as long as I can see steam coming off of it, its all good! lol........also, the clear sky and the sunshine are killing me, I had to put on a lightweight jacket this morning, I was well....not freezing after seeing those beautiful pics you included in your artcle. but I must say, I loved the article. I'm sure I will never need a backup generator, but to those that will, that looks like a pretty durable generator....Great article, and as always, very informative and well writen. I had to throw in the Tucson part to make you smile.........your friend in pen......Gary.Thanks so much, Gary. I needed the smile you sent me. This devastation all across our country is horrendous and the costs are astronomical. And we very right about gasoline. It is adding insult to injury the way the oil companies are raising prices now when people need help the most.Thanks for reading and commenting.Sandra
» left by Dr Jeannette Kavanagh
from Melbourne, Australia 3 years 8 days ago.
20 fans. Follow Dr Jeannette Kavanagh on twitter!Hello there,I feel cooler already just reading your article! As you may know, we've just come out of 110+ temperatures (42 to 45C) in the last week. So hot was it that today we think it's a mild summer's day at 38C. I noted Gary's comment from Tucson so you have the same extremes in America.Last year, I worked in Utopia a remote community of Indigenous Australians, about 300kms north of Alice Springs. Now that's more like Arizona with a plus. It's amazing though because although none of us works really well in baking temperatures, I did get used to that desert heat. In Melbourne, the weather is much more changeable.Despite the heat, the inspiring Serena Williams still managed a win (or was it a slaughter) at the tennis. It was wonderful to see her win again, but she wasn't well matched on the day. Let's blame the weather.I loved your article - thanks for writing it.Thanks so much, Dr. Jeannette, for reading and commenting. Yes, we do have unusual weather here. Our ice storm started six days ago and now we are into 52 and 55 degree temps. The ice is melting finally and the crews are working like beavers to get our power back up. And we are all praying.Have a wonder warm, sunny day down under.Sandra
Another great article! The pictures can leave you breathless too. I am greatful for the invention of the generator as well. I have been praying for everyone as well. Stay safe and warm! God Bless you.Thanks so much, Freida. You know only too well what we have been going through.May your electric be returned soon.God bless.Sandra
hi sandra,ice is so much more dangerous and destructive than snow.we just got a generator, after many years of knowing we should.nature is definitely in control over we humans.i'm glad you're alright,my best regards,sueThanks so much, Sue. God has a plan and I guess this was just one more. Sometimes it is hard to understand, but it does keep us focused on day to day survival.Sandra
Great review for the generator. But why do you confuse wheather patterns that lead to your ice storm with God? They are two separate topics.Hello, Gregory. Good to hear from you again--I suspected I would. Thank you for your comment--'Great review for the generator'. However, I'm confused that you think I confuse 'weather patterns and ice storms' with God. I realize you are agnostic and I appreciate your sentiment. I'm Christian and believe whole-heartedly that God has a hand in all things. Maybe He didn't create the ice storm, but He created the Heavens and the Earth and the science that works together to create all events--good and bad--that happen on our earth. He never promised us a rose garden in this life time and we will have to earn our 'better home' in the end.I'm not overly bright, Gregory, so I can't argue intelligently about anything. I only know what I believe and that is love and hope for all mankind.Take care, have a good day, stop in again anytime.SandraHello Sandra, nice speaking with you again.Did you see my comments on the other thread?I certainly did--and replied. Did you read my "Only a Man Would do This!"? I think this is one you will like---if you haven't received the email already. It is pretty funny.Thanks for reading and commenting. I've got to check out some of your articles, now.Sandra
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