7 Specifications You Should Look for When Buying a Home Generator

20 March 2019

Pretty much everyone has wished they had a backup home generator at one time or another. Whether you want a generator just so you won’t be left in the dark during a power failure or you need to know your family will be safe from the cold should a prolonged power outage happen during the dead of winter, buying a home generator requires some careful thought.

Past the obvious choices of cost and reliability, there are a number of factors you should carefully consider before buying a home generator, such as price, your expected power needs, installation requirements, and maintenance issues.

The variety of options and requirements can turn a seemingly simple purchase into a complex problem if you don’t know what you need. Here are seven specifications you should look for when buying a home generator:

Specifications You Need To Look For Home Generator

There are several factors you need to look at while seeking a home generator. Work out the plans that can work well for you.

1. Power Requirements:

Power needs are often dictated by your budget, as the more powerful a generator is the more it will, typically, cost. However, initial determining factors for calculating the size of the generator can be addressed with this query: During an electricity failure, does the generator need to power the entire house, or just handle emergency needs?

When considering a generator that is able to handle the electrical demands of all the appliances in your home, factors such as peak demand during the months you use the most electricity is a deciding factor. Common generator voltages are 120/240 volts. If you are unsure, your electrician can provide this information.

If you live in the south, where the temperatures are moderate throughout the winter, you will not need as powerful a generator as if you live in the far north where temperatures can be deadly in the winter months. A powerful home generator can make things easier for you.

On the other hand, when calculating needs for backup supply, only the requirements of the reserve need to be calculated.

In the north, this should include the furnace and a couple of lights. In the south, a smaller unit that can power a few lights and the refrigerator is probably adequate.

For emergency loads, you may need to have an electrician install a dedicated emergency circuit from the main service panel to a distinct backup panel. However, this is typically up to the homeowner’s liking for a whole-house system.

2. Fuel Type:

While it might seem convenient, gasoline is usually an inferior fuel choice for emergency generators as it tends to go bad quite quickly, especially gasoline with ethanol. Better choices include propane, natural gas, and diesel fuel. Powerful home generator can make things easier and effective for you.

Prices can be a major contention when choosing between a natural gas generator, or propane and diesel since the price of the generator will depend on the amount of fuel the generator uses. The accessibility of the form of fuel is an additional important element.

Propane and diesel fuel generators will have to be refilled during extended outages, whereas the utility company provides a continual source of natural gas. Local laws may dictate what type of fuel is available in your area. For example, the fuel element, propane is not usually permissible to be used within the limits of the city

3. Installation:

Depending on the type of unit, you may need to hire a licensed electrician to install the generator. While smaller portable units simply require you plug a power cord directly into the unit, larger whole-house generators will need to be hardwired into your electrical system. Additionally, you will probably have to hire an authorized and insured plumber if you will be connecting the generator to a natural-gas fuel source.

However, for simple emergency situations, a portable unit like gasoline-powered online Honda generators can provide up to 10,000 watts of emergency power and be stored in your garage, basement or on your porch. Some of the larger generator companies have their own installation staff or may subcontract the work.

However, in some areas, depending on local codes, a homeowner with the proper skills may be able to perform their own installation. The important consideration is to use a trustworthy firm with a proven record of accomplishment of installing standby power-generator systems.

4. Placement:

Where your generator will be located is an important consideration. The home generator should be installed as close to the fuel supply and service panel as possible.

The generator must also be positioned where it can be easily reached for servicing. This is especially important if the unit is not being powered by natural gas, as you will have to fill the tank periodically.

Additionally, it must be located at a comfortable distance from the ground to prevent any form of water from coming close or entering the unit in case of flooding.

Outdoor installations may be required to be a secure distance from flammable structures to meet codes, as well as for safety in the absence of any local requirements.

Indoor installations should adhere to norms and rules regarding exhaust, closeness to flammable materials, fuel-supply, and ventilation.

