We all want a candle nearby when the lights go out, but we can do you one better: a generator that kicks into gear and powers your entire home during an outage! Emergency power supply can be crucial during power outages, and having the best generator for home power outages ensures you stay comfortable and safe. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from calculating your power needs to understanding the different types of generators available. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just someone who wants to keep the lights on, we've got you covered with tips, tricks, and insights that will make you a generator guru in no time.
Determine your home’s power requirements before selecting a generator, ensuring you account for the combined wattage of essential appliances and surge wattages.
Familiarize yourself with the different types of home generators—portable, inverter, standby, and solar—to choose the one that best fits your needs and budget.
Prioritize safety by considering features like automatic CO shutoff, low-oil shutoff, and proper placement to avoid carbon monoxide risks.
Consider features like an automatic transfer switch for seamless power transition during outages.
Power outages can cause significant inconvenience and even danger, from spoiled food to loss of heating or cooling. A backup generator provides reliable emergency backup power when the grid goes down, ensuring essential appliances and devices continue to function. But how do you choose the best generator for your home power outage needs?
First, it’s vital to gauge your power requirements. This involves calculating the maximum combined wattage of essential appliances and devices, including surge wattages. For example, an average house typically requires between 5,000 to 7,500 watts to run critical equipment during a power outage. Knowing how much power you need will help you determine the size of the generator required.
Afterward, take into account the various kinds of generators on the market.
Portable generators
Inverter generators
Standby generators
Solar generators
For Arizona homeowners, who often face extreme weather conditions, a generator is an essential appliance that can provide electricity during power outages and ensure the smooth operation of critical systems. Imagine enduring the scorching heat of summer without air conditioning or losing all the food in your refrigerator because the power was out for hours.
Generators are not just about convenience; they can be lifesaving for those with special medical needs or living in remote locations. However, choosing the right generator can be overwhelming with so many options available. This guide aims to give you the knowledge needed to make an informed decision, ensuring you select a generator that meets your specific power needs and safety requirements.
Power outages in the U.S. have become more common, making a reliable generator crucial for every home. The first step is to calculate the wattage of essential appliances and devices, including any surge wattages. For example, refrigerators typically require 600 watts, while sump pumps need between 1,300 to 2,150 watts to start and 800 to 1,000 watts to run.
To operate essential equipment during a power blackout, a typical home usually requires a generator that supplies between 5,000 to 7,500 watts. It’s important to list all the essential appliances you want to keep running during an outage, such as refrigerators, sump pumps, and portable heaters, and calculate their combined wattage. This will help you determine the correct generator size for your home.
Balancing power requirements, safety factors, and budget constraints is crucial before purchasing a household generator. Understanding your power needs will not only help you choose the right generator but also ensure that you have ample power to keep your home running smoothly during an outage.
Understanding the variety of options available is the first step towards selecting the right generator. The four main types of home generators are:
Portable Generators
Inverter Generators
Standby Generators
Solar Generators
A dual fuel generator offers the flexibility to run on either gasoline or propane, providing more options for fuel availability. Each type has its own set of advantages and limitations, making them suitable for different needs and situations.
Portable generators are small, easy to move, and ideal for short-term power outages or outdoor activities where power tools might be needed. Inverter generators produce stable power suitable for charging electronic devices and are quieter and more fuel-efficient. Home standby generators, also known as whole house generators, are the most powerful and can supply power to the entire home, including air conditioning and kitchen appliances. Solar generators use energy from the sun, making them the best option from an environmental perspective.
Let’s dive deeper into each type to explore their specific features and benefits.
Portable generators, often referred to as emergency power generators, are a popular choice for their versatility and affordability. They range from small units costing about $450 to large models costing between $950 to $2,000. These generators typically have wattage ranges between 3,000 to 8,500 watts, making them suitable for a variety of uses, including:
Camping
Emergency home backup
Powering outdoor events
RV power supply
One of the key benefits of portable generators is their mobility. Most models have wheels and are compact enough to fit in a car or truck, making them easy to move and store. They usually run on gasoline or propane, but some models offering dual fuel options for added flexibility.
However, portable generators also have their limitations. They require manual setup and fueling, and their runtime is limited by the size of the fuel tank. Despite these drawbacks, portable generators remain a cost-effective solution for many homeowners looking for a reliable backup power source.
Inverter generators, also known as inverter generator models, are a step up from traditional portable generators, offering quieter operation, better fuel efficiency, and stable power output. These generators are perfect for sensitive electronics like phones and laptops due to their ability to produce clean energy and stable power. Inverter generators electronically throttle the engine up and down to supply power more efficiently, making them more fuel-efficient and quieter compared to traditional generators.
These generators range from 1,500 to 7,600 watts, with larger models capable of powering an entire house. The advanced technology of inverter generators comes with a higher price tag, but the investment is often justified by their superior performance, reliability, and quiet operation. Many homeowners find that the benefits of inverter generators, such as fuel efficiency and stable power output for sensitive electronics, make them a worthwhile choice for both home and recreational use.
Inverter generators are an excellent choice if you need a fuel-efficient, quiet, and stable power source for sensitive electronics. While they may be more expensive, their benefits often justify the higher cost for many homeowners.
