A Homeowner’s Guide to Choosing a Home Generator
A home generator will prove to be a lifesaver should ever your electric go out for a long period of time. To learn more about home generators and how to choose the right home generator. Simply read this guide to choosing a home generator.
If you’ve ever gone for a few hours or even a day without electricity, you know how difficult it is to manage. Everything you take for granted, such as washing clothes or cooking a meal, is impossible when the power is down.
If you live in an area prone to power outages or simply want to get prepared for the next incident, now you can with the help of a home generator. But which one is best for your needs and your house?
Learn more and make an educated choice before going shopping for your generator.
Know About the Three Types of Generators On the Market
There are three types of generators you can select from when you’re figuring out how to choose a generator. Picking one of these three depends on factors such as:
- How large your home is
- How long you want to run the generator for
- What type of fuel you’re using
Portable generators offer you quick-acting solutions if the power goes out for a few hours and you need to keep your electricity running. At most, these generators run a little under $2,000, making them an affordable option.
If you anticipate you’ll need the generator for longer than a couple hours, a home standby generator is what you’re looking for. These generators start right away once the power goes out, so you don’t need to worry about hooking them up yourself.
Finally, whole-house generators allow your home to function as normal even after the power’s out. All your appliances and everything that uses power can continue to run like nothing ever happened.
Decide what’s the best fit for your home between these three options to find the right generator for you.
Plan What Fuel Type You’ll Use for Your Home Generator
The type of fuel that’s most accessible to you dictates what you’ll use for your home generator.
Small, portable generators and standby generators use natural gas or liquid propane. If this isn’t an option where you live or you’d rather not use one of the two choices, you’ll need to seek out an alternative generator.
In contrast, a whole-house generator can use either of these options, including diesel. Diesel generators are popular and sold everywhere, such as Diesel Generators Perth.
Make sure you talk with a contractor about the size of the tank before getting your heart set on a generator. You’ll need the correct size tank to operate the generator you’re looking at, so make sure you know what size you have before shopping for a generator.
If you’re using natural gas, the line and meter also need to comply with your generator. Get everything in order and find out about your options.
From there, you can decide what’s best for your home based on what you’re trying to operate, and how long you’ll need the generator to run during an emergency.
Consider What You Want to Run After Losing Power
Think about what your home consists of in terms of appliances and your family’s needs on a daily basis. Consider what special situations you deal with and what you plan on running in the event you lose power.
Do you have special situations such as:
- Working or running a business from home
- A family member with special medical needs
- Living out in a rural area
Depending on what your home life and situation look like, your needs vary from having several things running at once, or just having a backup to run a couple of appliances when electricity is down.
A whole-house generator can run everything, from computers and washing machines to several refrigerators. In contrast, a smaller generator can only run a couple of these things.
Consider the area you live in as you make your purchase. If you live in a city that’s prone to disasters frequently, it’s helpful to have a generator that can continue to run your home for several days or however long it takes help to arrive.
A modern home makes it easier to install a generator. If you have an older home, it’s still possible, but get ready to do some renovations so you have the power to do so.
Ensure You’re Using the Correct Transfer Switch
You’ll need a transfer switch on your circuit breaker once you get your generator installed. Having your generator on the circuit breaker allows the generator to kick into action the minute you lose power.
Before doing anything, it’s important you understand the amperage that your circuit breaker has. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll know how much power can go through your house, allowing you to make the best selection when it comes to generators.
If you’re unsure where to find out your maximum amount of power, check the main breaker. This is normally a large pull-out switch located within the box.
Once you have everything installed, make sure you know where the transfer switch is for your generator. In the event that it doesn’t kick on, you’ll know where to go to solve the problem.
Learn More
Finding the right home generator is a combination of knowing what your home needs and deciding what you need to keep running if your power goes out. If you’re looking for a small generator, portable ones offer a cheap and easy alternative to a whole-house generator.
After deciding what fuel you’ll use and how much your circuit breaker can handle, you’ll figure out the best generator for your home’s needs. This allows your family and home to keep running in the event of a disaster or power outage, helping life go on as normal.
Guide to choosing a home generator. If you’re looking for more information about home improvements, we’re here to help. Check out our post on three different ways you can save energy within your home.
You can save money while keeping your home running as normal, thanks to a little help.
