Generators

Some of the benefits of having a standby generator include:
Reliability — This type of generator will give you a reliable and constant supply of electricity (provided that you’re hooked up to a gas line), which can be helpful during a power outage. It will also give you the peace of mind in knowing that even if the power goes out, you can continue with your daily activities. They will run 24/7, so you will always be covered. This can be important if you lose your power during a storm.
Convenience — By having this kind of generator installed in your home, it will automatically turn on and supply electricity in a matter of milliseconds. So, you will barely notice the transition. It will also turn itself off and go back into standby mode once the power comes back on.

Some other advantages of a standby generator include the following:
It works when you’re not at home — You can go to work and know that everything will be on at home. Your food will stay chilled, and your lights will be on when you come back. Your security systems will also keep running if there’s a power outage while you’re on vacation.
It adds value to your home — It may be expensive, but having this type of generator will add value to your home once it has been installed.
Be sure to speak to an expert for more information.

Think about what type of appliances you need to keep running during a power outage, and look at their labels to see how much wattage they use. Once you have that information, add it all up and look for a generator that can handle it. If you need more wattage or your area gets a lot of outages, you might want to look at getting a standby generator. But if you’re thinking about getting a portable generator, you should think about the fuel type and cost. You will also need to keep a lot of fuel on hand, so you can run the generator without interruption for more than a few hours.

Portable generators can usually cost from $300 to $1,000, while standby generators will cost a lot more. Standby generators need to be installed by a professional, but these costs are often included in the final price. A portable generator will need to have a constant supply of fuel to run, so this is one ongoing cost you need to consider.

Each fuel type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Gasoline is easy to find, but it’s very flammable. So, it can be dangerous to stock large amounts of it. It also doesn’t last very long if it sits around without being used. Propane has a longer shelf life, but the tanks they’re stored in can be large and can take up a great deal of space. Diesel is the least flammable fuel type. But while it has a longer shelf life than gasoline, it will most likely become unusable after approximately two years.

If they’re taken care of properly, generators can last for decades. So, having one can save you money over the long term. Standby generators usually need a great deal of regular maintenance, especially if they’re being used for long periods of time. But if you inspect it on a regular basis, you’ll be able to replace any parts that have worn out, clean out any dirty filters, and keep your generators in good condition.

It will be different for every homeowner, but your generator should be sized according to the electrical load it needs to carry. Unless you need to do a whole house transfer, the size of your home doesn’t matter that much. Neither does the size of the electrical service feeding into it. The only thing that matters is what you plan on running during an outage.

Air-cooled generators run at about 66dB at 20 feet, which means you can have a regular conversation between two people standing next to a running air-cooled generator. Most backup generators are designed to run in residential neighborhoods.

You will most likely need a building permit to install a backup generator. Installers should be able to coordinate with your local building department to find out how local building codes are interpreted in your jurisdiction. They should already be familiar with what your building inspector requires. They should also be able to secure any necessary permits and HOA approvals. They can even attend meetings on your behalf if it’s needed.

You will have to keep your generator maintained to make sure it will run reliably for a long time. It’s not an air conditioning unit or furnace that can go for years without service. It’s being used to generate electricity, so its maintenance requirements will be different. You should have your generator serviced once a year — that is, unless you have any additional needs (such as the operation of medical equipment).

A transfer switch is a sensor and switch that changes your home’s source of power when a blackout occurs. Some generators and inverters have built-in transfer switches, or there may be a standalone component that has been included in your home’s breaker box, meter, or grid tie-in. This can be an important part of any backup system, especially if you keep your power on when you’re not around.

A portable generator is powered by gas or propane, so it burns fuel to provide electrical power. A generator’s engine drives an alternator, which generates electricity. You can also plug in tools and electrical appliances through the unit’s control panel.

Inverter generators use advanced electrical technology to produce the cleanest and most stable form of electrical power output. They’re the best choice for powering equipment with sensitive electronic components (such as microchips). They can adjust their engine speed according to the power demand, and they produce power through a computer-controlled process. Because of their embedded technology, inverter generators are lighter, quieter, and more fuel-efficient than conventional generators.

Running watts refer to the amount of power that a generator can continuously produce. Starting watts refer to the amount of power it can briefly produce without triggering its circuit breakers. They mostly apply to inductive loads, which have anything with an electrical motor.

One of the biggest differences has to do with the number of steps needed to get power flowing into your home during a power outage. With a portable generator, you’ll have to transport it, start it up, and connect it to your power inlet box. Once that’s done, you must use your transfer switch to swap your home’s power source from the main line to the generator. Standby generators will automatically turn themselves on and off during a power outage.

Dual fuel generators can run on either gasoline or propane. You can choose to run it at full power (gasoline) or on a dated but more eco-friendly power source (propane). Compared to gasoline, propane is cleaner because it has less carbon content and burns more cleanly. These types of generators can be useful when gasoline isn’t as accessible or when you need to store fuel for long-term use. Unlike gasoline, propane doesn’t degrade over time.

An electric start is not required to run a portable generator, but it can make things more convenient. You won’t have to pull a cord to get your generator’s engine running. With an electric start, you can start the generator by turning a key, flipping a switch, or pressing a button (depending on the design). You will, however, need to have a charged battery to use an electric start.