News
Fox 61: Historic Storms Lead to Launch of New Business Venture
Monday, January 9, 2012
HISTORIC STORMS LEAD TO LAUNCH OF NEW BUSINESS VENTURE
-NEWINGTON ELECTRIC COMPANY FORMS NEW DIVISION “CONNECTICUT HOME GENERATOR SYSTEMS”-
(NEWINGTON, CT)- January 9, 2012- Newington Electric is a company that dates back more than five decades in Connecticut. The company values tradition, but has also adapted to an evolving industry, launching CT Electric Car in early 2011, and this week announcing the formation of Connecticut Home Generator Systems. (CTHomeGeneratorSystems.com). The demand for such a business was evident to Ed Ingalls, owner of Newington Electric Company. After the massive power outages caused by two major storms within months of each other, Ingalls decided to create a new division devoted strictly to the installation, maintenance and repair of home generator systems across the state.
“Between the wrath of Storms Irene and Alfred, Newington Electric Company received more than 4,800 phone calls and 800 emails from CT residents who were without power due to downed power lines and storm related power issues,” said Ed Ingalls, owner of Newington Electric Company. “We worked around the clock, trying to keep up with the demand!”
Ingalls attributes the increase in generator sales due to the fact that they have become extremely affordable to install and are very easy to use. Ingalls notes that generator systems that were once considered a luxury have quickly become a necessity here in New England especially with the turbulent weather and unpredictable power outages. “Not only do they provide heat in the winter and coolness in the summer, but they also offer a level of home security for people who don’t want to be left in the dark,” he adds.
Newington Electric Company is no stranger to residential stand-by generator systems as the company has been installing and wiring Generac residential generator systems for about 20 years- just before the Y2K scare in the late 80’s. In fact, the organization has become one of the largest Generac dealers in the state, offering 24-hour emergency service to its customers. Newington Electric is listed on Generac’s web page as an authorized sales & service dealer and installation expert.
Connecticut Home Generator Systems’ main focus will be on residential stand-by generator systems and educating its customers on the choices they have when deciding on a home generator system that’s most suitable for their current situation, specifically taking into consideration the customers’ needs, requirements, concerns and physical limitations.
Ingalls notes that there are two main types of generators to choose from when considering a home generator system: the fully automatic electric start stand-by unit, and the manual stand-by unit, which is available in electric start as well as a pull start feature. Ingalls is careful to explain that in addition to the most common items that people are looking to power up in an outage, such as heat, lights, microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning units, well pumps and sump pumps, people also need to take into consideration any special needs, like in-home health care equipment.
A typical installation for manual generator system, including the generator, installation and wiring will range in price from $1,400 to $3,500, depending on the wattage. A typical automatic stand-by system will run $ 4,800 to $8,500, including the natural gas or propane hook up, depending on the size and wattage, most typically, between 7,000 and 10,000 watts. Standby generators are completely automatic and run on natural gas or propane and will restore power within 15 seconds of a power loss. Portable generators are manually-operated and are available in electric start and pull start, manual stand by systems run on gasoline only. The most typical manual wattage is between 4,000 and 7,500 watt.
Ingalls adds that once you purchase a generator, it is then critical to ensure a safe installation. Connecticut Home Generator Systems will install and wire home generator systems for home owners that have purchased their own generators. Their technicians are all licensed by the State of Connecticut to perform residential electrical work, including permit filings.
“A typical warranty on a generator is 3 years from the date of purchase,” said Ingalls. “Not only do we install generators, but also, we’re there in the event a maintenance problem or emergency occurs during the most turbulent of weather conditions.”
Ingalls cautions that beyond hiring a licensed electrician, it’s also imperative to select a company that has a 24-hour answering service, especially if a customer has a problem with their generator in the middle of a major power outage.
To anticipate the demand for its new division, Newington Electric has expanded into an additional 2,000 square feet of office warehouse space at its current facility located at 16 Progress Circle in Newington, CT. The company has also hired four additional staff members and is currently looking to add six additional electricians and certified generator technicians to its field staff. In addition, CT Home Generator Systems is negotiating with a well-known, well established national distributor of generators and is in the process of bringing in a new line of home generator systems to add to its inventory and selection.
.
For more helpful information on home generator systems, safety and installation, visit CTHomeGeneratorSystems.com or call toll-free: 855-667-4819;
Newington Electric Company is the parent company of Connecticut Home Generator Systems. Newington Electric offers statewide electrical contracting services specializing in commercial and residential electrical service and repairs. It is a second-generation company founded in 1958 by Richard Ingalls and is now owned and operated by his son Edward Ingalls. Newington Electric is State licensed and registered with the State of Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection. For more information www.newingtonelectriccompany.com or call 860-667-4819.
-###-
Back to News
