{"id":62721,"date":"2024-09-06T06:46:13","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T06:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aaronsnew.wpenginepowered.com\/houston\/?p=62721"},"modified":"2024-09-23T12:12:07","modified_gmt":"2024-09-23T12:12:07","slug":"generator-buying-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aaronselectricalservice.com\/houston\/blog\/generator-buying-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Generator Buying Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/09\/365297_18.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/p>\n<p>Generators can make power outage problems a thing of the past for savvy homeowners. When your power is taken out by a storm or any other event, a generator will kick in to provide you with electricity so you can stay comfortable and avoid the inconvenience of waiting for the electric company to restore power. People often buy generators when they hear a big storm is on its way, forcing them to make an important decision in a short time frame while generators are being bought up quickly. If you want to be able to rest easy when the next big storm is forecasted, use this buying guide to choose the best generator for your needs, ahead of the crowds.<\/p>\n<h2>Factors to Consider When Buying a Generator<\/h2>\n<p>When it comes to choosing a generator, it\u2019s important to consider all the factors. Choosing one that is too powerful, not powerful enough, or entirely wrong for your needs will leave you with a headache at best, and with no power when you need it at worst.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Always consider the following factors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Type<\/strong>: Portable vs. whole-home?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Fuel Source<\/strong>: Gasoline, diesel, natural gas, or propane?<\/li>\n<li><strong>Size<\/strong>: How much power do you need?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Read on to learn more about each of these important considerations!<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Portable Generator vs. Whole-Home Generator<\/h2>\n<p>Homeowners have two options when shopping for generators: portable or whole-home:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Portable generators<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Portable generators are \u2013 you guessed it \u2013 portable. In the event of an outage, this type of generator needs to be taken out of storage, connected to your electrical panel, and manually turned on. Most portable generators run on gasoline and use quite a lot of it to do their job \u2013 they may burn through 12\u201320 gallons per day. They can\u2019t produce as much power as whole-home generators, making it difficult to run multiple large appliances while the main power is out. The main benefit to this type of generator is affordability; you can typically find one for as low as $400, and you don\u2019t need to pay a professional to install it.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Whole-home generators \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0Also called standby or stationary generators, these reliable backups are permanently installed in your home by a professional contractor. When the main power goes off, they will automatically kick on to restore your power within seconds. They are designed to power your entire house for an extended period of time. Because they use propane or natural gas, they can run for days without refueling. The only real downside to whole-home generators is the price tag; they can easily be 5-10 times as expensive as portable generators and will need to be installed by a professional. However, they provide much more security in the event of a power outage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Generator Fuel Sources: Gasoline, Diesel, Natural Gas, or Propane<\/h2>\n<p>Generators are built to run on one of four fuel sources. Each one has advantages and disadvantages, so it\u2019s important to consider your specific situation when deciding which type of generator to buy:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Gasoline<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Gasoline generators are among the least expensive, and gas is an easily obtained fuel in most cases. However, it is less efficient than other fuel types, meaning you\u2019ll need to store a lot of it to be prepared for a lengthy outage. Given gasoline\u2019s short shelf life and the danger of storing large quantities, it might not be a good choice if your chances of needing your generator are low.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Diesel<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Diesel generators require less upkeep than other types. Diesel is a more efficient fuel source than gasoline, meaning you\u2019ll get more runtime for the same amount of fuel. It also has a longer shelf life and is less dangerous to store than gasoline, making it a good option for homeowners who don\u2019t anticipate having to use their generators often. Unfortunately, diesel is a major pollutant and produces significantly more harmful emissions that other fuel sources.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Natural Gas<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Natural gas is a very clean, inexpensive fuel. To use this efficient fuel source, you\u2019ll need to hook your generator up to a gas line. While a little inconvenient at first, this will ensure that your generator has an unlimited fuel source as long as the utility company keeps providing natural gas. However, in the event of an earthquake or other serious disaster, the natural gas supply may be interrupted.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Propane<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Although clean burning, propane is the least efficient fuel choice for generators. However, it does not degrade in storage, making it an attractive option for homeowners who anticipate only rare power outages. While it is less expensive than gasoline or diesel, its low efficiency makes propane generators more expensive to run than all other types.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Generator Sizes<\/h2>\n<p>When you wonder \u201cWhat size generator do I need?