Electricity may not be an immediate need for human existence, but it is necessary for human comfort. Owning a residential generator is vital if you want to secure your house from a power shortage. Long periods of power loss are very inconvenient and probably unsafe, especially during cold winter months. During a blackout, a residential generator keeps essential electrical appliances in your house running despite electricity loss. Most importantly, those people who rely on medical equipment. It works by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy.
There are two major types of residential generators: permanent standby or portable generators. Portable generators that are run by gasoline are the cheapest. But they have shorter running time, and you need to refill their gas tanks now and then. This is not as dependable as long-term power back up since gas pumps might not work during blackouts. On the other hand, Permanent standby can give continuous power since they are directly attached or hooked to an external fuel source, such as an external gas line. A portable generator can also be connected to an external source, thus extending running hours. However, before choosing the best option, you need to evaluate your electrical uses and needs for the generator.
1. Know your budget to determine how much money you can spend on a generator.
2. Assess the power loss that is happening in your area. How many times in one day does your town usually lose power? A smaller generator is suitable if you don't experience frequent power shortages. If you lose power most of the time and long hours, a permanent standby generator is a reliable back up.
3. Know the electrical items inside your house that is necessary to be "on" all the time. This will be most likely to include medical equipment, major appliances, and lights.
4. Overloading your generator can cause damage to it or the motors of the appliances you are using. So before you buy one, you need to add the wattage required to run each of the devices you listed and double the number to be sure.
5. Choose between portable or permanent standby generator is more suitable in your area. Permanent standby is more expensive but is connected straight to your home's electrical system making them more user-friendly. On the other hand, portable generators are less expensive, and you can move them anywhere.
6. Decide which fuel you prefer or is readily available in your area. Choices include diesel, natural gas, gasoline, and propane.
7. Consider the extra features that you want, including the warranty. Features may include an electric start, a shutdown when the oil is low and shut down when the generator overheats. Lastly, decide if you want to purchase an extended warranty for your generator.
Do not forget that there is more to buying a residential generator than its cost. Consider it a significant investment you have to make. So, choose wisely before you consider purchasing your very own generator.