The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that it’s possible for around 145 million customers in the U.S. to go without power for an average of four hours per year. The same organization reports that even though some customers have generators to provide auxiliary power, most do not have electricity during these outages.
Power outages are always a present threat to many consumers. Generators can come to the rescue when you lose power. Modern home backup generators can sense a power outage and turn on automatically, delivering seamless electricity.
To help you get the right generator for your needs, we have put together 12 tips you will need to consider when choosing one.
Is a Home Generator Worth Buying?
The fact that you are reading this article could be the first indication that you need a home generator. If you also consider that the average American home will lose power once or twice a year for around four hours, it becomes clearer why a generator is worth buying.
The average blackout is usually the result of equipment failure and can usually be resolved in a short period. The outages resulting from natural disasters could last for days, if not weeks. For instance, the power outages triggered by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012 left over 8 million people and businesses without power in 17 states, some for two weeks.
If you reside in an area with extreme weather conditions, the need for a home generator is even more pressing. Residents who need powered medical equipment for survival also need to invest in a home generator.
Ask anyone who is working or running a business from home, and they are likely to tell you that the investment in a home generator is much lower than the business you could lose in the event of a power outage. COVID-19 has shown all of us that our homes could turn into workplaces at short notice.
What Standby Generator Size Do I Need?
Once you have determined that you need a home generator, the next decision you will need to make is the size of the generator you will require. There are a few factors that should guide this decision. Selecting a generator that is too big will be a waste of money. Still, a generator that’s too small may fail to keep all the essential appliances and systems running during a blackout.
To get an idea of the size of the generator you need, determine the appliances you want the generator to run during a power outage. A generator is rated using kilowatts (kW). Manufacturers of electrical appliances often give an idea of the power required by each appliance. Add the power needed by all the appliances you will need the generator to run, and buy a generator that can easily power them.
Which Should I Buy: A Portable Or a Standby Generator?
A portable generator is smaller (when compared to a standby generator) and transportable. It produces between 1.8kW – 12.3kW of power. You’ll choose this one if you plan to use the generator both at home and when traveling. It’s a common choice for leisure and outdoor lovers.
Home standby generators, or stationary generators, are installed so that they remain in one place. These are usually run on natural gas or LPG and can run for days, if not weeks, without stopping. They usually come with high power outputs (6kW to 150kW) and can power a whole house. One advantage of this type of generator is that it is quieter, comes with waterproofing, and can withstand the elements.
Choose a portable generator if you want a more affordable solution for power outages that you could also use during your outdoor events. However, suppose you are looking for a generator that can run the whole house for hours and switch on as soon as it detects a power outage. In that case, you may want to consider a standby generator.
How Do I Choose the Right Fuel for My Home Generator?
Home generators generally run on four fuel types: gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and LPG. It’s essential to determine which fuel your generator uses to decide the specific fuel it needs.
Gasoline: Is volatile, and storage is limited to 25 gallons per household. It is the second most efficient fuel source amongst the four fuels used by generators.
Diesel: Has the highest energy content (the amount of heat produced by the burning of 1 gram of a type of fuel) in fuel for standby generators. Diesel is stable and less volatile than gasoline.
Natural Gas: Is the least complicated fuel to acquire for standby generators. It is usually connected to the natural gas utility line, except in small towns and rural areas. It has the lowest energy content; thus, a 20kW generator might top off at 18kW when running on natural gas. Its supply is the least affected by most natural disasters.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Also known as propane, this fuel source can be used in portable and standby generators. Storage tanks of up to a thousand gallons can be built, and a local dealer can supply the fuel when required. Some homeowners use both LPG and natural gas as a fuel supply. They switch between the two to choose their preferred fuel supply at any given time.
Some modern generators can also be powered by solar energy. Such generators convert energy from the sun into electric power. This energy is then stored in a battery and used when needed.
How Do I Choose the Best Home Generator?
The definition of the best home generator depends on the specific needs of the buyer. When choosing a home generator, the first question you have to answer is what you will be using the generator for: powering the whole house or just essential gadgets and devices.
