It’s said prevention is better than cure. This statement is true in your power backup plan because a blackout can happen at any time. And if you get caught unprepared, the losses can be unimaginable. Thus, investing in whole-home generators is a wise decision.
While it’s a wise move, purchasing a whole home generator is a different ball game altogether. If it’s your first time, you can feel like you’re in a jungle with no end in sight, leading to you making costly blunders, further compounding your power problems. So, what and how should you approach a whole home generator purchase?
On the one hand, it’s easy, but on the other, if you don’t know what to consider. Here are the must-consider factors to give you a head start and make shopping for a home generator fun.
But before then, a definition of the whole home generator would suffice. Right?
What Is a Whole Home Generator?
A generator is an appliance that provides power to your home while your main supply has been cut off. It’s common with people whose power source is the national grid. However, anyone can install it to be their primary source of power.
You can look at it like a small power plant within your home. They come in different sizes and are powered either through:
- Gasoline
- Propane
- Solar
- Natural gas
In most cases, the generator type and model determine what it’ll run on. Based on this, we have the following generator types:
- Solar generators
- Standby generators
- Inverter generators
- Portable generators
Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Whole Home Generator
Overall, you don’t want to buy a too-big generator that increases your bills or is too small to meet your needs. With this in mind, here are factors and questions to ask yourself.
What Are Your Actual Power Needs?
This is the most essential factor. Ideally, you want a home generator that perfectly powers your appliances without straining or being overly powerful. And the best way to answer this question is by looking at your appliances and their wattage.
Additionally, consider if you will use all your appliances with the generator. Some appliances, such as a heater, may be mandatory if you live in winter-prone areas. Other devices have negligible power and thus aren’t a concern as such.
According to Pennsylvania State University, the following are the typical wattage needs of some common household appliances.
- Refrigerator: 725 watts
- Clothes dryer: 1800-5000 watts
- Water heater: 4500-5500 watts
- Coffee maker: 900 – 1200 watts
- Clothes washer: 350 – 500 watts
- Heater (portable): 750 – 1500 watts
So, before applying the “Bigger is better” mantra, take a moment to assess your needs.
What Will Be Your Fuel Source?
Gee, the choices! Whole-home generators run on gas, solar, propane, or gasoline. And each has its pros and cons. Budget also plays a role as you don’t want extra costs.
Gasoline mainly powers portable generators, while propane fuels portable and standby generators. Natural gas is ideal for standby generators.
Additionally, you should buy a home generator whose fuel source is easy to find. Otherwise, you’ll run around looking for fuel and still be in darkness in the worst-case scenario.
The trick here is to assess your local fuel availability. Consider the generator’s runtime, and decide which fuel best aligns with your lifestyle.
What Is Your Budget?
It goes without saying. Your budget will determine the whole home generator you’ll take home. Generally, standby generators cost more, while portable generators are more affordable.
Other factors worthy of consideration are:
- Number of outlets: The more outlets the generator has, the more devices you can run simultaneously
- Automatic and electric start: These two make it easy to start your generator when there is a blackout. The former auto starts while the latter lets you easily start the generator with a switch.
Wrap up
In the grand scheme, your whole-home generator choice should offer reliability and efficiency. So, rushing into decision-making should be the last thing on your mind. Take your time to weigh the options by considering your needs and choosing a generator that suits your lifestyle, like a tailor-made suit.