Even if local codes don’t require it, the power back up should be placed in some type of enclosure to protect it from the elements and possible vandalism.

Consider if there are Outdoor Noise Regulation imposed by the local Council or government body for installing the home generator outdoors.

Some municipalities require the noise level of a generator is restricted to a specified decibel level at the property line closest to the unit. If a noise ordinance exists, the required level of sound will dictate the kind of power generator that will be used. Quite a few residential generators are supplied with sound deadening enclosure.

5. Options:

Accessory options can vary widely, depending on the home generator make and model. Some systems will offer a remote panel that can be installed in a convenient spot inside your home that will have controls and displays to allow you to control and monitor your system without having to go outside. Larger whole-house systems will typically have an automatic transfer switch that will switch the generator on when a power disruption is detected and may be an option on some smaller units.

6. Maintenance:

Like any piece of mechanical equipment, and home generators require regular and proper maintenance to ensure it will do the job you bought it to do when the time comes. Unfortunately, because it isn’t typically used on a regular base, maintenance often isn’t thought about, until the generator won’t start during a power outage.

Some companies will include routine maintenance in the cost of the unit or you may be able to purchase a separate maintenance contract. If you are a do-it-yourselfer you can perform maintenance on your generator yourself, just be sure it won’t void the warranty.

7. Warranty:

The typical warranty for residential generators usually varies from one to five year, based on the manufacturer and model. Be sure to study the warranty coverage, including the duration, and what is and what is not covered. Many companies will offer an extended warranty for an added fee.

Read Also:

Featured Image: generatorpalace.com

Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

View all posts

How to Choose a Clean Energy Provider for Your Texas Home or Business

Keeping Texas clean is a priority for most Texans. Clean energy is one way to do that. Choosing clean energy helps lower carbon emissions, which helps to slow climate change. It also lowers overall energy costs and helps create a steady energy supply in the future. It can be cumbersome to sort through all the information on the internet to find an energy provider who uses renewable sources. Having a general idea of where to start and what you are looking for can really help you figure out what energy company to go with as you try to use clean energy in your home or business. You can find cheap energy companies in Texas and compare energy rates by making good use of energy comparison websites. Understand Clean Energy Clean energy, also called renewable energy, is generated from naturally replenished sources. These sources include solar energy, wind, water, nuclear, bioenergy, and geothermal sources. All of these energy sources are practically limitless instead of fossil fuels, which can take billions of years to renew. When looking for a clean energy provider, it is good to start by looking at their energy sources. If they mention a specific kind of renewable source, it is safe to go with that option. You must be sure where your energy is coming from if clean energy is essential to you. Make sure you don’t just take them for their word if they use buzzwords like “clean energy” in their marketing materials. Companies may get a small amount of their energy from renewable sources so that they can make that claim. However, it would be best if you went for a company that gets at least 50 percent of its energy from renewable sources if you want your energy source choice to make a meaningful impact on the environment. Find Providers Near You When searching for a clean energy provider, the first step is to determine what companies provide energy services for your area. Unfortunately, some more rural areas may not have the option to choose a clean energy provider. For locations with that option, search for "clean power companies in Texas,” like Chariot Energy or a comparable source to power your home or business. With any power company you find, make sure that they are rated for both business and residential areas. Investigate Your Options Find out what companies provide energy services for your area. Look for their story and see how long they have been working in clean energy. Look for businesses they work with and investors or politicians they have ties to. Their associations can tell you a lot about how serious the company is about clean energy. You should also look up independent sources to get ratings on their clean energy track record. Search for individual companies on independent review websites and the Better Business Bureau to get an accurate idea of what they truly stand for. You also want to make sure they have an excellent customer service track record. Compare Offers and Plans Once you have decided on the power company you want to use, you will have to compare its plans. Some companies offer “green pricing,” which allows customers to pay a premium to use only clean energy. This premium helps companies with the added costs of switching to green energy and with the addition of other clean energy sources to their mix. Suppose you can’t find a company that offers clean energy, or you want to give a little extra help to the industry as a whole. In that case, you can also purchase green certificates, which help companies around the country transition to clean energy. The Texas Choice Deciding to move to clean energy is good for the environment and good for Texas. It can be confusing to sort through all the information out there, but if you stay organized and sort through the data in smaller chunks, you can find the right energy company. It can save you money and save the wide-open spaces of Texas in the process. Read Also: The Dallas Texas Resource for Metal Conex Boxes What You Should Know About Solar Energy for Schools Benefits

