No matter how often your electricity goes out, when it does it’s a problem: disrupting your life in ways that can range from the merely annoying to the very serious. Don’t get caught stumbling in the dark looking for a flashlight and relying on the power company to get your lines back up or blown transformer quickly replaced. Take matters into your own hands with a backup generator. A reliable backup generator can be a game-changer when the lights go out: keeping essential appliances running, maintaining indoor comfort, and protecting valuable electronics when the grid goes down. But not all backup generators are created equal. Let’s walk through the key factors to consider when selecting the best generator to safeguard your home and family.
1. Determine Your Power Needs
The first step in choosing the right generator is identifying what you need to power during an outage. Start by listing critical appliances and systems you want to keep running, such as:
- Refrigerators and freezers
- HVAC system or space heaters
- Wi-Fi routers and communications devices
Once you’ve identified these essentials, calculate the total wattage they require. It’s easier than it at first sounds. You can usually find the wattage for each appliance listed on the appliance itself or in the user manual. Take them and simply add them all up. From there, a licensed electrician can help you determine the total load, ensuring the generator you choose has sufficient capacity to provide the needed wattage without overloading.
2. Understand the Types of Generators
There are several types of generators available, each suited for different needs and budgets:
Portable Generators
- Pros: They’re affordable, easy to move, and suitable for temporary or partial home backup.
- Cons: They require manual setup, have limited power output, and need to be refueled regularly.
Inverter Generators
- Pros: They’re quiet, fuel-efficient, and provide clean power for sensitive electronics.
- Cons: They offer lower output and are thus best for small homes or light backup needs.
Standby Generators
- Pros: They’re permanently installed, automatically turn on during outages, and are capable of powering the entire home.
- Cons: They have higher upfront costs and require professional installation.
3. Choose the Right Fuel Type
A backup generator will run on a variety of fuel sources, and your choice will affect your level of convenience, cost, and maintenance:
- Gasoline
While it’s easier to find, gasoline has a relatively short shelf life and can be hard to store in large quantities.
- Propane
Propane is clean burning and long lasting, but requires storage tanks and can have higher fuel costs than, say, gasoline.
- Natural Gas
Natural gas is very convenient for homes with existing gas lines, providing unlimited fuel during long outages.
- Diesel
Efficient and powerful, diesel is often used for larger standby units, but diesel fuel can degrade over time if not used.
Consider what’s available in your area and how much maintenance you’re willing to take on. An expert in home generator installation can help you match the best fuel type to your needs and infrastructure and then point you in the direction of the best home generators.
4. Automatic Transfer Switches
An often-overlooked feature, the transfer switch determines how your home switches over to generator power when there’s an outage:
- Manual Transfer Switch
This requires you to start the generator and switch your home’s power source manually; it’s very suitable for portable units.
- Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)
Backup generators with an ATS detect outages and start the generator automatically, restoring power within seconds. An ATS is ideal for standby systems.
For maximum convenience and peace of mind an ATS is the gold standard, particularly if you’re away from home when an outage occurs.
5. Installation and Maintenance
Full-on standby generators require professional installation to ensure they meet local codes and operate safely. This includes setting up a concrete pad, making the fuel connections, and completing the requisite wiring. Maintenance is also crucial for the long-term reliability of your backup generator. Regular oil changes, filter replacements, and inspections should be part of your plan. Holtzople Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical Services is well-versed in the language of generator installation and maintenance, and offers a range of services to keep your system in top shape year-round.
6. Local Codes and Permits
Due your due diligence. Before purchasing or installing a generator, check your local building codes and permit requirements. Some municipalities require inspections, specific noise levels, or specific distances from buildings. Consulting a licensed electrician or home generator installation specialist ensures compliance and can help avoid delays or fines.
The Answer Is Blowin’ In the Wind
No matter how hard the wind blows where you live, and how often it happens to blow down your power lines or blow up your local transformer, choosing the right backup generator is about more than just picking the biggest model on the market; it’s about understanding your power needs, fuel preferences, installation requirements, and local regulations. The best home generators can provide seamless comfort and comforting security for you and yours for years to come. Ready to protect your home from unexpected outages? Contact Holtzople Heating & Air Conditioning today to speak with one of our generator specialists and get a free personalized assessment for your home.