The Ultimate Guide on How to Use a Generator
Having a generator around your house can make life a whole lot easier in the case of a power outage, in fact, depending on your health, it could mean life or death. Read this ultimate guide on how to use a generator, and understanding why you need one in your home.
A generator is an essential piece of equipment that every homeowner should have. It is not unheard of for widespread power outages to occur in developed countries.
In 2003, there was a widespread power outage in the United States, and this left several major cities without power. However, this is just one example. No matter where in world you find yourself. You should ensure that you have a generator at home because power outages happen everywhere!
The last thing you want is to be stuck in a situation where you are without power for several hours. Not only is it uncomfortable, if you have an illness where you need electricity in order to administer medication then a loss of power can be life-threatening.
Here are some tips that tell you how to use a generator while exploring the major reasons why you need one.
1. The Usefulness Of Generators
There are many reasons to own a generator. However, here are three of the top reasons people buy generators and why you should too.
Secure Your Health
As mentioned before, certain medical equipment, need power in order to operate. For example, if you or a loved one is asthmatic then you may need to use a nebulizer at home.
Similarly, if oxygen tanks are needed for breathing you cannot afford not to have a generator. When you have a respiratory illness, air-conditioners are vital for making breathing easier in a heat wave. The bottom-line is that having a generator on hand means that your health will not be at risk.
Consider The Overall Climate
The climate that you live in is another thing you should consider when thinking about whether or not a generator is a good buy. In cases where the area in which you live has severe cold weather from time to time, you need a generator. Having enough power to get a furnace going when a power outage happens during the dead of winter can be a lifesaver.
If you live in a coastal area that is prone to hurricanes and flash floods, then a generator is always a good investment. A generator can help to keep your food from spoiling because it often takes a while for the power company to restore power in situations like this.
Also, consider investing in a generator if your area is prone to tornadoes. In many instances when tornadoes have passed through, those with generators have found them to be invaluable for helping to restore some semblance of normalcy during rebuilding efforts.
Recreational Purposes
If you love camping but haven’t been in a while because you can’t seem to manage “roughing” it like you used to, then consider investing in a generator. Get your kids to enjoy the outdoors more by bringing a generator along to give them a few comforts.
If you have a cabin deep in the woods or if you just want to take a party out to the backyard without having to stretch one extension cord after the other, then a generator is a good investment for you.
2. Safety Precautions For Generators
There are certain safety precautions that must be observed for generators. If you fail to comply often serious consequences may result.
Put your generator outside. Generators should never be placed inside your house or a garage while in use. In fact, you should never put it inside an enclosed building. There is a danger that it may leak carbon monoxide and this can kill you and your family in a matter of minutes.
Never operate a generator outside in a storm without covering it with a generator tent. Heavy rainfall can result in electrical shock and damage the generator’s engine.
Take the time to fill up your generator with fresh gasoline especially if it hasn’t been used for a while. The reason why you need to change the gas is that the ethanol in the gas tends to absorb water over time and this makes it harder for the generator to start.
This may also cause damage to the engine. You should make sure you fill the generator right up to capacity to ensure that it gets the proper lubrication. Finally, to be safe. Always start your generator and make sure it is working properly before connecting it to your house.
3. How To Use A Generator
Now that you know the benefits of a generator and the precautions you need to take when using one, here is how you should go about turning on the generator.
The first step is to turn on the fuel valves. Once you release this valve then fuel starts to travel to the generator’s carburetor. This gets the generator started.
The second step is to turn on the choke. Move the choke rod from left to right to get the engine going.
The third step is to turn on the engine switch. Once you flip the switch you can pull the recoil cord.
Pull the recoil cord on the generator until you feel a bit of resistance and then let it go. Some generators have an electrical start button so you don’t need to pull a recoil cord.
Let your generator run for a few minutes before plugging in any of the cords that will connect it to your home. There are three types of cords that you can use to connect the generator to your home. They are:
- Extension cords
- Convenience cords
- Generator power cords
A generator power cord is the most expensive option since it has the potential to transfer power to several circuits in your home.
Bear in mind too that the tips given above are general guidelines. Turning on your generator is largely dependent on the type of generator you choose. So, always defer to the user manual.
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that generators are extremely useful. Electricity is vital to the lifestyle you lead and in some cases, it may be vital for your continued health.
Investing in a generator is a good way to ensure that your health, comfort, and lifestyle are not left at the mercy of a power supply company. Buying and learning how to use a generator gives you the power to create electricity right in your backyard.
If you would like more lifestyle tips then please visit our blog. We have plenty of articles that you are sure to find interesting.