Everything You Need To Know About Mobile Solar Generators

Solar power is a technology that has been around for quite some time, and the first photovoltaic cells were created in the 1950s. Since then, the technology has been improving, and the efficiency of modern photovoltaic cells has increased immensely, making solar power a viable option. If you are considering getting mobile solar generators, here is everything that you need to know. What Are Mobile Solar Generators? Most solar generators are static, which means they do not move. However, there are mobile ones that you can transport to any location and use them if there is enough sunlight. The items are common with people who love camping, RV camping, and boats, and they come in a variety of sizes. It is also popular for use in infrastructure projects, agriculture, and even in remote communities. Mobile solar power generators have a bank of photovoltaic cells. These cells turn sunlight into energy. The energy can then be stored in batteries, which make this type of power generator handy for your next outdoor adventure. What Do You Need For Mobile Solar Generators? When you are looking to purchase or make mobile solar generators, there are four components that make the device, which are: Solar Panels An Invertor A Solar Charge Controller Solar Batteries The solar panels and the batteries are the parts of this device that can vary in quality, and you will want to select the most efficient solar panels you can afford, as well as high-quality batteries to store your electricity. How Do They Work? The first thing that you need to do is transport your system to where you want to set it up, and then assemble the solar panels. The solar panels collect the energy from the sun and where it is converted to a Direct Current (DC), and it is then passed through the solar charge controller. The controller regulates the voltage of the electricity when charging the battery where you store the power to be used later. When you are ready to use the energy collected from your solar panels, the inverter converts the DC power into AC (Alternating Current), which is what most electrical appliances use. The Pros & Cons Of Mobile Solar Power There are a lot of benefits to using solar power, and some drawbacks as well. One of the best things about solar power is that it is 100% clean and renewable energy that you are using, and there are no fuels to burn, which will create pollution. They are also relatively simple to maintain, and the biggest task will be to clean the solar panels and ensure that they are running at maximum efficiency. There are some cons to solar power as well, and the biggest one is that there is a significant upfront cost required to purchase the equipment that you will need. You are also limited to the amount of power you can store, depending on the size and efficiency of your batteries. The charging process is slow as well. The expense of solar technology can pay for itself in a short time, so it is worthwhile investing. You will have the luxury of being able to use your electrical devices wherever you go, safe in the knowledge that you are doing your part for the environment. Read Also: The Benefits of Solar Lighting in a Nutshell 10 Steps To Take To Set Up Solar Panels At Home What You Should Know About Solar Energy for Schools Benefits What Are Solar Incentives? Prepare Your Solar Panels for the Fall

