Power outages can happen at any time. If that happens, you must have a ready supply for your home. And one simple way to have a temporary supply of power for a few hours is through portable generators. If you’ve looked for one these days, Below are 5 of the best portable generators for home use, but before that…
Which Is the Best Option?
Generators are fast becoming a necessity for each and every household and business. It also makes sense to have a generator just in case there is a blackout and you need a backup source of power. Hence many residences have decided to install generators so that they have an option to power up their houses in case of an emergency or a natural disaster.
When it comes to standby generators I usually refer to two brands which are tried and tested and which won’t shut down abruptly or cause you inconvenience in the long run. The two brands in question are Generac and Kohler and both of them are more often than not brilliant affordable standby generators for your home.
When choosing a generator, it’s important to ensure that you know exactly what you are looking for, for most homeowners it would make no sense to buy a generator 20,000-watt standby generator, not only can this be an extremely expensive proposition, it will also be inefficient and you might cost you an arm and a leg in running cost as well.
Source: Wikimedia
When trying to find an affordable generator it’s important to, first of all, remember the purpose for which it is being bought. For e.g. a standby generator is going to cost you more than a portable generator, but at the same time, it allows a business or a production house to work with a steady stream of an uninterrupted power supply. Hence the standby generator is efficient in the sense that it is allowing the business to conduct its operations without interruptions. However, if this same standby generator is installed at home is not only a waste of resources but as I have previously mentioned is probably going to cost you an arm and a leg.
Finding an Affordable Portable Generator
The first question you should ask yourself when buying a portable gas generator is diesel or gas? Each one of them has their distinct advantages however diesel is a more expensive medium of fuel. I mostly recommend individuals to get a gas-powered portable generator which is easy to store and is perfect as a backup power source. Furthermore, these gas-powered generators are also quiet and clean which means you won’t have to listen to the hum drum of the generator constantly. The ideal portable generator should be above 1500 watts and cost somewhere around the $700 mark.
Source: Wikimedia
Finding an Affordable Standby Generator
A standby generator is a different proposition altogether and is usually going to be used for businesses or very large homes. For those of you who can afford the standby generator, I would suggest getting a 20kW smart switch generator. Be warned though such generators can cost you anywhere north of $3000. A standby generator, however, can be great, as it will allow you to run nearly all your major appliances and will give you an uninterrupted source of energy. I would recommend buying the Generac Guardian series as it is extremely reliable, and I have had little to no problems for the past three years. You can say that it is one of the most sound investments that I have ever made.
When buying a generator or any other thing for that matter it is necessary to do your due diligence, and ensure that you are indeed getting the right product for your purpose. Hence before making any purchase be sure to delve in and out into the specifications and the make of the brand. At times the simplest of things can result in saving you a lot of time, money and effort.
Choose the Right Generator for the Right Purpose
Choosing the right generator for the task is very important but sometimes we find it difficult to pick the right one as there are many options available. You should consider a few important things before hiring or buying the generator for the task. Firstly, you should check the amount of power you need from the generator. After that, you should consider the surrounding where you are going to use the generator. This will help in choosing you the right generator. Always check the run time of the generator. Also if you are hiring a generator for a small outdoor event then portable generator or a propane generator is a good option.
You can contact a power solutions services provider for hiring the right generator. They can also tell you what the generator is suitable for the task. The greatest benefit of hiring a generator is that you don’t need to worry about maintenance, routine checkup, and storage. Always aim to hire a durable and cost-effective generator. If you are hiring a generator for the long term then you should carefully make a contract with the services provider.
This infographic, created by Temporary Power Solutions, revolves around the important tips you can follow to choose the right generator for the right purpose. Check out the infographic and don’t forget to share.
Best Portable Generators for Home Use
Westinghouse WH7500E Portable Generator
This portable gas-powered generator, has 4-stroke, 420cc, overhead valve engine for optimal performance. It can be started by both electric start, for convenience, and manual start, as a backup just in case. It churns out 7,500 running watts and 9,000 starting watts, enough for average household requirements. It can achieve quiet operation as it comes with Pulse-Flo muffler. It also has simplified control center and LCD hour meter so you won’t have a hard time understanding or guessing while it’s operating. It as well has a full enclosure that protects its electrical connections from debris and weather. To suit every need, it comes with four 120-volt and a single 120/240-volt twist outlets. Weighing just around 168lbs, it can be easily transferred around the house.
Champion Power Equipment 42436 1500-Watt Portable Generator
This generator produces 1200 Watts with 1500 Watts when maxed out. It’s powered by Champion’s 80cc OHV engine with cast iron sleeve and is CARB- compliant. It comes with one 120V Outlet. It is very portable with its 56 lbs. weight and you can easily carry it around without breaking as sweat. Although it does not have much power output, this engine can run for straight 10 hours on full tank of gas when utilized up to 50-percent of its maximum load. It comes with 2 year limited warranty for additional peace of mind.
DuroMax XP10000E
This is a proper choice for heavy users. Featuring a 16.0-horsepower,air-cooled OHV engine, that cranks out 8,000 watts of power and a peak of 10,000, this is more than enough for an average home. It has a huge 8.3 gallon gas tank for longer operating hours. It is EPA Approved but is not CARB-compliant. But with all the other useful features such dual starting system of both manual and electric and dual 33-amp circuit breaker for overloads, it has real value under its sleeves. It also has a volt meter so you can monitor your generator’s output range at all times. It even comes with battery charge indicator light that lets you know when the generator’s starter battery is charging. And with its Automatic Low Oil Shut Off, you can have a worry operation each time.
Sportsman GEN4000LP
If you want a median to conquer power and better portability, this 3250-watt machine can be your buddy. It has 4000 surge watts through its 7 HP, 4 stroke OHV, recoil start engine which delivers efficient performance. It uses a standard gas grill style LPG tank with its 5-foot regulator hose, which is included in the package. It has AVR automatic voltage regulation, low oil shut off, spark arrestor, full power panel with engine shut off switch for easy operation. It sports two 120 volt outlets and one 12 volt DC outlet for battery charging. It can continuously run for 10 hours at 50 percent load per 20-pounds of LPG fuel.
Yamaha EF2000iS
If you want perfect portability, this is a very good choice. This portable generator from Yamaha has 1600 watts rated AC output which is quite enough as an emergency power source at 120V. This unit is perfect for complaining neighbors as it operates with little hum, 51.5 dBA at 1/4 load, with USFS-approved spark arrestor. It also has Smart Throttle which varies engine speed based on load and in turn improves fuel economy and helps reduce noise. It comes with Inverter system with Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) control and is CARB Compliant.
