How to Choose a Generator: Buying Guide!

There are over 3,000 electric distribution systems in the US, but in 2018 each electricity customer witnessed power outages totaling roughly 5.8 hours per customer. Many factors play a role in interruptions, such as vegetation patterns, weather, and utility practices. Many people think they can manage with an emergency portable generator. However, even that may not end the frustration when you have to drive to the gas station, take your generator outside, and fiddle with extension cords to turn it on. A better option would be to go for a standby generator capable of powering up your entire property without any fuss.

Buying the Best Home Generator for Your Needs

Today, you can find a variety of generator options, including portable, standby, and inverter, but a standby home generator offers many incredible benefits. Yes, it may be a bit more expensive as compared to a portable generator, but it gives you peace of mind. Similarly, its maintenance may cost more, but it will not need it as frequently as other types of generators. It starts and stops automatically, comes with a higher power output of up to 20,000 watts, is weather-resistant, offers an extended run-time, and is a lot quieter than other types of generators. You can opt for whatever fuel type you prefer, including propane, natural gas, and gasoline, of course. 

Before buying a generator, keep in mind that different brands offer different features that make them more suitable for your special circumstances. The best generator is the one that suits your power requirements and can run as many appliances as you want during a power outage. You also need to consider the natural gas and liquid propane gas supply to pick the best product. Kohler generators are usually the preferred choice for most consumers because it comes with a commercial-grade engine designed for long operation. A commercial generator from Kohler is capable of running on natural gas as well as liquid propane and comes with an RXT transfer switch. With harmonic distortion staying under 5%, it can keep running without any trouble.

How to Select the Right Sized Generator for Your Home

There is no one-size-fits-all approach for choosing the right generator for your home because it depends on your unique needs and requirements. You will need a bigger generator if you want to run more than your central air conditioner. In most cases, you need an 11kW standby generator to run a 3-ton (36,000 BTU) generator.

Measured in watts, the power output of a home generator matters a lot, as a small camping generator is capable of producing up to 3,000 watts. However, a heavy-duty commercial generator can deliver 10, 000 watts or more.  To find a perfectly sized generator, you need to compare the power output with your energy needs. For this, you may want to make a list of all the devices you want to run during an emergency power outage. Usually, you can manage well with a generator rated at 5,000-7,500 watts, which can easily handle things like a refrigerator, lighting circuits, a freezer, and a well pump.

In case you are not sure what to do, you can contact us for assistance choosing a home generator suitable for your emergency needs and a free estimate.