Thinking about buying a home generator? A home generator
can be a great way to keep the lights working, keep your
computer running, and safeguard any food you might have
in the refrigerator and/or freezer during a power outage.
This can come in especially handy if you experience a
natural disaster such as an earthquake or a hurricane.
There are different types of home generators out there.
Read the following to learn what types are available and
how they are used.
You
can use a home generator during an emergency to provide
an alternate power source. But before you go buy one,
you need to do your homework. Not all home generators
are created equal. Some produce a current, called “raw
power,” that can’t be used directly for some
kinds of electronics, like computers or microwaves. If
you plug these devices directly into the current, you
will short them out. If possible, buy a home generator
that will create an electric wave similar to what you
get through your power lines from your utility company.
This is called “clean power.” If you must
buy a generator that produces “raw power,”
you will need to buy what’s called a “power
line converter” to change the electric current from
“raw power” to “clean power.”
Home
generators come in different types, as well. The most
popular ones are the ones that run on gas. They use regular
gasoline that you can buy at the pump. These types of
generators are the least expensive; many large home improvement
stores sell them for under $500. But, they have their
drawbacks: They are noisy and sound much like a lawn mower.
They cannot be used indoors, and must be run only in a
well-ventilated area (not in your garage), as they create
carbon monoxide, as well as other poisonous emissions.
However, this type of generator may appeal to you, particularly
if you lose your power on a fairly regular basis. Generators
that cost more money create additional power. These generators
come with extra features. The top-of-the-line models produce
“clean power” and don’t require the
use of a power line converter.
You
need to be sure to purchase a generator that is capable
of producing enough power for your needs. Generator power
is measure by watts; this tells you how much power it
will create. In order to figure out which generator you
need, you will need to make a list of what electrical
devices you want to run with the generator; then, you
need to find out the wattage requirement for each and
add them all up. Sound confusing? You can ask a licensed
electrician to do the calculations for you. Just make
sure you buy a generator that is capable of producing
enough power to handle the load.
Before
using your generator for the first time, consult both
the manufacturer and a licensed electrician to be sure
you are setting the system up correctly. A licensed professional
can assist you in setting up your home system in a way
that will not start any fires or burn out any appliances.
Licensed electricians are also aware of any laws about
using home generators in your area.
Obviously,
a home generator can be a great alternate system in the
event of a power outage. Hiring an electrician to do the
installation for you will not only make the job easier
and safer, an electrician can set up the system so all
you have to do is throw a switch to change your power
source to your new home generator.