Oct. 28, 2024
The average energy consumer in the US experiences almost 200 minutes of power outages each year.
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While that may not seem like a long period, being without power during a winter storm or in the extreme summer heat is dangerous. Every minute without power is an inconvenience.
The solution? A generator.
Buying a generator can save your life but you need to shop smart. Here&#;s what you should know before you purchase a portable generator.
When buying generators, you should first consider which type of fuel you&#;ll be using. The most common options are propane, natural gas, and diesel.
Propane is the most popular fuel option for emergency generators.
Having a propane tank onsite allows you to maintain a large supply of fuel in case of an emergency. Propane has a better heating efficiency than other fuels and puts off no greenhouse emissions.
Learn more about the pros and cons of propane in this article.
Natural gas is provided by your local utility company.
This solution is viable since most people can safely rely on their utility company to provide the fuel when an emergency strikes. But, if you want to live off the grid, natural gas has its drawbacks.
Not only do you rely on the natural gas company for supply, but you are also at their mercy when it comes to pricing. There&#;s no shopping around for the best fuel rate with natural gas.
Diesel is generally viewed as a safer fueling option as it&#;s less flammable than the alternatives.
But despite its safety advantage, diesel fuel comes with many disadvantages. You&#;ll need to keep a supply of fuel available and replace it often as it comes with a short lifespan. You&#;ll also be subject to the fluctuating prices that come with diesel fuel.
There are three main types of generators to choose from: home standby generators and portable generators
Home standby generators make the best choice for emergency generators.
These permanent units are installed by a professional and start automatically anytime your power goes out. While these typically cost more, their permanence and automatic start provide ease of mind for all emergencies.
These work best with propane fuel or natural gas.
Portable generators are generally smaller than home standby generators and cost less.
The convenience of these generators is that they can be used anywhere and don&#;t sit in one permanent position. You&#;ll just want to make sure they are around 20 feet away from your residence and any other structures.
The big drawback is that these don&#;t start automatically and they most commonly run off of gas or diesel fuel. You&#;ll need to have a stash of fuel ready at all times in case an emergency strikes.
The size of the generator you need depends on the energy usage of your house.
Portable generators are smaller than the alternative and generally range from 3,000 to 8,500 watts. These work best for homes with small furnaces that run off of city water.
Standby generator sizing usually runs from 5,000 to 20,000 watts. These are great for homes with large furnaces that rely on a well pump for water.
Emergency generators are meant for emergency situations. During an emergency, you should conserve your energy and fuel usage because you never know when power will return. A small generator is always better than no generator at all.
Related links:Are you interested in learning more about Power generator? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
If you want a more detailed report of what each generator size can cover, check out this guide.
After you&#;ve chosen your generator type and size, you need to find a place to keep your new generator.
Like mentioned previously, portable generators are movable and not in a fixed location. This means you can try out different locations to find the best one that works for your household. Just make sure you keep the generator 20 feet away from any structure.
A professional will help you install your standby home generator so they can help you choose the right location. You&#;ll want to pick a location that is convenient for regular maintenance and away from any areas in your yard that may flood. Also, you&#;ll want your generator close to your fuel supply.
Before you decide on a location for your generator, you should check to see if your town or county has specific codes requirements.
Not all generators are created equal. Beyond choosing your generator type, fuel, and size, there are also extra features to consider.
Some of the most popular features include:
Just like with a car, the more features your generator has the more expensive it becomes. Sit down and consider which features you feel are worth investing in before you start shopping.
The last question you should always ask before buying a generator is, &#;Is there a warranty?&#;
Most generators come standard with a warranty. These warranties can range anywhere from one to five years. If you are offered a generator without any warranty, you should look elsewhere.
Many companies will let you buy an extended warranty for a higher cost. If you are making a big investment with a state-of-the-art generator, an extended warranty may be wise.
When buying a generator, it&#;s important you get answers to the above questions.
Most people will end up choosing a home standby generator ran by propane gas. This solution is the most economical choice to protect your home during emergencies. You&#;ll rest easy at night knowing you have a reliable generator ready to go.
After purchasing your generator, you need to set up a propane delivery service to ensure your generator is ready when you need it. Contact Kauffman Gas today to set up your propane delivery.
Generators are critical for keeping your home or business powered during outages, but many people have questions about how they work, how to maintain them, and what to do when issues arise. Here&#;s a simplified breakdown of some frequently asked questions to help you understand your generator better.
Routine maintenance is key. You should have your generator inspected every 6-12 months, depending on usage. Regular checkups ensure it&#;s ready when you need it most.
This depends on the model and fuel type. Portable generators typically run 8-12 hours on a single tank of fuel, while standby generators connected to natural gas or propane can run indefinitely, as long as fuel is available.
Generators can run on different fuels such as gasoline, diesel, natural gas, or propane. Your choice depends on the type of generator you have and your specific needs. Natural gas and propane are often preferred for standby generators due to their reliability and long-term storage capabilities.
Always operate generators outdoors and away from windows, doors, and vents. Never run them inside a garage, even if the door is open, as carbon monoxide can quickly build up.
Load testing involves running your generator at full capacity to ensure it can handle its intended power load during an outage. It&#;s a good way to identify potential weaknesses before they become major problems.
Generators are a valuable backup during emergencies, but only if they&#;re properly maintained and operated safely. Regular checks, understanding fuel options, and following safety guidelines are essential to keeping your generator reliable.
For more expert tips and in-depth answers, visit P3 Generator Services or call us at 908.454.
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