Things to Know Before Buying a Generator

Living in today’s world is not for the faint of heart. There’s always the potential for turbulent thunderstorms, lightning, and possibly a heart-wrenching tornado. While these events may not occur every day, we should always be well aware of the possibility of life-disrupting power outages that usually come in the wake of these events.

 

Planning for this inevitability is essential. However, with the right generator, you needn’t worry because all of your appliances and devices will continue to function whether you have power or not.

 

Before you make a purchase, there are a few things you should know so you can get the right one to meet your unique needs. Here are just a few tips to keep in mind.

What Energy Source is Available

You’re probably aware that generators are not all the same. Today, you can find generators that burn all types of fuels.

 

Before you make a purchase, find out what fuels are available where you live. While these resources may be plentiful, some areas will give you more access to certain fuels than others. 

 

Bi/Tri-Fuel: Bi/tri-fuel generators offer the versatility that comes with using multiple fuel types. They can burn propane, gas, diesel, and solar, so you are ready for nearly every possibility.

 

Propane: Propane generators aren’t meant to power your whole house but are commonly used for smaller appliances when they are needed. However, you can safely store propane for an extremely long time without any risk of degrading.

 

Gasoline: Gas generators require a lot of maintenance. They can also be dangerous because of the low flashpoint of gasoline. While they are less expensive, the cost of fuel can be costly, and access to it in an emergency could be problematic since power outages can also impact your local gas stations.

 

Diesel: Diesel generators require minimal upkeep and are more efficient than gasoline or propane. However, diesel may present the same problem with availability as gasoline.

 

Solar: These are the least expensive and require minimal upkeep. Solar power is free as long as you have a place to expose your panels to several hours of uninterrupted sunlight each day. However, they are useless if you have long stretches of bad weather with no sunshine. 

Generator Size

The generator you choose will depend on your individual needs. If you’re looking for a generator to power your home, you’ll need to calculate the total wattage required. So first, total the wattage of all the appliances you expect to use, and then look for a generator that meets those requirements.

 

If you’re only looking for a generator to power a few appliances, the generator size can be much smaller.

You Don’t Have to Choose a Generator Alone

Don’t let the search for a new generator confuse you. Finding a new generator is easy when you enlist the aid of Midwest experts in the field. Together, with careful planning, you can confidently choose one that will make it possible to keep your life going whenever the next power outage happens.