Sharron and David Dorman

For the Dormans, It’s All About Peace of Mind

After years of living in the quiet coastal community of Pointe-du-Chêne, Sharron and David Dorman had become used to the benefit of their secondary breaker panel, which allowed them to run a few basic appliances with their generator. They couldn’t watch TV or use the internet, but at least they weren’t cold.

Eventually, the Dormans decided it was time to find a new house better suited for two people. After some searching, they settled on a bungalow in Riverview. The only problem: They no longer had a secondary panel. With both Sharron and David working from home full-time, this created some anxiety. If the power went out, they would be left in the dark. But with the cost of installing a new panel, they didn’t know what to do.

That’s when David heard out about the SureConnect rental service. After some research, it was clear this was the right approach for them. “The idea of NB power installing it and maintaining it made it a quick and easy solution for us,” says David. “I didn’t think twice about it as I knew the alternative was getting a secondary electrical panel, which is very costly. The end goal was security, safety, and no extension cords”.

Trained technicians installed a GenerLink device directly onto the Dorman’s meter, allowing for easy, extension cord-free use of a generator.

David appreciates the direct wiring, as it also allows access to their entire electrical panel. “It’s really ‘plug-and-play,’" says David. "Turn off the breakers, fire up the generator, and turn on the things you want to use”.

During installation, the electrician walked David through the steps on how to use the device, including how to safely choose which appliances will stay on while the generator is running. For David and Sharron, this allows them to power the gas range, refrigerator, freezer, microwave, toaster oven, computer, and heat. And if they want to adjust that, it's easy as flipping a switch. They appreciate this flexibility. It allows them to use the TV and lights during the evening - something they couldn’t do at their previous home.

Along with being easy to use, they also wanted to be comfortable if an outage happened. “Comfort is important," says Sharron. "SureConnect will keep the heat level right, allow me to operate the important things, and make the power outage more enjoyable," she says. "It won’t be as stressful. We’ll be able to read, use the computer, and communicate with others.”

“For the price, it’s security,” Sharron adds. “If you’re out of power and you lose a freezer full of food or your pipes freeze, it can be costly.”

At 75, both Sharron and David still enjoy working and work from home. Now they’ll be able to continue working, even if the power goes out. “I feel like we’re going to be able to live a normal day even in a power outage because of this technology,” says David.

“It’s worth it for the peace of mind it provides.”  Sharron Dorman - SureConnect subscriber