In a nutshell, absolutely. When you’re not tied to the power grid, electric generators turn mechanical energy into electricity. The wattage of the appliances you want to power, the types of fuel utilized, and the generator’s power capabilities are just a few factors to think about when deciding on a generator for your home.
Choose the Right One for Your Needs
The size of your home and the appliances you intend to power are the primary considerations when selecting a generator. Just the most essential home devices, such as a refrigerator, water heater, and heating system, need a minimum of 5,000 to 7,500 watts every day. In the event of a blackout, a portable home generator can often keep the lights on, but additional choices can provide electricity for the entire household. To get the job done, you’ll need to spend at least $40,000 on a 20,000-watt generator if you live in an area prone to power outages or your home is huge. A larger generator that can power all of your appliances would be overkill if you just want to use it for emergency purposes a few times a year.
Types of Generators
Before buying, check out what 3 main types of generators are available.
- Inverter. Due to their extended run periods, low prices, and capacity to power a home’s vital appliances, inverter generators are used for infrequent usage or as insurance in emergencies or outages. Inverter generators can power sensitive gadgets like laptops, tablets, and televisions because they create clean electricity at a stable voltage with low harmonic distortion (THD). A 3,000-watt electric generator is popular because of its portability, reasonable price, and usefulness.
- Portable. A portable generator can provide temporary electricity for less cost. It is portable and requires human intervention to get going. To use a portable generator to power your appliances, just plug your extension cords, power tools, and gadgets into the outlets on the generator’s control panel. Some types have a manual transfer switch that lets you connect them to your home’s electrical system. They may provide between 3,000 and 8,500 watts, and several variants have electric start upgrades. A portable generator will only provide temporary electricity for essential lighting and small appliances during a power outage. Before plugging, make sure to verify the wattage requirements.
- Standby. Automatic standby generators are hardwired into a home and constantly supplied with fuel. The standby unit can detect an interruption in the primary power supply and switch the building over to using the generator if necessary. They can power a whole home with an output between 5,000 and 20,000 watts.
Which Generators Will Suit You?
A portable generator may be found in a broad range of sizes to accommodate a variety of needs. They’re also helpful if you and your family need electricity while traveling. They require regular refueling with diesel or gasoline if you use them for a long time.
Standby generators are permanently placed outside your home and wired into your home’s natural gas supply. Once the installation is complete, you won’t have to physically connect any power strips or home appliances, making these generators considerably simpler to operate than their portable counterparts. In the case of a power outage, a transfer switch will instantly turn on your generator, allowing you to seamlessly move between mains and backup power.
