One of the very best residential safety decisions one can make is purchasing a home generator. In the event of a crisis, generators can save food from spoiling, provide much needed heat, and even save lives. It should be understood that standby generators vary greatly, and finding the perfect one for your home is vital for such a significant purchase. Finding this perfect generator is based primarily on your own needs and preferences, with a special focus on convenience and potential use. A home generator is no small expense, and the safety importance makes this decision one of great importance, and one must do the necessary research for the safety of your loved ones. Through expert advice and thorough research, this guide outlines the basics anyone should know when selecting a home generator. Here are a few great tips for selecting your very own home generator.
Fuel Selection:
Choosing a home generator should begin first with a look at the type of fuel source you will use to power the generator. Selecting a generator’s fuel supply is heavily based on convenience and practicality. Backup home generators run on natural gas, propane, and gasoline. Each type of fuel has its own benefits and drawbacks, but this selection begins first with which types are readily available. The most convenient type of fuel is dependent on your own situation. Natural gas is a great selection for areas where the local energy company provides this fuel type already. Propane can be found in abundance in some areas while being extremely deficient in others, which should heavily guide your choice. Gasoline is often a convenient choice, as there are gas stations nearly everywhere.
Portable generators usually only run on only one type of fuel source, but automatic standby generators are more versatile regarding fuel selection. Depending on the model, a backup emergency generator can operate on an assortment of fuel sources, and some can even convert back and forth from one to another. These special models are called bi-fuel generators. Portable generators can typically utilize only one type of these fuels, but are versatile in other ways. The difference between portable and automatic standby generators is very important, and will be discussed in greater detail later.
Home Generator Brand Name:
There are several home generator companies that are renowned for their quality and service. These companies stand far above the competition and are extremely popular. As with any purchase, it is important to choose a brand name that has a high level of customer satisfaction. Home generators are a large and important purchase that protects your home and family, making brand name very significant. Certain brand names are reliable, durable, and seem to go the extra mile with regard to their product. One looking to purchase a home generator should conduct their own research into the companies that are most reputable. Take special care to take a look at company ratings, customer reviews, and business awards. Make sure you know where you are getting your generator and understand the warranty that the company offers with its product.
Power Needs:
Before buying a generator it is important to figure out how much power you will need in the event of natural disasters such as hurricanes, blackouts, and other natural disasters. This is perhaps the most essential decision you will make regarding your home generator. If your home generator is not equipped to handle your home’s power output, it very well could malfunction. Fortunately, this is a pretty simple exercise. Home generators power all the appliances in your home in the event of a disaster, so your power needs are equivalent to the sum power total of all of these appliances. Add up the total kilowatts found on all the appliances you will want to run, and then add a few kilowatts to ensure some breathing room. This number will provide you with a general figure you can use to select the appropriate home generator for your power needs. Make sure to double check to ensure all of your calculations are accurate.
Portable vs. Standby Generators
Portable power generators are perfect for many recreational uses, and can also be used in some emergency situations. These portable generators are inexpensive and are great to take camping, for use in a recreational vehicle, and for temporary power outages. While portable generators are not ideal for emergency purposes, owning one will cut down on cost while providing a measure of safety. Portable generators are very versatile and can perform many tasks, but they have some serious drawbacks with regards to emergency situations. Automatic standby generators are recommended for residential safety because they act immediately, without human intervention, which make them much more reliable than portable generators in a pinch. While automatic backup generators may be more expensive, the extra piece of mind they bring can be well worth it. A home backup generator will run for an unlimited amount of time because it is connected to a permanent power supply. Automatic home generators will also automatically start up and turn off with an automatic transfer switch, and is a long-term source of reliable, protected backup power.
Standby gensets under 20 kilowatts are generally air-cooled, while those operating above 20 kilowatts are liquid cooled. The typical home with central air conditioning equipment as large as 4 tons usually needs a 14-15kW generator. For a 5-ton device, you may need a 15kW generator like the Guardian 17/16kW model 05873. It is well known that the Generac Guardian series offers the lowest cost per kilowatt of any device. This series is one of a few select top brands in the range of 10kW to 20kW systems, and these Acer notebooks are considered cost-effective for any office or home solution. Every one of Generac’s brand new home generators are now carb-compliant, which can be essential for some select states like California. Other good options are the Kholer 20RESAL, which once received a “best buy “rating coming from a leading magazine.
For more info go to: www.NPSGenerac.com