Stationary Generator Prices

There used to be a time when only certain natural disasters were related to different parts of the world. It seems, though, that natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes are occurring in places where they weren’t an issue before.

Some of these natural disasters and weather extremes in Indiana State include:

• Tornadoes. The State of Indiana is ranked #4 on the U.S. Tornado Index.
• Floods. The last major flood was in June of 2008, causing damages that exceeded $1 billion.
• Hail. Falling hail has been recorded about 4,500 times between 1950 and 2010.

These natural disasters and other extreme weather conditions will damage the power stations and power lines, causing power outages. In these cases, it’s essential to have a stationary generator to provide the power necessary to run the essential thing in your home.

What is a Stationary Generator?

A stationary generator, also known as a standby generator, is permanently added to a building. When you experience a power outage, these generators will automatically turn on.

Stationary generators prices can range anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000. Since they are permanent fixtures, they should be installed by a professional. Installation and labor fees would be in addition to the generator prices.

One of the many advantages of a stationary generator is that it directly connects to the electric box. Using a transfer switch, it can go from standby to power with little interruption.

What Should I Keep in Mind When Choosing a Stationary Generator?

When deciding on which stationary generator you should buy, keep in mind:

• Generator power
• Harmonic distortion levels
• Fuel source
• Local ordinances

Generator Power

A stationary generator can provide anywhere from 5,000 watts to 20,000 watts. To understand what this means, you only need about 5,500 watts to run just the essentials like a refrigerator, window air conditioning, and some lights around the house.

Any stationary generator that exceeds this power level will run much more in a building, depending on the size. You can determine the best stationary generator that suits you by calculating the wattage of the appliances and systems you want to run in case of a power outage.

Harmonic Distortion Levels

Every stationary generator will give off harmonics distortions, which are variations in the power levels. Higher levels can negatively affect sensitive yet essential electronics like laptops, computers, and televisions. 

Fuel Source

Stationary generators can run either on natural gas or propane. Deciding which is better depends on what’s available around you and which is cheaper. These types of fuel will last longer than gasoline.

When comparing natural gas to propane, we can take into consideration the British Thermal Units (BTUs). BTU’s measure energy and refers to the amount of energy required to increase by 1°F the temperature of a pound of water.

Propane will deliver more BTU’s per gallon than natural gas, which means it is more energy-efficient.

Local Ordinances

Since stationary generators are a permanent addition to a building, you will want to research other costs like property tax, building permits, or code requirements before installing it.

The Best Stationary Generator Brands

Some of the best generators come from one of the following brands:

• Generac
• Kohler
• Briggs and Stratton

Questions about your current or future generator? The generator-certified experts at Midwest Generator Solutions are ready to help. Contact us today for any of your generator installation, maintenance, or repair needs.