Facts you must know before you buy a generator
Every time a storm or a hurricane is passing over, many homes in the US dread one thing the most. Apart from the potential damage to their property and assets, it is a power outage that scares them. Over the past decade, many homes across the United States had to deal with major power outages for long hours, even for many days at a stretch.
A practical solution to deal with this problem is to invest in a good generator.
However, it is not easy to zero in on the right one, with so many types of generators vying for your attention and each one offering a complex set of features and benefits that you, as a first-time buyer, may find tough to decode.
This article will guide you in making the right choice for buying the best generator.
Before we delve into the types of generators, let’s get an overview of what generators are and how they help in power outage situations.
Generators Explained
Generators are backup power sources. They are designed to provide you with the comfort and convenience of uninterrupted power supply when the main source of power is interrupted for any reason. In most cases, you can use all your electronics and appliances with the right backup power resource.
Types of Generators
So, what are the different types of generators on the market?
Here’s the list:
Portable Generators
Portable generators are easy to handle and move around. They are powered by gas or diesel fuel. The components include an internal combustion engine, a starter, an alternator, a fuel tank, and outlets.
- They are small in size, have limited power, and can run a few of your vital home gadgets such as the lights, and TV.
- They offer a temporary solution with limited power options.
- They operate manually and must be refilled as and when the fuel runs out.
Because of features like being light in weight and offering easy mobility, these generators are ideal for use in places such as construction sites where they can be easily taken from one spot to another to fix things. The outlets allow for plugging in extension cords or appliances for greater convenience to the user.
Standby Generators
Standby generators are larger than the portable variety and best-suited for residential use. They can generate and deliver more power and operate in automatic mode. It acts as a permanent backup power source and can be installed by a professional electrician at a spot in your home where it can serve your power needs most efficiently.
- Standby generators are designed to power high-wattage appliances in your home, such as your stove, fridge, and even ACs.
- You can choose whole house standby generators to serve the power needs of a medium or large home easily.
- You can run nearly everything in your home and will hardly feel any loss of power during outages.
Buying the right one may involve some challenges as you will have to take into account the size of your home, the appliances you need to run simultaneously, and your budget.
Inverter Generators
Inverter generators are preferred by many people because they work noiselessly and help meet the power requirements of homes in a smart way. They offer limited power capability and can be used to run lights, fans, and smartphones.
- They are lightweight.
- An alternator converts AC to DC power to be stored and discharged when the main supply is off.
Inverter generators can be a viable option if you are looking to run limited equipment and appliances that do not guzzle power.
Generators Powered By Fuel
You can also consider buying fuel-type generators for use at homes and commercial establishments during power outages.
The choices are:
Gasoline
You can choose from a large range of options.
The benefits:
- Gasoline is easily available.
- Gasoline generators are the least expensive of the lot.
The downside:
- Gasoline may not be easily available during a power outage.
- Gasoline is flammable and cannot be stored for long.
- They release a lot of emissions which can be a health hazard.
Diesel
Diesel-powered generators last longer than gas-powered ones.
The benefits:
- Diesel isn’t as flammable as gasoline.
- It is easily accessible.
- It lasts longer and hence offers better value for money.
The downside:
- Stored diesel has a limited shelf life.
- Not easily available at a pump during outages
- High emission restricts the time you can run these generators continuously
Propane Gas
Propane generators are cleaner and they work quietly too.
The benefits:
- Lasts longer in storage.
- Available easily even during a power outage.
- Releases fewer emissions.
The downside:
- As gas lines are involved, installation costs are high.
- They are highly inflammable and non-portable.
- These generators are not fuel-efficient.
Natural Gas
Natural gas can be used in both portable and other types of generators.
The benefits:
- It burns cleanly and offers greater efficiency.
- Does not produce strong odors.
The downside:
- Hard to access the fuel during an outage.
- They are highly flammable and potentially explosive.
- This type of generator is expensive.
Now that you have all the information you need about various types of generators, you can make an informed buying decision. It will help you stay better prepared for the next outage.
Never Suffer a Power Outage in Northwest Georgia Again with a Home Generator Installation from Phoenix Electrical, an authorized Generac Dealer.
