Hello World! Welcome Friends! Electricity is a modern convenience, but some people take it for granted. Just a short period of power outage will remind us of how we completely rely on it. With the severe weather and aging infrastructure, the duration and frequency of outages may increase, but no one wants to stay without electricity. Various generators for houses exist that can get us going during blackouts.
Types of Generator for Houses
Depending on why you need power and where you reside, there are various generators you can use in your house. These generators can power all of your appliances to power tools. BestofMachinery targets various types of equipment and tools that are used around the house and can be powered by a generator.
The sections below outline varying scenarios and the type of generator you would need.
Houses Experiencing Occasional Power Outage
You may live in a place where the power supply is reliable, with no wildfire, hurricanes, or other things that may interrupt the supply regularly. If this is you, then portable generators are the best bet. The common fuel types for them are propane, diesel, and gasoline. But there are tri-fuel, dual-fuel, and solar options. You can visit https://www.takethetruck.com/blog/solar-generators-for-camping to learn about solar generators.
The alternative fuel types are very useful in situations where you are unable to purchase gas. But you still need to remember to purchase fuel to refill the generator; otherwise, you will experience a blackout. Also, ensure that you do not operate the generator inside the house or a distance of fewer than ten feet from windows or doors. The generator produces carbon monoxide, which is a poisonous gas.
Furthermore, portable generators are in different wattage output categories. You can find the actual running and starting wattage requirements by checking the manuals of the appliances. Older appliances that have become less efficient may require additional watts to start.
Below are some portable generators and what they can handle. The runtime of each generator varies depending on the number of appliances it will power. It is important to always check the generator’s manual to know the exact runtime and power limits.
Extra-Large
These are the largest portable generators and they provide 10000 watts and above. They come with electric start buttons. You can also use them with manual transfer switches to power pieces of hardwired equipment such as security systems, central furnaces, and well pumps.
Large
They provide between 6000 to 9000 watts, and you can use them to energize various rooms when using manual transfer switches instead of extension cords. They handle almost all appliances except some hardwire equipment that requires high starting watts or surge.
Medium
They provide between 3000 to 6000 watts and have very large fuel tanks to enable them to power more appliances for a longer time. With this category of portable generators, you can cook dinner in your microwave while your fridge is running, and the sump pump is keeping your basement dry.
Small
They provide wattage that is less than 3000 and they are ideal for short periods of blackout when you only need the generator for a few hours. You can use them to power essentials like refrigerators, lights, and microwaves. However, you must note that the number of appliances you wish to power will affect the overall runtime. The additional benefit of medium and small portable generators is the ease of transporting them for activities such as camping.
Houses Experiencing Frequent Power Outage
If your house is in an area that experiences natural disasters regularly, then you need a whole house or automatic standby generator. It is also nice to get this unit even if disasters do not affect your location.
You cannot use a portable generator for weeks or days on end, depending on when utility power will be restored after a storm. But you can use standby units like Cummins residential generators for longer periods to power any size of home.
The differences between portable generators and standby generators are:
HVAC
Most people wonder about the size of a generator that can power their air conditioner. The trick is to get a standby generator because portable generators can’t reliably keep your central AC system running. Also, they can’t handle the watts required to start an HVAC (surge watts).
Output
The largest size of portable generators produces about 17kilowatts. On the other hand, standby generators produce 150 kW or more; the power is clean and can handle sensitive electronics. Also, they can power the whole house for weeks or days.
Automation
As mentioned earlier, standby generators utilize automatic transfers connecting to a circuit breaker inside a house. When there is a power outage, the auto transfer switch will quickly turn on the generator to energize your house. You do not have to lift even a finger for this to happen. On the other hand, portable generators use manual transfers.
Permanent
You can carry or roll a portable generator around, but an electrician installs a standby generator so it stays permanently at a spot. The fuel sources available to standby units are propane, diesel, dual fuel, and natural gas.
Mobile Homes
If your home is a manufactured or mobile one, you still need to follow the principles we discussed in the previous sections.
First, if your mobile home is in a location that experiences short periods of outages, you should go for a portable unit. But you must know that some parks for mobile homes have restrictions regarding noise. Ensure you know the decibel rating of the unit before purchase. You can also get an inverter generator since it is quiet and meets short-term energy needs.
Second, if your mobile home is in a location that experiences frequent outages, you may consider installing a standby unit. However, you need to verify if the park allows this. You can watch this video to know the size of generator you need for an RV.
Conclusion
No matter where you live, there is a solution for your power needs. Now that you know which generator suits your home, the next step is to get a unit and arm yourself for periods of power outages. You do not have to experience blackout when you can always get your own electricity.
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