Standby generators, also known as whole house generators, offer the most comprehensive solution for home power backup. These generators kick on automatically during an outage, providing uninterrupted power to your entire home. Equipped with an automatic transfer switch, they detect a loss of utility power and switch the home’s power source to the generator within seconds.
One of the key benefits of standby generators is their ability to run indefinitely on natural gas or propane, ensuring a continuous power supply during extended outages. These generators are more expensive and require professional installation, often costing more in labor than the generator itself.
Despite the higher costs, standby generators are worth the investment for those who need a reliable and automatic power backup solution. They provide peace of mind, knowing that your home will remain powered even when you’re not around.
Solar generators, also known as solar power stations, are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuel-powered generators. They use renewable energy from the sun to produce electricity, making them the best option from an environmental perspective. Photovoltaic solar generators use solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity, which can then be stored in home batteries for use during outages.
One of the key benefits of solar generators is their ability to pair with home energy storage devices. Battery storage systems work alongside solar panels to store surplus energy for use during power outages, guaranteeing a consistent power source. This integration provides a reliable backup power solution.
However, the costs of solar plus storage systems can be high, ranging from $15,000 to $60,000 for a setup that can run a home and charge the battery during extended blackouts. Despite the higher initial investment, solar generators offer a sustainable and long-term solution for home power backup, making them an attractive option for environmentally conscious homeowners.
When selecting a generator, it’s important to consider several crucial features to guarantee you pick the most suitable option for your requirements.
When selecting a generator, keep the following key factors in mind:
Fuel Type and Efficiency: The type of fuel and its efficiency will impact the generator’s runtime and fuel availability.
Power Output: Measured in watts, power output determines how many devices and appliances you can operate simultaneously.
Safety Features: Important safety features include carbon monoxide detectors and low-oil shutoff mechanisms to prevent hazards like carbon monoxide poisoning and engine damage.
Convenience Features: Look for features such as electronic control panels, remote monitoring, and automatic startup to enhance the ease of use.
Let’s explore each of these features in more detail.
Generators can use three different types of fuel, each with varying fuel efficiency:
Gasoline: efficient and widely available
Propane: cleaner emissions and longer shelf life, less risky to store compared to gasoline, doesn’t clog the generator’s carburetor
Natural gas
Natural gas generators offer the convenience of a continuous fuel supply from a utility line, eliminating the need for refilling a tank. This makes them a reliable option for home standby generators, which can run indefinitely during an outage. Propane is also a cleaner-burning fuel that produces low carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide emissions, making it an environmentally friendly choice.
When selecting a generator, keep in mind the accessibility and price of the fuel type in your area. Watt dual fuel generators, which can run on both gasoline and propane, offer added flexibility and can be a great option for those who want the benefits of both fuel types.
When choosing a generator, it’s essential to understand its power rating, power output, and capacity to ensure it can meet your home’s electrical needs during a blackout. Power output is measured in watts, and it determines how many electronics and appliances you can run simultaneously. For example, an average house typically requires a generator providing 5,000 to 7,500 watts to run critical equipment during a power outage.
It’s important to ensure the generator can handle sudden spikes in voltage, such as when a refrigerator compressor kicks in. Generators with a high output but poor power delivery might stall or trip circuits when overloaded, so balancing power output and delivery is crucial. Ensure you know the combined wattage of the essential appliances you plan to power and choose a generator with ample power capacity to meet those needs.
For larger households or homes with high electrical demands, consider a generator with a higher power capacity. Whole house generators or larger inverter generators can provide more power, ensuring that all your essential appliances remain operational during an outage.
Safety should be paramount when selecting a generator since incorrect usage can result in severe hazards, such as carbon monoxide poisoning. It is crucial to be aware of the risks and take necessary steps to prevent accidents. Generators should be operated at least 20 feet away from any enclosed space, and the exhaust should be directed away from the house to mitigate carbon monoxide risks.
Many new generators feature built-in CO sensors that trigger an automatic shutoff to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. This automatic CO shutoff is a critical safety feature that shuts down the generator when carbon monoxide levels become dangerous. Additionally, installing portable CO detectors and placing wall units near common entry points, like garages, can help prevent exhaust from entering living quarters.
Other essential safety features to look for include a low-oil shutoff, which prevents engine damage by shutting down the generator when oil levels are too low, and overload protection to prevent electrical malfunctions. Ensuring your generator has these safety features will help you operate it safely and effectively during an outage.
Having a reliable generator is not just about convenience; it’s about ensuring safety and peace of mind during power outages. If you’re unsure which generator is right for you, call Parker & Sons. We can help you find the perfect generator to meet your needs and install it correctly and safely. Don’t wait for the next outage—take action now to protect your home and family.
To determine the right size generator for your home, calculate the total wattage of essential appliances and devices, and consider surge wattages. On average, a house will require a generator providing 5,000 to 7,500 watts to run critical equipment during a power outage.
The main types of home generators are portable generators, inverter generators, standby generators, and solar generators. Each type has its own set of advantages and disadvantages to consider.
You should look for carbon monoxide detectors, low oil shutoff, and overload protection for safety when choosing a generator. These features will help keep you and your family safe during operation.
Yes, solar generators are a good option for home use due to their eco-friendly nature and the potential for extended use when paired with energy storage devices, despite the high initial investment.
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