Buying Guide: How To Choose A Generator

Generators let you carry on with life when the power fails. They also allow you to bring energy to remote areas for work and play. Use this guide as a generator checklist to compare models, features, and benefits to find the right equipment.

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Uses and Applications

Generators supply power when and where you need it. They are indispensable during those initial stages of a construction project when you do not have an electrical hook-up. Depending on the generator’s power output, you can run some essential equipment or power a household.

• You can take them on camping trips to enjoy a few creature comforts in the wild or power emergency equipment and battery chargers.

A standby generator is a lifesaver if you own a business, keep valuable data on your computer, or run medical equipment in your home. You install it outside your building and connect it to your building’s electrical system. When the power goes out, these generators kick on automatically to restore power quickly. Set up a disaster-ready site for you and your loved ones, or make sure you will not miss a minute of the big game with the right standby generator at your side.

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Capacity

Voltage/Output Control

Basic types of generators run at a constant rate and create power that might exceed your needs. Many manufacturers make higher-grade models with voltage regulation technology that delivers consistent voltage, even if the equipment is not running consistently at the targeted RPM; this helps reduce the risk of surges and sags damaging your electronics. Some models have an output control feature that decreases engine load and fuel consumption when you are not using much power. If maintaining enough fuel is an issue or you do not plan to run many devices, find a model with voltage regulation.

Wattage

To ensure you get the right generator, consider how many and what types of appliances you plan to power. Start by doing a power survey by:

• Check the labels of all the appliances or tools you need to run for their power consumption in Watts.
• Add up the devices’ total Wattage.
• Add half that number to the total to calculate the power each device needs.
• Note: You can get by with a smaller generator if you do not need to run your devices simultaneously, such as a TV and a radio.

This handy generator comparison should give you an idea of which models will meet your requirements. A small 1,000-watt portable generator can power your kitchen’s refrigerator or run the TV and keep some lights on. A mid-range 5,000-watt model can run a belt sander, table saw, and work lights, especially if you switch between devices. You can enjoy many modern conveniences with a top-rated generator that produces 10,000 Watts or more.

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Standby Generators

Standby generators run on either propane or natural gas, or both. Propane is inexpensive to fill and is readily available in every area. If your tank holds 250 gallons of propane, you can enjoy up to two weeks of electricity for your household, depending on demand and how quickly your generator burns the fuel. A natural gas model hooks directly to your line for constant power that does not require refilling.

Not every area has natural gas or ample pressure to supply a powerful generator. If your home or business is in a low-pressure area, purchase a model rated for your property’s specific availability. A low-pressure natural gas model is your best bet when you cannot find the precise pressure at your home.

Aesthetics

You cannot move one of these types of generators once you place it. Check local ordinances and your homeowners’ association to ensure your placement choice is acceptable before you install it. Most come in neutral colors, such as gray, black, or shades of brown, to complement most exterior color schemes. You do not want to deal with much noise, nor do your neighbors. Research every generator’s decibel level and know that a jump in ten decibels implies the sound produced is ten times louder.

Materials and Safety Considerations

These generators have protective shells to protect their parts from the wind, rain, and other elements. Galvanized steel is rust-resistant, but aluminum or shells made from the same material as truck bed lining are entirely immune to rust and can withstand more punishing weather. However, they might not stand up to impact as well as steel. If you live in an area with frigid winters, install a cold weather kit to keep it operational in harsh conditions.

Cooling System

Standby generators create a lot of heat. They stay cool either with a set of fans (air-cooled) or a radiator system (liquid-cooled). Liquid cooling is quieter since it does not require moving parts but uses more power, so you tend to see it only on larger models.

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Application	Possible uses	Best type	Comments
Home back up	Medical equipment, computers, home appliances	Standby	Longest run time of all generators
Recreational	Radios, TV, computers, cooking equipment, battery chargers	Portable	Most convenient type of generator overall
Industrial	Welding tools, corded tools, cordless battery chargers	Portable/Welding	Come with welding equipment included

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Portable Generators

Portable generators feature either a pull or electric start. A pull-start generator turns on much like a lawnmower, which requires effort that you might not want to make during inclement weather or an emergency. Electric stars are simple affairs that only require pressing a button or turning a key.

Outlet options

The Wattage your generator produces determines how much power it provides, but the number of available outlets also limits it. Most of these types of generators have two or four outlets. A two-outlet model is sufficient if you only run battery chargers or a few items.

Invest in a four-outlet version if you use a portable generator for emergency backup. Welder generators, a particular dual-purpose generator that combines the functions of a welder and a generator, have a greater variety of receptacles to power other demanding equipment.

Size and transportability

If you plan to keep the generator in your garage until an emergency arises, transportability is not much of an issue. If you want to take it to the job site or on a trip, you need to know if a model is small enough to fit in your truck bed, trunk, or trailer and how much it weighs.

The greater a generator’s power output, the more it is likely to weigh. Not every portable generator features a wheel, so check the specifications before you buy.

Fuel type and run time

These types of generators run on gasoline or propane. Propane is clean-burning and lasts forever in the tank, while gasoline produces fumes and spoils if you do not use it, which can lead to internal damage. Gasoline-powered generators run longer than propane-burning equipment of similar sizes.

Applications

Smaller portable models are ideal to bring along on day trips where you want to use a specific device. If you’re going to power a few tools on a job site, then a portable generator capable of powering your essential tools is what you need. You can use larger top-rated generator models for home power in an emergency, but you must keep it outside and far away from your home to prevent carbon monoxide from entering the house. It would be best to have enough extension cords to run from each outlet, or a professional electrician can wire it to your home’s circuits for an inexpensive emergency backup system.

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Generator Comparisons

Application	Possible uses	Best type	Comments
Home back up	Medical equipment, computers, home appliances	Standby	Longest run time of all generators
Recreational	Radios, TV, computers, cooking equipment, battery chargers	Portable	Most convenient type of generator overall
Industrial	Welding tools, corded tools, cordless battery chargers	Portable/Welding	Come with welding equipment included

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Conclusion

Whether you are a contractor who needs to power heavy-duty equipment in a remote location, a business owner who needs to protect your data or other assets, or someone who wants to keep their family comfortable and safe, we have a generator for you. Take your household power needs into your hands today and ensure you have everything you need in an emergency or when you want extra fun on your next adventure.

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Would you like more information on choosing between a Portable Generator and a Whole House Standby Generator? Read more.