Home / Home Exterior / A Buyer’s Guide to Residential Power Generator

A Buyer’s Guide to Residential Power Generator

Photo by: Bigstockphoto
Photo by: Bigstockphoto

Power grid failure has become increasingly common especially down south of the US. Don’t wait until the power is out to do something about it! It pays to be prepared especially if you live in a tornado or hurricane-prone area.

A power generator makes a sound investment especially if you are located in an area where power failure is common. In today’s post, we are listing down all the important factors you need to consider when searching for the best residential power generator for you:

Power Generator Features to Consider

Reliability

Do note that power generators are sold by wattage. So to choose the right power generator for you, you need to know how much power you need. You can go online and check your wattage needs using a wattage calculator. From there, you will get an idea what type of residential generator to get.

Portability

Is the power generator strictly for home use or would you use it to power other buildings too? Some power generators are compact and fitted with wheels, others aren’t. The kind of power generator to get will also depend on where you need power. Do note that most generators do not come with their own batteries. You’d have to pay extra for the batteries. The same thing goes for the wheels. Units with wheels are typically more expensive than power generators without wheels.

Overheating

Here’s a surprise: power generators could overheat home appliances. That’s why it’s critical to determine if the unit you got delivers the right power. For home use, power generators that deliver 3,000 to 8,500 watts should be enough to power electric appliances with no problem at all.

Types of Power Generator for Home Use

Portable Power Generator

Portable power generators are compact in size and delivers around 3,000 to 8,500 watts. These units are perfect for small to mid-sized homes. An average unit will set you back $400 to $1,000. The unit is available in gasoline or liquid propane. However, some units that can be connected to a natural gas line. Although this power generator can power most home appliances, it cannot provide power for central air conditioning and other appliances that require a lot of voltage. Portable generators usually come with wheels for mobility.

Stationary Generator

Stationary generators are larger, more powerful than their portable counterparts. These power generators put out about 5,000 to 20,000 watts. They can power entire houses, including heat and air conditioning systems. A professional should only install this unit. A stationary power generator will set you back $5,000 to $10,000.

Choosing the Right Power Generator for You

When it comes to choosing what power generator you need at home, consider the following factors: what you need to power, the fuel, and features.

If you need power to run your entire home systems – including central heating and air conditioning system – then you need a more powerful unit. If you expect the power generator to operate 24/7 then consider what type of fuel to get for the unit. Remember, buying and storing fuel is tricky and expensive.

As far as features go, you want power generators that provide all the nifty features you need to maximize power. Some units come with an auto fuel shut off, an important feature that will save you money on fuel costs. The safety of the design is also critical to picking the right power generator for your home.


Facebook Fan Page

Be first to get an exclusive and helpful articles every day! Like us on Facebook