The residential generator market is expected to grow by $87.76 million by the year 2025. With severe weather being the biggest cause for most power outages, their usefulness will only increase over the coming years. But do you know where to start when selecting one?
If not, we are here to help. Read on as we give our must-know guide on choosing a generator.
1. Budget
The first factor that will influence your decision to get a generator is your budget. There is a huge market out there with a lot of generator options. Your budget will dictate the type and size you are able to purchase.
Look through the generator features in the rest of the article. List their features as essential and note ones that would be nice, but are not imperative. You can cross-reference this with your budget and see which would be the one for you.
One tip about buying generators is to not buy the lowest cost one. Aim to get the best return on investment over a long period of time as opposed to the cheapest buy. Check online reviews and customer testimonials, and speak with others to see which brands and models are the most reliable.
2. Get the Right Size
When buying a generator, either for commercial or residential, it needs to be the right size. Too small, and you won’t have enough power for all the applications and functions you need. When you buy one that is too large, you are wasting money.
The types of generators can be broken down into three sizes. These are recreational, mid, and large-sized generators.
A recreational generator will provide you with around 2000 watts of power. These are typically smaller, portable units. You can use them to power computers, televisions, and phone chargers.
Up to 3500 watts can be provided by a mid-sized generator. These are more suitable for small homes and properties. Small heaters and AC units can be powered by them so you can get some climate control.
Larger generators are the ideal choice for a home. Most systems and applications will run on one of these, as it supplies 7500 watts.
3. Fuel Type
After this, decide on your fuel type. Generally, this comes down to diesel or petrol generators. Both have advantages and disadvantages.
Diesel generators will cost more. The payoff is that they are much more fuel-efficient. Their life span is also much longer.
A petrol generator is better for emergency use. They tend to be smaller and more portable than diesel ones.
You do have a third option for power, and that is a solar power generator. The mechanics and specifications tend to differ greatly compared to ones powered by petrol and diesel.
They work by taking in solar energy through panels. The energy that is collected goes through a solar charger and is stored in a rechargeable battery. Read this generator review on one of the most current and up-to-date solar models.
4. Portable or Stationary?
Next up you need to decide how you want to use your generator. This is a simple one, though there are some major pros and cons between the types of generators on offer.
Portable ones are great for anyone traveling, such as campers and those with an RV. They’re also handy for use in an emergency. Other than this, anyone who needs power in remote places for work should go with a portable generator.
Stationary ones are better for a property. Your home or business can be kept going even when the main power fails. Many of them can be used as backup and left outside without problems occurring in their mechanics, though larger ones may need housing.
5. Gas or Propane?
If you are getting a static generator for your home, you can also choose gas and propane as fuel. Propane generators are very cheap to run and the gas is plentiful. You only need to refill at regular intervals in an emergency, so if you are looking for a generator to use once in a while, it is a great choice.
Natural gas generators will be able to provide much more power in a more consistent manner. For more usage and larger requirements, go for the gas option.
6. Think About Maintenance and Installation
You can buy a generator and use it straight away. However, you will increase the lifespan of it if you start using a generator with a correct installation and you maintain it regularly.
There are a number of signs a generator may be wearing out. Issues with fuel, oil, or coolant are common. Any problems with electrics such as tripping or battery failure should be addressed.
The difference between a correctly installed and maintained generator and one that is not can be vast. You can expect the former to run for around 4000 hours in some cases. One that is not well kept may run for about 1500.
7. Storage
Be it a portable or static generator, you are going to need a place to store it. It is easy to underestimate this if you are going for something to power the whole property. You may need to budget for a shed or some sort of cover to go over this.
Even when choosing a portable device, you need to know where it will be during transportation. This could be as simple as clearing space in the back of a van or investing in a trailer.
Choosing a Generator
Now you know the main factors that influence your decision when choosing a generator, do some research. Check the size you need and set a budget. After this, look for top manufacturers and models.
If you enjoyed this article, check out our other content. From choosing a generator to maintaining the home, our tips can help you manage your property in the coming year.
Alison Lurie is a farmer of words in the field of creativity. She is an experienced independent content writer with a demonstrated history of working in the writing and editing industry. She is a multi-niche content chef who loves cooking new things.
