Choosing a Home Generator

These questions should guide you in choosing a home generator:

What’s the right size? What kind of appliances would the generator have to power when there’s a power outage? Do I want a stationary or portable generator? What kind of accessories do I need to ensure that my generator can be used safely?

Size of Generator

It’s really not the physical size that we’re referring to but the amount of wattage of a generator. To determine how much wattage you need, you first have to decide if you need a portable or stationary generator. The common thinking is that portable generators create less power than do stationary ones, but thanks to innovations in technology, an increasing number of portable generators with large wattage capacity are now available.

The stationary generators are types of generators that automatically provide power when there’s an outage in your city. Most of them run on natural gas and they are good to have if you live in an area that experiences power failures regularly.

Again, depending on wattage, a generator can supply power for a wide range of devices and appliances: from a small reading lamp to a number of huge appliances.

Our next topic – appliances – will help you determine the wattage you require.

Appliances

Most companies that sell generators, air compressors and other power equipment provide wattage guidelines to facilitate the task of shopping for a generator. If you type “wattage requirements generators” on any search engine, you’re liable to find one.

We have collected a few types of appliances and their respective wattage requirements. A rule of thumb is to list the appliances that your generator will supply power to and then add up the total watts of all the appliances.

Note: it’s good to remember that some appliances have higher start-up ratings than run ratings. Always choose the higher start-up rating when calculating your total wattage requirement. Appliances like circular saws, sump pumps, small refrigerators and a clothes washer have both start-up and run ratings. The reason for this is that some appliances fall under the category of “inductive load appliances”. This means they require supplemental power to start up and then extra power to run. They may require a small wattage when starting, but have to rely on extra power to continue running.

The wattages below are estimates only. For safety purposes, always read the manufacturer’s guidelines of any appliance you purchase. Your generator retailer is also in a position to provide exact wattage requirements.

Appliance Wattage (run) Wattage (start-up)

Hand drill (3/8 inches) 500 750

Fridge or freezer 1200 3000

Television set 400 0

Microwave 750 0

Sander (belt) 1200 1700

Home alarm system 100 0

Radio 225 0

Sump pump 1700 3200

Toaster 1500 0

Coffee brewer 1200 0

Frying pan 1200 0

Stationary or Portable?

Stationary generators, also called permanent or standby generators, have one advantage: they start immediately either with a push button or automatically when a power failure occurs. Portable generators on the other hand have to be taken out of their storage, filled with gas or diesel oil, and then activated. Most stationary generators have an automatic activation system, and there’s generally a 10-30 second wait before they start running.

Portable generators are powered by either gas, oil or liquified petroleum gas. Gas portable generators are usually the cheapest; you can buy one for around $250.00. The disadvantage, however, with this type of portable generators is that they usually have a limited run time. You need to keep filling them with fuel if you use them all day. But their greatest attraction lies in their mobility. Whether you’re at home, in a camp site, or in your summer cottage, your portable generator comes in handy.

The kind of fuel you use for your generator will depend on what’s available in your area. Most generators in the market today are bi-fuel generators. They can run on natural gas or on propane.

Accessories for Safety

Depending on the appliances that will be powered by your generator, you may need certain accessories for safety reasons. For example, if you want to use your computer, you’ll need UPS (unlimited power supply) to prevent data loss during transfer time.

Always use the right extension cord for your tool or home appliance. When the tool or appliance is located far from where the generator is installed, use three-prong or three-wire cords with higher gauges.

As for the wiring system, your generator has to connect to the wiring system of your home through a transfer switch. This is to prevent backfeeding into municipal utility lines. It also protects your generator from potential damage because of overloading from your neighbors who are using the same line transformer.

Ask a certified electrician to install your generator and to ground it. Grounding is essential to prevent any electric shock. Also, never go beyond the power capacity of your generator. When there’s a power failure, always plug in the larger appliances first, followed by the smaller ones. Do not operate a generator near heating ducts and in areas where there is rain or snow.