Vendors offer standby generators, siding, refinishing

Homeowners worried about what happens when the power goes out and the furnace stops, the freezer shuts down and the computer goes dark can have peace of mind with the installation of a whole-house standby generator.

Standby generators are free-standing units, connected to the home's wiring,that sit outside much like an air-conditioning unit. Theykick in automatically when the power fails.

Standby generators areone of the products Koehler Electric Home Services of Davenport will highlightat itsbooth during the 36th annual Quad-Cities Builders & Remodelers Association Home Show from Feb. 7 to 9 at the QCCA Expo Center in Rock Island.

Matt Logue, Koehler service technician, said there has been a big uptick in the sale of these generators, beginning about 2006, as units have become more affordable.

Homeowners who don't want to pay to keep every electrical appliance going can opt for different capacities,thus saving money while retaining vital services, he said.

In addition to keeping heat on in the winter, generators can keep sump pumps running during rainstorms that might otherwise flood one's basement, Logue said.

Another product Koehler will showcase is the new Nest brand of thermostats and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. These can be synchronized to a smartphone, allowing you to make changes remotely. You also will be notified of any problems.

In addition, the thermostats have the technology to "learn" your habits. For example, if a cleaning person arrives every Tuesday and turns up the heat,over time the thermostat will "learn" that and turn up the heat automatically, Logue explained.

Koehler is located at 2716 W. Central Park Ave.

Here are five other vendors you'll find at the show:

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Vendors offer standby generators, siding, refinishing