For many, power outages can be common, leading to multiple follow-up costs for homeowners. If devices like the refrigerator are left without power for long periods of time, the food they contain is likely to become spoiled and inedible. You will also be sitting in the dark as evening approaches and can even face flooding if the pumps in your home fail due to a lack of power. Depending on the cause of the failure, some can last several days or, in the worst case, weeks.
Choosing the right generator for your needs is critical to ensuring that you will have a reliable source of power in the event of a failure. Since there are many models, understanding which one you need can be difficult, especially for those who are not familiar with such devices. Below we've created a guide to help you choose the right generator for your home. For full details of the different types on the market, see https://powersupplyplus.com/.
The generator type
For household use there is two different types of generators available; a portable generator and a standby generator. A gas-powered generator can be connected to the devices or the control panel and can vary in price depending on the power rating. While this type of generator can power multiple devices, it will be difficult to power the entire house. Depending on the model, they can usually deliver between 1 kW and 15 kW of power and power the most critical devices in the house. A standby generator, often referred to as a backup generator for the whole house, runs on natural gas or propane. In contrast to portable generators, a standby generator is automatically put into operation as soon as a power failure is detected. Here, too, the price for this type of generator can vary depending on the power output. Standby generators provide more KW of power for all devices in the house and for operating the lighting.
Your performance requirements
To determine which generator you need, you need to consider your electricity needs. The devices in your home have a label that shows each watt. Some have starting watts that need to be added to the total watts. Decide which devices you need and which you want in the event of a power failure. Make a list of the performance of each item. When you have listed all the devices you need, add the power and multiply the number you get by 1.5. This number then indicates the minimum power of the generator that you need. As you compile your list, make sure that it includes all of the essential elements and devices. You will be able to survive for a few days without some, but others will be more of a necessity.
The performance
As you can see, the power of a generator is given in watts, and this power can vary between models. In addition to calculating the power of the devices, you also need to assess whether they have starting wattage requirements, since these devices require a generator with a higher wattage. Also, give yourself headroom by opting for a generator with 20% more power than the estimated amount. For example, if the total output of all devices is 5000 watts, do not limit yourself by investing in a device with exactly this output, but in a device with at least 20% more. If you try to operate too many devices on the generator than the power allows, this will likely lead to an overload. As a result, your devices and the generator itself will be damaged. You will likely need a generator of at least 7,500 watts to power most appliances, although one device around 12,000 watts is better at powering an entire house. These are not exact numbers to base your selection on, but rather the overall performance of your devices.
The type of fuel
As you scroll through the choices of different units, you are probably wondering whether a Petrol or diesel Model will be better tailored to your needs. There are important differences between each one and this will likely help you decide. Although diesel generators tend to have a higher up-front cost, they are usually a less expensive long-term solution and also tolerate regular use. Gasoline generators can be used in both domestic and commercial applications and are often the most popular source of fuel. This type of fuel is also great value for money. Liquid propane gas generators are another popular alternative, and this fuel source is widely used to power standby home and portable generators. Natural gas and LPG generators are also considered to be greener and more sustainable because they burn cleaner.
The length of the blackouts
The frequency with which power outages occur and the length of time they last can help you choose the type of generator you need. If you have frequent and prolonged downtime, you need a larger appliance to power your entire household, especially those deemed essential in those cases. A home standby or a large inverter or portable generator are best suited for this situation. If there are occasional outages but not enough to justify the cost of an expensive device, then you will likely need a large inverter generator or a portable generator. However, if a power outage happens infrequently, you may want to go for a medium-sized generator as you probably won't need such a demanding use of the device.
The durability
Your generator will be used outdoors, so it must be built to withstand the elements. It is important to choose a model that is built to be sturdy, especially if you live in a location that is exposed to a lot of harsh weather. Otherwise the functionality of the device may be impaired. Some will handle wet weather better than others, so it is important to keep this in mind when browsing the various models.
