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Tips in Choosing the Right Home Power Generator
Usually, when one sets out to look for a power generator, he ends up
confused and perplexed. There are just too many home power
generators nowadays that come in various shapes, sizes, models and
prices coming from different manufacturers and retailers. More often
than not, instead of going home with a home power generator, one
ends up going home with nothing other than more confusion.
To prevent this from happening to you, make sure you cover all the
tips discussed in this article.
You should first consider generator sizing.
Since the main purpose of a home power generator is to supply electricity, the first thing you should ask yourself is the amount of electricity you usually need at home. Generally, medium-sized homes between 1000-3000 square feet will need a generator that can supply 12-15 kilo-Watts (kW). This will be used for emergency whole-home power backup. Some may want to consider a smaller portable unit that they can simply run an extension cord from to operate a refrigerator or other critical piece of equipment.
Use the sizing chart below to help estimate your power needs. Of course, your needs may vary due to the size of your appliances and home, so be sure to check the appliance manufacture's actual power requirements.
Sound
How noisy is the unit? Of course, since you will be using the electric generator at home, you do not want it to be loud and noisy. As much as possible, you would want it to function with minimal noise so you can enjoy the comforts of your home without getting disturbed by your generator.
Fuel Supply
You will have to determine what type of fuel you're generator will be running on. There are many types of fuel available today. You can either use diesel, gas, propane or natural gas. You might also want to check out the size of the tank so you can gauge how many hours of operating time it can give you.
Stationary vs Portability
You might want to consider the local building codes for your area to determine if a stationary generator can be installed on your lot. Another option is to provide a portable generator that can be connected only when the power is to be out for an extended period of time. NOTE: NEVER connect a portable generator directly into the home’s electrical system without the proper safeguards in place! Danger of electrocution and property damage exist when doing so!
Weather Protection
If you plan to operate your power generator in inclement weather, consider getting one with a protected control panel. The control panel of your generator must be protected from rain, dust, and other debris.
Outlets
In order to ensure the safety of your home, ask yourself if you have enough outlets available to handle everything you need. Make sure that they are protected by a circuit breaker to prevent fire accidents from happening.
As a whole, buying a home power generator is not as puzzling as you think it is if you only know what to look for in one. The team at Scotty Electric can help you with any questions pertaining to Generator Installation and many other electrical services. You can go to our home generator page for more information or call us at 918-363-8060!
