Factors to Consider in Buying a Home Power Generator
Saturday, March 8th, 2008Buying 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.
In order for this not to happen to you, be sure to consider the factors discussed in this article that will help you in buying your next home power generator.
What is the first thing that I should take into account?
Of course, you want to buy a home power generator for emergency home power backup. This means you require for it to supply electricity to your home. For this purpose, the first thing you should take into account is the amount of electricity you usually need at home. Generally, a generator that can supply 3000-5000 watts can suffice for average-sized homes between 1000-3000 square feet.
But no matter how big or small your home is, what really matters is the number of electrical devices you have at home. For this reason, and in order for you to get a more definite estimate of your energy consumption, sum up the number and type of electrical devices that will need to be powered at the same time. You can find watt ratings printed on the device, or in manuals and boxes. Use this to serve as your reference. Sum up all the wattage requirements of the electrical 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
Determine what type of fuel your generator will be running on. Today, gas, diesel, propane and natural gas can be used as a fuel. Also, check out the size of the tank so you can assess the number of hours operating time a generator 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 you plan to position your home power generator near your windows, consider getting one with a protected control panel. The control panel of your generator must be protected from rain, dust, and other debris.
Outlets
As a safety precaution, make sure you have enough outlets available to handle everything you need. Also bear in mind that they must be protected by a circuit breaker in order to avoid accidents that may lead to a fire.
As a whole, buying a home power generator is not as puzzling as you think it is if you only know what to look for in one.