Three Important Considerations when Purchasing an Emergency Generator

Three Important Considerations when Purchasing an Emergency Generator


 

Emergency generator installation requirements

Home generators can be extremely useful, especially if you lose power for an extended period of time. Generators can increase the warmth of your house during a cold season. They can also provide you with air conditioning during a power loss in the middle of the summer season. Additionally, standby generators can save the foods in your fridge, which can translate to hundreds of dollars of products. Before you run out and purchase a generator, make sure you know the emergency generator installation requirements.

Consider your generator size needs
You don?t want to waste money on a generator that is too large for your needs. You also don?t want to purchase a generator that does not supply you with enough power. Evaluate your generator size needs ahead of time. The size of the generator that you need can be determined by what you intend to supply power to. For a tailgate party, for example, where you are running a video system and some warming trays, you could get by with a generator that produces 1,000 watts. However, if you hope to run your entire household with a generator during an extended power failure, you will need a lot more current. Consider both your power needs and the length of time that you expect to need the generator.

Evaluate your power needs
Running whole house generators can get expensive, especially if you run them for a long period of time. Evaluate your power needs and how much you are paying to meet the emergency generator installation requirements. For example, plugging in your fridge may be beneficial, because you don?t have to pay to eat out every meal. You can also avoid throwing out the foods that are already in your fridge. You also might plug in a heating or cooling system, depending on the temperature outdoors. However, you do not necessarily have to plug in that entertainment system for just a couple of nights of no power.

Whole home generator pricing can be reduced by evaluating your needs and comforts. While you might follow the emergency generator installation requirements and use a generator to provide power to the TV during a party, you might not want to do this during a regular power outage. It is crucial to take into consideration that at startup, many electrical devices need more current. Because of this, the peak power rating on your generator should be higher than your calculated need. Many experts suggest a unit producing 4,000 peak watts or more for household applications. However, adding unplanned uses to the generator can cause higher utility bills and a less efficient generator.

Understand safety use and storage
While running a generator properly reduces risk, it is important to understand these safety preventions. Some generators run on gas and if this your current generator, make sure you are filling it outdoors. You don?t want remnants of oil in your house, as this can be a fire hazard. Additionally, you will want to think about how to properly store your generator when you are no longer using it. If you have your generator currently in storage and you do not plan on using it within the next 30 days, stabilize the gas with a fuel stabilizer. Keep it away from high temperatures and other fire hazards.

Most homeowners have experienced a power outage at some point. Quick power outages do not cause much damage, but if they extend beyond a long period of time, it can make for an uncomfortable and unstable environment. Understanding the emergency generator installation requirements can ensure that you have power at all times, regardless of power outages. Do your research and choose a generator that fits your power needs. Always keep safety in mind and be selective about what you supply power to.