Home Generator Installation
Generators are crucial to prevent you and your family from being stuck in a dark, hot home when a power outage strikes. With food in the fridge and no air conditioning, it should be a priority to get a home generator.
Should I Get a Portable or Standby Generator?
Portable generators are good if you just want to power the essentials such as your refrigerator. These are gas powered and are plugged into your appliances. The cost ranges from $500 to $1500. These should be placed on a flat surface 10 ft away from your house to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. It is also a good idea to have a carbon monoxide detector if using a portable generator. The downside of portable generators is that if you are using extension cords, you will have cords running everywhere and you have to pick a limited amount of items to power. If you do not want to use extension cords, you could hire an electrician to establish a manual transfer switch subpanel.
Standby power generators are a good option if you want to power everything in your home. These are powered by natural gas or propane and will automatically turn on. For that reason, if you are away from your home, they are convenient since you don’t need to physically do anything to activate it. The cost starts around $5,000 and they require to be professionally installed. Some pros are that they make minimal noise and do not need multiple extension cords. They also reduce the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
What is the Difference Between an Inverter and a Generator?
Inverters are a good option to consider. A recreation inverter allows you to power around 2000 watts. A midsized inverter allows you to power up to around 3500 watts. Meanwhile, a portable generator allows you to power up to 7500 watts and a standby generator can power more than 20000 watts. Inverters can connect to your breaker and are fuel efficient. The cost for an inverter can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. They also need stabilized gasoline to run. What is best really depends on your needs. If you have frequent outages, you may want something more permanent and powerful such as a generator. If you almost never have outages, a midsize or recreational inverter may be more appropriate.
What Size Generator to Buy?
Before beginning your shopping for a generator, it is essential to estimate your power needs by reading the label on each appliance you want to power. Each label will tell you how many watts are needed to power that appliance. Add all the watts from each item you want to power. Examples of some appliances at the top of the list for most people are the refrigerator, freezer, wall pump, and sump pump. Air conditioning is one we all want to power, but they require lots of power which would mean they need a more powerful and expensive generator. Once you had the total wattages, multiply that by 1.5. That will let you know what size you need.
What Else Should I Look for When Buying a Generator?
There are many features to look at when buying a generator. Runtime is an important feature to look at. The longer run time, the less you after to refuel it. No one wants to get up in the middle of the night to refuel. If you are buying a portable generator, you want to consider how portable it is. Generators with handles and wheels make transportation much easier. If your generator requires extension cords, a nice alternative is using a cord set. A cord set includes four outlets at the end of the cord. Some generators include a cord set.
Generator Installation Companies
With different types, sizes and features generators and inverters have, the purchasing process can be stressful. Palmer Electric are generator experts in Central Florida since 1951. We provide top quality generator installation with free estimates. Visit our contact page or call us for a free quote.
