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Why I Went with the Generac Whole-Home Generator

Pete Thomson — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 07:09:20 +0000

I’ve always had a bit of “prepper” in me. Being in the broadcasting business for many years taught me the value of “redundancy” when it came to systems and equipment. After all, we had to be on the air at all costs. Even earlier in 1968, when two F-5 category tornadoes devastated my hometown of Charles City, Iowa, I learned about the value of everyday luxuries such as power and potable water that are easy to take for granted. However, one event stands alone as my inspiration to get a back-up power source for my home, The Texas power grid failure of 2021. Up to that 3-day total loss of power, the longest failure I had experienced as under 4 hours. 3 Days of no heat, electricity and hot water inspired me to find a solution for ‘next time.’

As of October, I’m ready for ‘next time’. After doing a deep dive into several options available for homeowners, my solution is a 26-KW Generac Whole-Home Generator from Generator Supercenter of Denton, TX. Their 26-KW unit is large enough to handle all the systems in my home, including radio studios and other mission critical gear. Now, instead of waiting for Oncor to fix an outage, I’m back up within 30 seconds of losing power.

Why Generac Whole-Home Generator

There are several options for homeowners looking for backup power. They include solar, battery, small gas-powered units, and fuel cells. I opted for a propane powered whole-home solution for several reasons:

Reliability: These generators provide consistent power during outages, ensuring that critical systems like heating, cooling, and medical equipment remain operational.
Convenience: Automated systems eliminate the need for manual setup, offering a seamless transition to backup power.
Scalability: Whole-home generators can be sized to meet the specific energy needs of any household, from small homes to large estates.
Fuel Options: Natural gas and propane are widely available and provide long runtimes compared to battery storage solutions.
Resale Value: Homes equipped with standby generators often see an increase in resale value, particularly in areas prone to outages.

I looked at several brands of generators prior to making my buying decision. I picked 26-KW Generac Whole-Home Generator and Generator Supercenter for several reasons. Generac generators have been highly rated by Consumer Reports for several years. Beyond that, Generator Supercenter is the largest installer of Generac generators in the US. As client of Generator Supercenter my generator is monitored 24/7 and tested every 7 days. This level of monitoring and customer service was not available with other companies I researched.

To learn more about why I picked Generac & The Generator Supercenter of Denton, listen to The Consumer Team, Saturday 6-8 PM on 1080 KRLD in Dallas-Ft. Worth.

HVAC Repairs or Replacement – Pump The Brakes Before Spending Big Bucks!

Thomas Henderson — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 07:15:04 +0000

This scenario plays out every day across Dallas/Ft. Worth. You’re without heat or air conditioning. You’re uncomfortable and the first HVAC tech you call says either you need expensive repairs or a total replacement of your HVAC system. Before you ‘sign on the dotted line’ watch our Consumer Team Alert with Brian Remington from The On Time Experts.

Cars For Kids….Awesome Cause & Financial Integrity

Pete Thomson — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 06:17:31 +0000

(DALLAS-FT. WORTH, TEXAS – Consumer Team News) We’ve been critical of non-profits through the years on The Consumer Team. Seemingly great causes fall short of achieving their charitable objectives because of bad money management which often takes the form of high administrative costs. On Consumer Team, we support Cars For Kids. They have an awesome cause, a decades-long track record of success and they are top rated for the percentage of each gift that goes to direct support of their cause. In fact, Cars For Kids was the first non-profit to promote the donation of unneeded and unused vehicles for a cause. Through the Texas Can Academies, Cars For Kids helps at-risk kids get a high school diploma, which opens doors of opportunity and reduces the likelihood of a life in poverty. One of the things I appreciate the most about Cars For Kids is their presence right here in our community. I recently donated a vehicle and was able to see how my donation impacted a number of Kids in North Texas. Learn about my experience in the video below, and then think about that vehicle you don’t need any more and put it to work for the Kids. And remember, “Write off the car….not the Kid!”

The Consumer Team is broadcast Saturdays from 6-8 PM on 1080 KRLD in Dallas/Ft. Worth. To donate to Cars For Kids click here.

On Time Experts Save Christmas at Pete’s House

Pete Thomson — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 08:02:15 +0000

(DALLAS-FT. WORTH TEXAS – Consumer Team News) Twas two nights before Christmas, when like the good homeowner, I was checking all my outside hose bibs to make sure they were wrapped and insulated in preparation for another Texas deep freeze that was to hit by the next day, December 23rd. The hose bibs were secure but I made another startling discovery that caused me to immediately call the team at The On Time Experts. Check out the video below to learn the ‘rest of the story‘ and why I’m so glad that I’m a member of the “Front-of-the-Line Club” at The On Time Experts.

