Most of us depend on electricity in a big way and that’s why generators matter. There are so many applications of a generator and choosing a portable generator for your household will enable you to take it out on camping trips or to use in the garden as well as providing electricity during blackouts or when you need power away from electrical outlets. It can be very difficult choosing a generator because there are more options available than ever these days. You need to understand the choices if you expect to choose well. To help you to choose the size and type of generator required to meet your needs, this is your guide to picking the right portable generator.
1. Work Out Your Power Requirements
All generators have an engine that runs on fuel to create electricity independent of an electrical utility. Though most people buy a generator to provide electricity during a power failure, it’s surprising how many other applications come up when you’ve got access to independent power. The experts at Krugerpower.com.au told us that there are three main reasons for owning your own portable generator: supplying emergency household power during a blackout, operating tools and equipment away from electrical outlets and periodic operation of electrical appliances and equipment in your own home.
The first step to buying wisely is deciding how much power makes sense for Generator size is always described in watts of output. The more power you plan to use at any given time, the higher the wattage of the generator required. A 1200 watt model, for instance, provides basic power for lighting and charging in an easily portable package. A 3,500-watt generator provides the basics for household lighting, a refrigerator, and simple cooking with a hot plate or microwave, though not all these things at once. A 9,000-watt unit can power more household functions including a toaster oven, kettle, and range-top. A 12,500-watt generator can keep most homes running as normal during a blackout. As you’d expect, the higher the output of a generator, the heavier and more costly it will be.
Add up the wattage of all the items you expect to use at any one time, add 20% and that’s the size of the generator you will need. To work out your wattage requirements, there are many online generators where you input the appliances you intend to run and it will calculate the total watts that your generator will need to provide. Remember that the more electricity you demand from your generator, the more fuel it will burn. Though there’s more to fuel consumption than just the amount of power you use.
2. Choose an Open Frame or Inverter Generator
When it comes to portable generators, there are two main types: open frame generators and inverter generators. Open frame generators provide the highest wattage for a given purchase price. If your primary objective is basic backup power protection for your home with no need for quiet operation or variable engine speed, then an open frame is probably your best bet. Inverter generators cost more per watt of output, but they’re quieter and they use less fuel because engine speed varies with the amount of electricity demanded. If your family plans to use your portable generator to power in a trailer park or while camping, you’ll appreciate the lightweight, quieter operation, and more economical fuel consumption of an inverter. An emerging configuration of generators is called digital hybrids, which have the looks and lower cost of an open frame model, but the quieter operation, lower fuel consumption, and more refined electrical output of an inverter.
3. Choose a Petrol or Diesel Generator
Diesel and petrol generators work in the same way and provide the same power, but there are some key differences between them. It may be surprising to many people because diesel fuel is more expensive than petrol, but it is far cheaper to run a diesel generator. Diesel engines are far more fuel-efficient and so they cost a lot less money to operate which can save you 20% on fuel alone when compared to running a petrol generator. Diesel engines are significantly more reliable than petrol engines and so they require far less maintenance. This is partly because diesel engines are more simple than petrol engines and so there are fewer parts that could malfunction and which will need repairing or replacing. Diesel fuel also works as a lubricant as it burns so it lubricates the engine as the generator is running which increases its longevity.
4. Work Out Your Budget
The cost will obviously be a major factor when choosing your generator, but you do need to be careful. Remember that just because a generator is cheap to buy, it may end up costing you more in the long run if the generator is unreliable or inefficient. There’s no point in having an economic generator if it won’t work when you need it. You will find many generators that are expensive and disappointing while others are cheap and work great. A good portable generator that will suit the most household’s needs should not cost more than a few thousand dollars. Make sure to do thorough research into generators that have a proven track record of reliability.
Look for a company that offers good servicing options if something goes wrong with your generator. Whether you’re new to generators and the fix is simply flipping on the ignition switch, or the solution involves installing a whole new carburetor it will be very helpful if the company which sold you the generator ships out repair parts and explains how you can install them. Look out for a company that works closely with customers on a technical level.
Buying a portable generator is the cheapest insurance you can get to protect against power failure in your home and to provide power in a range of other applications. If you are looking for a generator, make sure to work out your power needs and decide what kind of generator will be the best for you. Use this article whilst choosing your generator and make sure to read online reviews to make sure you pick the right model.