\u201d what you really want to say is \u201cHow many watts do I need?\u201d Generators are sized based on their electrical output, which is measured in watts. The smallest generators, such as those used for camping, produce around 800-1000 watts. Large industrial generators can produce up to 500,000 watts. Portable generators for home use generally go up to 7,500 watts, although some high-end models offer up to 17,500. Standby generators can produce up to 22,000 watts.<\/p>\n<h2>How Much Power Do I Need?<\/h2>\n<p>This is where generator sizing gets tricky! How much power you need depends on your home, your appliances, and the things you want to power during a power outage. If you choose a generator that is too small, you can overload it. This can damage both the generator and your appliances. If you choose a generator that is too big, you\u2019ll end up paying unnecessary costs to purchase and fuel it.<\/p>\n<p>The best way to know how much power you need is to add up the wattage requirements of all your appliances. It\u2019s important to base this calculation on your appliances\u2019 \u201cstarting wattage.\u201d For example, a refrigerator may need around 2900 watts to start its motor, then 700 to keep running. To run your refrigerator, you need at least 2900 watts, since it won\u2019t run if its motor can\u2019t start. Most generator manufacturers offer generator sizing charts that list the average wattage requirements of all common home appliances. You can decide which things you would like to power \u2013 just the essentials, such as your refrigerator and AC, or every electrical appliance in your home. Based on this calculation, you can choose the appropriately sized generator for your needs.<\/p>\n<h2>Tips for Using a Generator Safely<\/h2>\n<p>Generators are extremely useful, but improper use can result in tragedy. Every year, generator misuse results in deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning, as well as injuries and burns. Follow these tips for safe generator use:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Place your generator far from your home<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Generators give off carbon monoxide, so never place your generator in a garage, crawl space, or other enclosed space. Keep it at least 20 feet from your home.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Refuel safely<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Turn off your generator and let it cool down before adding more fuel.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Store fuel properly<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Store your gasoline, diesel, or propane in approved containers and in cool, well-ventilated areas.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use a\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"\/transfer-switch-interlock-installation\"><strong>transfer switch<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013 For portable generators, a transfer switch connects your generator to your circuit panel. This helps you avoid relying on extension cords and can also prevent overload by displaying wattage readings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t back-feed your house<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Back-feeding refers to the practice of powering your home\u2019s electrical system by plugging a generator directly into a wall outlet. This dangerous practice bypasses your home\u2019s built-in electrical safety features, meaning you could fry your appliances or start an electrical fire. It can also electrocute utility workers or neighbors who are on the same transformer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Be Ready for the Next Power Outage in Houston, TX<\/h2>\n<p>When chosen appropriately for your specific needs, properly sized and safely used generators can provide much-needed power through the longest outages. By making an informed choice, you can keep your power on while keeping your family safe.<\/p>\n<p>The best way to ensure that you\u2019re ready for a power outage is to consult a\u00a0<a href=\"\/general-electrician\/\">reliable electrician<\/a>\u00a0for generator installation and repair. Do you need\u00a0<a href=\"\/generators\/\">generator<\/a>\u00a0help in Houston, TX? At Aaron\u2019s Electrical Service, we install standby generators in Houston homes and offer\u00a0<a href=\"\/transfer-switch-interlock-installation\">transfer switches and interlock kits<\/a>\u00a0for portable generators in Houston. We also repair generators, so give us a call if your generator is experiencing issues!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"\/contact\/\"><strong>Contact us online<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0or call us at\u00a0<a href='tel:281-719-0464'>281-719-0464<\/a> to request a free estimate\u00a0for generator services in Houston, TX.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Generators can make power outage problems a thing of the past for savvy homeowners. When your power is taken out by a storm or any<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-62721","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaronselectricalservice.com\/houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62721","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaronselectricalservice.com\/houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaronselectricalservice.com\/houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaronselectricalservice.com\/houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaronselectricalservice.com\/houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62721"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/aaronselectricalservice.com\/houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62721\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aaronselectricalservice.com\/houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62721"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaronselectricalservice.com\/houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62721"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aaronselectricalservice.com\/houston\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62721"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}