Pete Thomson from The Consumer Team on KRLD talks about how The On Time Experts “Saved” Christmas!

Consumer Team Welcomes Cars For Kids

Pete Thomson — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 05:18:56 +0000

(DALLAS-FT. WORTH, TEXAS — CONSUMER TEAM NEWS)

There are good and bad actors in every industry. The charity world is no exception. However, in the charity world identifying charities that aren’t worthy of your donation is a little tricky. Flashy websites, catchy jingles and celebrity endorsers often make an ad campaign effective, but they’re not an indicator that a charity is doing a good job of using the money they receive to help others.

On the Consumer Team we’re thrilled to be working with Cars For Kids. Based in Dallas-Ft. Worth, they help at-risk kids in North Texas graduate from high school through the Texas Can Academies. We love the fact that this team is focusing on kids in North Texas. In addition, the ratings they get from charity watchdogs is equally impressive. Groups like GuideStar.org and GreatNonProfits.org look beyond the flash and fancy commercials to rate nonprofits on how efficiently they operate. For credible non-profits like Cars For Kids, a high percentage of each donated dollar reaches people in need.

In the case of Cars For Kids, they amazingly turn donated vehicles into cash to help North Texas kids graduate from high school. These are kids who, because of life & family challenges, have had their high school years interrupted. Many find themselves at a crossroads. Cars For Kids help these young people at a time when they could easily head into adulthood without a high school diploma. Studies show that upwards of 30% of students who don’t get a high school diploma live in poverty. And to no surprise, similar statistics correlate the relationship between crime and not graduating from high school.

Every week on our program, we’re joined by the leadership of Cars For Kids. CEO Colin Weatherwax and Director of Marketing Raul Machuca Jr. are both in-the-trenches every day and give us valuable insight into the important work being done at Cars For Kids. Listen Saturdays 6-8 PM on 1080 KRLD for Consumer Team segments on Cars For Kids. To donate a vehicle or make a cash contribution, go to www.carsforkids.org or call 866-835-5437.

Blue Nail Roofing Offers “Lifetime Workmanship Warranty” to North Texas Customers

Pete Thomson — Mon, 30 May 2022 06:39:46 +0000

(DALLAS/FT. WORTH, TEXAS) Blue Nail Roofing has announced a new warranty program to North Texas customers that is a consumer first. Eric Thomason, owner of Blue Nail Roofing, made the announcement while doing an interview on The Consumer Team on 1080 KRLD.

Pete Thomson, host of The Consumer Team, said he’s never heard of this level of protection for a customer. He said, “Most warranties in the roofing business cover defective materials. This is the first time that I’ve heard a roofing company provide this level of protection for a consumer. It’s a reflection of the quality of the contractors that Eric has on his team. Many of these folks have been with him for years.”

Eric Thomason, a second generation roofing professional, said giving customers peace of mind is important. He added, “We’re excited to offer this level of protection to our new roofing customers at Blue Nail. We’re big believers in on-going training with our team members. Our lifetime workmanship warranty is a reflection of our confidence and trust in our employees.”

The Consumer Team was the first sponsor of The Consumer Team when it launched in 2011. Thomson called Blue Nail Roofing a standard setting business on the program. He said, “Eric and his team recognized the value that Consumer Team wants to bring to the airwaves of Dallas-Ft. Worth every week. As our anchor and flagship sponsor, they set a ‘high bar’ for all of our sponsors and our program.”

The Consumer Team is broadcast Saturdays from 6 to 8 PM on 1080 KRLD Radio.

Avoid the #1 HVAC Rip Off

Pete Thomson — Sun, 29 May 2022 00:10:37 +0000

(Dallas/Ft. Worth Texas) If you’re being pitched that you need to replace an HVAC system, we recommend that you pump-the-brakes and get a second opinion. I recently interviewed Brian Remington, General Manager of the On Time Experts, who estimates that 50% of the consumers don’t need a total unit replacement. He added, “We recently met with a customer who had been told their AC was beyond repair. As it turned out, a wire was loose and needed to be reconnected.” In addition to the rip-offs, Remington says many units being written off as ‘too old’ can last for several more years with proper maintenance. He added, “If an HVAC system is properly cleaned and serviced every year, its lifetime can often be extended. They key is to have a cleaning and servicing done at least once per year.”

Thomson recently recorded a Consumer Team Alert that is airing on Dallas-Ft. Worth radio and television stations. The message urges consumers to delay purchasing a new HVAC system in favor of getting a second opinion from The On Time Experts.

(Editor’s Note: Pete Thomson is a consumer advocate based in the Dallas-Ft. Worth market. His weekly radio program, The Consumer Team, is broadcast Saturdays, 6-8 PM on 1080 KRLD Radio.)

