Home Anthony Galz on 08 Mar 2008
Tips in Choosing the Right Home Power Generator
Buying a home power generator is never easy. There are just too many home power generators nowadays that come in different shapes, sizes, models and prices coming from various manufacturers and retailers. With all that, it is hard not to get confused. Hence, one who is planning on buying a home power generator tends to just go home with nothing in his hands other than more confusion.
If you do not want that to happen to you, read on and discover some of the factors you will have to consider when choosing a home power generator.
What is the first thing that I should bear in mind?
Since you will want to buy a home power generator for the purpose of supplying you electricity for emergency home power backup, the first thing you should bear in mind is the amount of electricity you usually need at home. Average-sized homes sized 1000-3000 square feet would need a generator that can produce 3000-5000 watts.
But of course, no matter how big or small your home is, it depends on how many electrical devices you have at home. To get a more definite figure on your energy consumption, you can try adding the total number and type of electrical devices that will require electricity at the same time. Typically, watt ratings are printed on the device itself so you won’t have a hard time figuring it out. Afterwards, you can sum up the wattage requirements for these devices to get the overall wattage you’ll require from your generator.
Other than wattage capacity, there are other important features to consider when buying a home power generator. Below is a list of some of them:
Sound
In order for you to enjoy the comforts of your home without being disturbed by your generator, make sure you get one that produces minimal noise or no noise at all. Ask yourself how loud the unit is before getting one. As much as possible, you wouldn’t want it to be noisy and loud.
Fuel Supply
You will have to determine what type of fuel you’re generator will be running on. There are many types of fuel available today. You can either use diesel, gas, propane or natural gas. You might also want to check out the size of the tank so you can gauge how many hours of operating time it can give you.
Portability
If you are the type that constantly rearranges the interiors of your home, you should choose a home power generator that is light enough to be carried by hand. If that cannot be avoided, get one that comes with wheels, or a transport trailer.
Weather Protection
If your house is prone to rain, dust, and other debris, make sure you get a home power generator that has a protected control panel. Also consider not putting it near open windows where it is more susceptible to damage.
Outlets
For safety purposes, determine whether you have enough outlets available to handle everything you need. Also make sure that they are protected by a circuit breaker to prevent accidents that may lead to a fire.
Summing it all up, it really isn’t hard to look for a home power generator just as long as you know what factors to consider in getting one.