What Are Renewable Sources And How To Introduce Your Household

In the face of exhaustion of so many natural resources and ever-increasing pollution some of them cause, the need has arisen for renewable and less aggressive sources of energy. You must have heard of so many alternatives to fossil fuels which, unlike them, can be regenerated or replenished. If you are environmentally conscious or trying to become so, you are probably thinking about introducing some of those alternative resources, at least partially, since any decrease in CO2 emission or electricity usage is helpful to the planet. Numerous tech companies are attempting to introduce these technologies into our everyday lives like https://www.streetlights-solar.com/solar-street-lighting.html. Here is a brief overview of the most popular and most convenient renewable energy sources. The most popular ones are biomass, geothermal, wind, solar and water. They are all very useful and applicable in the industry, however not all of them can be easily introduced in your household, so here some more info about that, too. Solar Energy Systems Photovoltaic (solar) systems have become the most widely spread renewable source of energy in households. Solar modules turn solar energy into electricity. They can be used to provide electricity, heating and hot water. These photovoltaic modules, better known as solar panels, have no movable parts, so they’re quite reliable and don’t require much maintenance. The most common way they are made is a group of photovoltaic cells in order to reach a size and electrical output which makes it viable and usable. They are really practical and suitable to use both in rural and urban areas because they don’t take up too much space, they don’t make any noise and aren’t heavy. Once installed, these devices are completely independent of the electrical grid and can power the devices that are connected to them. There are several types of photovoltaic cells, so always contact solar energy experts for help before you make a decision which ones to install. Solar panels come in different sizes, from 2 to 350 Wp electricity output, but the most widely sold and used sizes are from 160 to 240 Wp. Photovoltaic modules are either stand-alone, usually installed in a frame, free-standing or on a roof, or most often integrated into the building itself. Wind Generators I’m sure you’ve all seen those huge wind turbines beside the road, but did you know you can actually have a wind generator at home? Wind turbines normally use horizontal axis with propeller-like blades, but wind more aerodynamic wind generators and the ones with the vertical axis are also being developed in order to try and overcome the problem of noise in urban usage. They are less efficient than the horizontal axis turbines but offer a compromise which can bring them to the urban households. Household wind generators are normally used to charge the battery bank for stand-alone electricity systems. They are usually installed in distant, semi-rural locations in order to optimize the output potential. Wind generators for domestic use are usually sized from about 300W to as high as 20kW. It is necessary to assess the location’s potential before choosing the size. Combination of wind and solar systems is ideal for the whole year-round, as the photovoltaic panels are the best in the summer, and wind generators are the most efficient in winter. Small Hydro Generators These generators are the least frequent domestic source of renewable energy as they operate by converting the flowing water energy to electricity and locations with sufficient source of the flowing water energy are incredibly difficult to find. Again, just like with the two previous systems, it is necessary to consults the experts assess the potential of hydro system site. Despite the apparent difficulties, more and more people are opting to use some degree of renewable energies in a bid to combat the worst of climate change and global warming. Read More: Grow These Flowering Plants In Your Home Garden To Remove Vastu Related Problems Additional Ways To Keep Your Home Warm Five Efficient Uses Of Propane In Your Home 5 Good Luck Plants That Deserves A Place In Your Home

7 Specifications You Should Look for When Buying a Home Generator

Specifications You Need To Look For Home Generator

1. Power Requirements:

2. Fuel Type:

3. Installation:

4. Placement:

5. Options:

6. Maintenance:

7. Warranty:

5 Features to Look for in a Business Energy Provider

10 Steps To Take To Set Up Solar Panels At Home

Tags

Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Popular

Technologies For Creating A Startup Idea

How to Download Facebook Videos on Android?

7 Rules of Effective Ecommerce Web Design

The 10 WordPress Plugins Every Sucessful Blogger Uses

Follow Us

Recent

Best Ways To Become An Electrician In 2024

Role Of Sound Design In Creating Memorable Advertisements

Data-Driven Insights And Enhancing Customer Experience

Simplify Your Conversions: A Powerful Cryptocurrency Conversion Calculator

Related

How to Choose a Clean Energy Provider for Your Texas Home or Business

Everything You Need To Know About Mobile Solar Generators

What Are Renewable Sources And How To Introduce Your Household

7 Specifications You Should Look for When Buying a Home Generator

Specifications You Need To Look For Home Generator

1. Power Requirements:

2. Fuel Type:

3. Installation:

4. Placement:

5. Options:

6. Maintenance:

7. Warranty:

Share this Article

5 Features to Look for in a Business Energy Provider

10 Steps To Take To Set Up Solar Panels At Home

Tags

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related