You will also need to determine whether you will want a generator that starts automatically or one that you will have to start manually.
There are a few factors you can look at when you decide which generator will be the best for you:
Low-oil Shutoff: The engine shuts off automatically when the oil is low to avoid engine damage.
Multiple/Alternative Fuel Capacity: The ability to choose between fuel types can be an essential factor during shortages triggered by natural disasters.
Maintenance: You will need to ensure that you can get assistance from qualified technicians in your area if the generator were to give you problems.
Installation Space: Installation space is vital to consider due to the noise and harmful gasses produced when a generator is running. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that “a single gas-powered generator can create as much as one hundred times more poisonous carbon monoxide gas than a car’s exhaust.” ConsumerReports.org advises consumers to “always place the generator at least 20 feet from the house, with the engine exhaust directed away from windows and doors.”
Price: Your budget is paramount to your decision-making. However, this doesn’t mean that the most expensive generator is essentially the best. Do your homework by reading reviews to know what those already using the brand you want to buy are saying about it.
Will a 22kW Generator be Enough to Power my House?
As to whether a 22kW generator can power your house, the answer can’t be a simple yes or no; it depends on the size of your house. To get an idea of the generator’s size that will power your house, you’ll need to know the power required by each appliance in your house. You can convert the watts for each piece of equipment you will want to power using the calculator here.
How Long Can a Standby Generator Continuously Run?
A standby generator will continue to run if there is fuel and enough oil in it. A diesel, LPG, or gasoline generator requires you to keep an eye on the fuel tank and then shutting it off to cool and top up both the oil and the fuel.
Natural gas generators usually have an unlimited supply of fuel and could run for days. Most manufacturers recommend 500 hours (21 days) of use before shutting the generator off to cool down the engine.
Generators with engines turning at 1800RPM (revolutions per minute) tend to be more fuel and oil efficient than those whose engines run at 3600RPM.
Can I Leave a Generator Running Overnight?
A generator can be left running overnight. However, you will need to check your fuel, oil, and coolant levels before doing this. Also, make sure not to overload the generator when running it overnight. It’s crucial to ensure that the generator is in a well-ventilated area, away from open windows, so that harmful gasses do not enter the house during the night when people are sleeping.
Is a Whole House Generator Tax Deductible?
The amount you pay for the generator itself is not tax-deductible. Nonetheless, there are conditions under which you could benefit from a tax credit. For instance, houses with individuals that require electricity for medical devices enjoy rebates on the cost of running the standby generator for the entire blackout period of up to 10% of the owner’s annual gross income.
How Are Generators Maintained?
To get maximum performance every time a generator is used and prolong the engine life, you need to maintain the generator based on the manufacturer’s recommendations. Invest time in reading the guidelines that come with the generator.
During extended times of no use, running the generator for 15 minutes once a week allows oil to circulate in the engine and keeps the generator in good shape for prolonged use. Clear leaves, twigs, and snow in the generator compartment, and ensure rodents and pests are not breeding in there as well.
Filters in the generator need to be changed according to the instructions of the manufacturer. A technician should inspect the generator at least once a year.
How Long Will My Generator Last?
Generators are expensive, and many owners want to have an idea of the lifespan of their investment. If well-maintained and used correctly, your generator will go between 15 and 20 years before it needs to be replaced. However, the lifespan of the generator will also depend on how long you run it per year.
What’s the Difference Between Automatic Air-cooled and Automatic Liquid-cooled Generators?
Automatic air-cooled generators use an inbuilt fan and the air from the environment to cool its engine while it is running. These generators are not well-suited for hot climates. In such environments, the engine tends to overheat and shut off, restarting when it has cooled down sufficiently. These models can generate up to 24kW of power.
Liquid-cooled generators use coolants pumped from the radiator into the engine and back to cool the engine. These engines can generate as much as 150kW of power. Such generators are suitable for hot climates because their cooling system is efficient.
