Emergency Generators

Everyone has experience it at least once, some more often than they’d care to think about. Power outage. It is a frustrating occurrence, and one that all too aptly demonstrates humans’ dependency on energy. Without it, we are stuck lighting candles and flashlights, unable to flush our own toilets, preserve our food, or entertain ourselves with the all-important social media. Luckily emerging technology has made it more and more affordable to ignore that pesky power outage and be the envy of the neighborhood. Emergency generators have become more and more common, and luckily for 90% of America, more affordable.

Portable vs. Standby

The first thing to consider when looking at a generator for emergency situations is whether you want portable or standby, and what kind of wattage you need. For recreation uses, you might only need up to 1,000 watts. Want to run serious appliances such as your hot water heater, stove, and fridge? Then you are looking probably past 5,000 watts. Most portable generators run between 2,500 and 4,000 watts. Another thing to consider is what you want or need the generator for. For those emergency situations where you truly just need a bit of juice for that all importance appliance, you should be fine with a portable generator. And don’t forget, if you get portable that means it can go where you do. Standby generators however pack a heavier punch, letting you accomplish more, and for longer. Also, because of the way they are designed, it will be hooked in, waiting for an outage, making your stoppage in power minimal.

Safety Concerns

Last, but not least, do not forget safety. Emergency generators are there to prevent emergencies, not create them. With regular maintenance, and careful monitoring, there shouldn’t be any problems. There are, however, a few things to keep in mind. First, portable generators shouldn’t be run indoors since they emit carbon monoxide. Make sure they’re run in an open, non-confined environment. Secondly, as gasoline is a highly flammable substance, it is important to adhere to safe practices. Do not resupply the generator when it is on, running, or hot. Also, the shelf life of gasoline is only six months, so it is important not to use expired gasoline. With standby generators, do not attempt to install without the help of a professional electrician. Also, close monitoring and maintenance is very important.

Emergency generators can help save lives, or just make lives easier. Worry over winter storms will be a thing of the past with a standby. Portable will allow any important activities to continue. Whatever the choice, enjoy safe and responsibly.

Pricing and Other Concerns

A serious issue for any family is pricing. While this is often the first factor considered, it shouldn’t be the last. Portable generators will always be less expensive than standby, and for good reason. Portable gas generators are great for must-have energy needs, but standby is the true solution to frequent power outages, and nothing beats them in an emergency. Also, there is a wider range of portable generators, for a variety of needs. If you’ve decided on portable, the first thing to consider is the tank size. Tank size directly relates to the duration the generator can provide power. It is important to plan out how serious your energy needs will be in case of a black out, and how long you want the generator to sustain power.

Setup

A slightly lesser, but no less valid concern is the ease of setup and use. Portables win the round here again, requiring minimal maintenance and setup to work properly. All that is needed is and open environment in which to run, gas to power it, and a few safety tips and precautions. Standby, on the other hand, require an electrician to install, possible transfer switches and an eye toward maintenance. Simply put, the average person will not be able to install a standby alone. They will need professional help, but the standby will deliver professional results. The portable will be easier to use, but won’t provide the same wattage or power durability as the standby.