Choosing the Right Generator for Your Home

Power outages are more common than ever. Natural disasters and man-made accidents can knock out electrical service for days or more.

A generator is an affordable and convenient way to power essential appliances in a power outage. Choosing the right one for your home requires a little research and planning.

Know Your Power Needs

You’ll need to make a list of all the appliances and devices you want to run during an outage, along with their total wattage requirements. This can be done by adding up the running wattage requirements of each device (which you can typically find on their labels or in their user manuals) as well as the starting wattage needs for motor-driven devices like refrigerators and sump pumps.

Remember to also consider that a generator can only run for so long before it needs to be refueled, and that fuel costs will vary depending on the type of generator you choose as well as its efficiency and size. Generators can be powered by standard gasoline, liquid propane, or diesel.

Liquid propane is more environmentally friendly and lasts longer in storage, but requires a professional installation that includes a subpanel and special inlet. Diesel generators are more expensive, but offer better performance and fuel efficiency. Regardless of your choice, avoid cheap generators from fly-by-night companies; they may not produce sufficient power or have the necessary quality to prevent damage to sensitive electronics and appliances.

Know Your Budget

When deciding on the generator you want to purchase, it is important to factor in any installation costs as well as maintenance. Generators require professional installation to ensure that they can be properly connected and operated. Depending on the type of generator you choose, this can involve anything from a concrete pad to installing a permanent hookup to your home’s electrical system. Maintenance needs can also be significant, including regular inspections and filter changes.

The size of a generator is typically based on its maximum power output, measured in watts (W). To determine the power capacity you need, start by adding up the total wattage requirements for all the appliances and devices you want to use. Remember to include both starting wattage, which is required to turn on motors, as well as running wattage, which is the amount of energy used to operate them. You should choose a generator that is rated for at least 1000W more than your total simultaneous load.

Know Your Installation Needs

In addition to determining the type and size generator you need, consider where it should be installed. A standby generator needs to be located near your home’s point of electrical service, typically in the breaker panel. You’ll also need to invest in a transfer switch, which is essentially a sensor and switch that allows you to turn on your generator during an outage.

This device ensures that power only flows from the generator to your home and not back into the grid, which could electrocute workers trying to restore power. It costs between $100 and $200 to install and is relatively easy for a professional electrician.

Another option is to route your generator’s outlets through the house’s smoke detector circuit, which allows you to flip a switch on your breaker panel and automatically send power to designated outlets (that should be labeled) that everyone knows will work during an outage. You’ll still need a transfer switch, but this method is less expensive and requires less installation time.

Know Your Options

Choosing the right generator can be a complicated process. There are a lot of factors to consider, including the type and size of generator you need, installation costs, maintenance needs, and fuel cost.

You’ll need to correctly size the generator for your home to ensure that it has enough power to keep your appliances running during an outage. Start by making a list of all the appliances you want to be powered during an outage, and determine their total wattage. Then, add up the wattage of all these items to get your maximum simultaneous load.

You’ll also need to consider how you’ll power your devices if you don’t have a transfer switch installed. If you plan on using extension cords, make sure they are heavy-duty and have a thick enough gauge wire to safely handle the amount of electricity that will be flowing through them. You should also use a cord with a twist-lock end that will prevent the cord from pulling loose or becoming damaged when it’s plugged in and unplugged.