Vacation Home Improvement: Generator

POWER/ELECTRICITY … It’s A Good Thing!!

On island, power can be a bit… well, unpredictable. Locals often joke with their famous “WAPA comments” (that’s the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority, for those not in the know). Whether it’s a passing storm, routine maintenance, or just a mysterious island quirk, the electricity can—and will—go out. It’s simply part of island life. This vacation home improvement is kind of a must-have.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t overly excited about installing a generator at Casa de Vista. Unlike a bold new paint color or a fresh splash of décor, this upgrade isn’t exactly fun or flashy. But it is power—literally. Electricity keeps the lights on, runs the appliances, powers the hair dryers, and, most importantly, keeps the fans and air conditioning humming. So yes… even if it’s not pretty, a generator is definitely something to get excited about.

When we began planning Casa de Vista as a vacation rental, we knew a generator wasn’t optional—it was essential. It’s an investment not just for our comfort but also for our guests’ peace of mind. And the best part? When the power blinks out, the generator’s transfer switch kicks in automatically—no scrambling for candles or lanterns. When WAPA finally comes back on, the generator quietly switches off again. Simple, seamless, and one less thing to worry about while you’re on vacation.

Trenches for cables to Transfer Switch for Generator
Trenches for cables to transfer switch
Propane tank lifted into place for Generator install at Casa de Vista
Propane tank lifted into place
Generator install at Casa de Vista
Woohoo … Generator Installed

No matter the issue, weather, or WAPA, the bottom line is that we needed a generator. In June of 2023, 4 years into our journey of owning our vacation rental, we took the plunge … LET THERE BE POWER/ELECTRICITY AT CASA DE VISTA!!

Brian reminds me all the time, “Best $10,000 we ever spent!!”

And to paraphrase a past guest … “thank you for investing in a generator – best improvement to your property!”

Thank You … We Think So too!!

TAKEAWAYS for Generator Purchase:

  • Generator – YES!! Start planning!! Decide what works best for your vacation rental.
  • Automatic Transfer Switch – Convenience for you and your guests.
  • Propane-run Generator or Diesel-run Generator – Do your research. Which one is going to work best for your home? (We chose the Propane-run Generator because it is quieter, has less smoke/diesel smell, and is less expensive to install.) But that was us …
  • DO YOUR RESEARCH!!

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