Consumer Team Welcomes BBB Dallas to KRLD

Pete Thomson — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 00:47:07 +0000

(DALLAS-FT. WORTH, TEXAS — Consumer Team News) The Consumer Team recently announced the addition of Better Business Bureau Dallas representatives as on-air contributors to the Consumer Team talk radio program. Pete Thomson, founder of The Consumer Team, commented on the new on air collaboration. He said, “We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome BBB team members to The Consumer Team. They’ve already joined us for several interviews and they’ve brought very important consumer news to our program.”

Jay Neuman, President/CEO of BBB of Metro Dallas, and Phylissia Clark, Vice President of Communications of BBB of Metro Dallas, have appeared on The Consumer Team on KRLD commenting on a number of consumer scams. Newman covered scams relating to fake checks and puppies. Clark recently joined the program to comment on scams involving internet dating and romance websites and tax returns.

Thomson said that future collaboration with the Better Business Bureau is being planned. Thomson added, “The BBB and Consumer Team really compliment each other. From a programming and content perspective, the BBB’s resources are well respected and they have an impressive network that spans our country. In just the last few months, they’ve been able to bring several breaking consumer news stories to Consumer Team. ”

The Consumer Team in on the air in Dallas/Ft. Worth on 1080 KRLD Saturdays 6-8 PM and in Houston on 740 KTRH Sundays from 6-7 PM. The Consumer Team is produced by McQ Media, Dallas, Texas.

Consumer Team Interviews BBB’s Jay Newman Regarding Torch Awards

Pete Thomson — Sat, 06 Oct 2018 04:39:45 +0000

(DALLAS-FT. WORTH, TEXAS — Consumer Team News) Jay Newman, President of the Dallas Better Business Bureau, will join Pete Thomson on The Consumer Team for a series of interviews regarding the BBB Torch Awards for Ethics. The Torch Awards are presented annually to Dallas area companies who display an outstanding level of ethics and integrity in all of their business dealings.

Jay Newman – BBB Dallas

Pete Thomson, host of The Consumer Team, commented on The BBB Torch Awards. He said, “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome Jay Newman and his team to The Consumer Team on KRLD. We will be talking about the BBB’s vision for the Torch Awards and why they are important to the DFW marketplace.”

Thomson calls the Better Business Bureau an essential resource for consumers and businesses. He added, “In a marketplace filled with for profit consumer aggregators that are really the yellow pages, we believe the BBB serves a vital role for both businesses and consumers. They are non-profit and have a 100 year plus track record of protecting the consumer.”

For information on the BBB Torch Awards for ethics click here. The Consumer Team with Pete Thomson is broadcast Saturdays from 6-8 PM on 1080 KRLD in Dallas/Ft. Worth. In Houston, The Consumer Team is heard Saturday from 5-6 PM on 740 KTRH Radio. The Consumer Team is produced by McQ Media, Dallas, Texas.

Consumer Team Endorses Floors 4 Less in North Texas

Pete Thomson — Sun, 23 Sep 2018 04:51:28 +0000

(DALLAS-FT. WORTH, TEXAS — Consumer Team News) When it comes to flooring for your home or business in North Texas, The Consumer Team exclusively recommends Floors 4 Less. Consumer Team host Pete Thomson calls Floors 4 Less a great example of what Consumer Team is all about. Thomson said “Floors 4 Less combines the lowest price on flooring in Dallas-Ft. Worth along with exemplary service. This combination of best price and best service is rarely seen and I’m proud to have them on The Consumer Team.”

Floors 4 Less, according to Thomson, is able to offer DFW’s lowest price on flooring because they control their overhead. He added, “Eyhab and Sharif have done a terrific job of saving on operational costs and passing those savings onto the consumer. An example is sales commissions. Most retail flooring stores in North Texas pay relatively high commission to salespeople, which drives up the consumer’s price. At Floors 4 Less they cut this cost.”

Beyond offering the lowest price on flooring to North Texas consumers, Thomson says Floors 4 Less excels in customer service. Thomson added, “Eyhab Skaik and Sharif Asad, the owners of Floors 4 Less, are out on every job. Because of this, they can ensure that the highest quality job is being done for the customer. Our listeners love this aspect of working with Floors 4 Less.”

Floors 4 Less has 2 Metroplex locations in Rockwall and Frisco, but as Thomson adds, “because they bring the samples to the customer’s home, Floors 4 Less is everywhere in DFW.” Thomson urges Consumer Team listeners to shop online at www.floorsforlesstx.com and then call 214-304-6101 to speak with Eyhab or Sharif at Floors 4 Less.

The Consumer Team is broadcast Saturdays from 6-8 PM on 1080 KRLD Radio in Dallas-Ft. Worth. The Consumer Team with Pete Thomson is produced by McQ Media Inc.