If you’ve ever felt the effects of a black out that lasted for hours, you probably want to get your own home generator by now. A home generator can save you the frustration of using battery-powered light sources and hoping that the battery will last longer.
Have you ever had to live through a power outage without anything to use as a source of electricity? Here are some tips for you if you’re thinking of buying your very first home generator.
One common mistake is getting a generator that’s either too big or too small for your needs . Consider the number of appliances you regularly use and how many people are using electricity inside your home. A bit of computation will do you good. Look at your average electricity consumption and use that as basis for choosing a home generator.
To be on the safe side, always get a generator that provides a bit more power than you regularly use. You don’t want your generator to be overloaded. You also need to consider the expense of keeping a larger generator.
Most generators use propane or diesel. But some models have been modified to use solar energy and wind energy. Solar and wind energy are ideal as fuel especially with good climatic conditions, but what you cut back in fuel expenses may go to solar panel and windmill installation.
Select between portable generators and standby generators. Portable generators are cheaper, and can be brought along when you need to evacuate. A standby model can only be kept in one place, but the power output is greater than that of the portable model. Whether portable or standby, go for a model that automatically turns on when there’s a power outage.
You should also consider whether the generator will be used for business purposes. Portable generators may not be enough to power your business. Most restaurants use standby generators. If power outage is not a normal occurrence in your locality, you can go for the portable model. Portable generators can fit inside the trunk of your car and used for camping purposes.
You also need to allot space for your generator. A large, industrial-size generator can easily eat up your basement space . You also need to protect your generator from rain. Get a waterproof cover for your generator so that you can use it longer.
Be brand-conscious when it comes to your generator. Go for brands that have the reputation for quality. Sometimes, expensive types don’t need to be maintained as frequently as the cheaper counterparts.
As an alternative, you can also look at generator rental as a solution. Other than that, get a Toro lawn mowers too.
