If you live somewhere where power cuts are quite the norm, it might be best to buy a generator as soon as possible.
In this article, we have shared some of the tits-bits that you should keep an eye on while doing so. Hopefully, it will make your journey as a consumer much easier.
How to Buy a Portable Generator?
If you are living in a small house and don’t need a massive amount of electricity power to keep your home alive – opting for a portable generator will be perfect for you.
These usually boast a smaller size and, therefore, can be kept almost anywhere in your room. In addition, you can also replace it from its location whenever you want.
So, let’s check how you can find the best option available in the market.
1: Check Your Required Wattage.
As mentioned before, a portable generator generally comes with a smaller size. Hence, the first thing you should check is whether it can carry the weight for your usual wattage requirement or not. Here’s a list of how much some common household equipment might require
- Microwave – 600W to 1,200W
- Refrigerator – 700W to 1,200W
- Freezer – 500W to 1,000W
Hence, if you want to ensure the connection of these appliances, the first thing you should do is to add their total wattage requirement. It should be around 2,800W on average.
Now, multiply the same with 1.5, which should take you to somewhere near 4,200. Thus, this is the wattage power you should look for when buying a generator.
2: The Availability of a Fuel Stabilizer.
Most people tend to use a portable generator as a backup power option for their purpose. But, if you are thinking about using the same as your main source of electricity, make sure to opt for a product that comes with a fuel stabilizer.
It’s a tool that can stabilize the stored gas for quite some time. This, in turn, can reduce the risk of an accident or something as such, which might occur when you store the fuel for a long time.
Also when you’re buying a portable generator, make sure to go for something that runs on a gas called propane. It’s less risky and doesn’t cost a huge amount of money either.
3: Look for Wheels.
Although a portable generator tends to be quite lightweight, it can’t be lifted up by one person.
So, if you’re already having some problem with mobility, it might be impossible for you to take it from one place to another. It will be particularly difficult when you’re moving to a new place.
So, when you are buying a portable generator, always make sure to check if it comes with four wheels or not. This should make it easier for you to push it around and keep it wherever you’re thinking to put it. Also, check if the outer side of the wheel is made with rubber or not.
What about a Standby Generator?
Like a portable option, you should always buy a standby generator after calculating the amount of power you might need for your purpose. However, that’s not the only thing you should focus on. There are three other things to consider before purchasing a standby generator.
1: Does Your Area Experience Power Cuts Too Frequently?
If your power goes out occasionally, you will need a more modest and less powerful generator. But, if the issue occurs too frequently, you will need something more powerful.
Like a standby generator.
Due to the capacity it has, this type of generator can store a massive amount of power. Hence, it can be used both in a residential place as well as during an industrial work.
Generators are usually quite expensive. And if we are talking about a standby option, it will be even more pricey to go with. Apart from the purchasing expense, you will need to spare a lot of money for professional installation too.
So, before you buy it, ask yourself – do you really need it?
2: Noise Level – How Much is Too Much?
As a large piece of equipment, a standby generator will make a lot of noise whilst working. In some cases, it might be too much to bear the sound it makes when powering your house.
So, before you make a purchase, always learn about the noise level first.
If we’re talking about an average level of noise, a standby generator might make somewhere around 65 dB to 80 dB noise. Now, if you keep it at a distance of 23 feet, it would be perfect in your case. However, anything more than that is a huge NO!
In any case, if you still have a little bit of spare money left after purchasing and installing a generator, you may buy something to suppress the noise a little.
Check this website to get more information regarding the same.
3: Does It Run on Liquefied Petroleum?
LPG, in essence, is a much safer and cleaner option than diesel and petrol fuel. Yes, it can be a little expensive, if we’re being honest. However, the price is worth it.
Why?
Well, to begin with, petrol isn’t really a good option for people who’re living in a colder region. It can even be dangerous if you keep it within the machine for a prolonged period.
On the other hand, diesel can cause quite a lot of noise while working. And if you keep using it for some time, it might also affect the internal section of the generator.
Yes, diesel can be quite effective while running on a heavy load. However, it’s not really worth the risk. So, if you want to stay clear of these issues, opt for petroleum.
The Final Say!
So, that’ll be all for this article. We hope we could answer whatever question you were seeking answers to through this one. However, if there’s something you want to know about, comment below. We’ll try our best to answer your questions as quickly as possible.
