Getting a generator that may handle all your power generation needs is among the most critical aspects of your purchasing decision. Whether you are interested in getting prime or standby power, if your generator cannot meet your specific requirements, it won’t be doing any good as it can put stress on the unit and even damage some of the devices that are connected to it.
If there is a power outage, the ideal generator will ensure that all your appliances are running, and you can quickly go about your business while waiting for the power to get restored. Having a generator will make you feel relatively normal at home, even if there is no power in the rest of your neighborhood.
What size generator do you need?
Your generator’s size depends on how many appliances you need to run in the house and the size of your house. A standard home being conservative would need an average of 5,000 to 7,000 watts. You may see a considerable difference between the power demands of a refrigerator, a few lights, and a laptop compared to the power demands of a full A/C unit, water heater, and a large freezer.
It all depends on what you are to run with your generator, the kinds of appliances that you have to run, the optional ones, and the ones that you will be giving up entirely during a power outage. It is critical to have a list to understand how much capacity you require in your generator. Some things to consider are A/C, fans, refrigerator, freezer, home heater, water heater, washing machine, coffee maker, TV, computers, and cell phones.
What we need to know about watts, volts, and amps?
Usually, the amount of electricity that any electrical equipment requires to run is given in Amperes or Amps. On the other hand, volts measure how strongly current is sent through an electric system. The vast majority of electrical appliances sold are rated at 120V. Still, you may be able to find some of the electrical appliances that may be running on higher voltage, in which 220V is the most common.
The energy requirements of any device can be provided in several resources. Once you know the Amps of your appliance and the tools needed to run, it can become relatively easy for you to calculate its wattage.
Wattage = Amperes x Volts
The total wattage required can then be added up to keep your electrical equipment or appliances running to get the generator’s required wattage. The ideal generator to choose is the one that may handle slightly more than the total wattage for safety.
How to choose the right generator?
Buying a too-small generator can be hectic, as you may force it to supply more power or overload it than the generator is capable of handling. Your generator will either automatically turn off or overheat if that happens, and this can destroy not only the generator but also the appliances. If you buy a large one, you may have to overpay for the unit and costs associated with operating it. Here is an in-depth look at why one should be choosing the right size generator.
- Avoid any random system failures
Once you can size the generator according to your needs properly, you will not be worried about the downtime that can result from power outages. You cannot afford to have any downtime if you are working from home. Even if you don?t work at home, you can never afford a power outage, especially during the winters. With a generator, you will not have to worry about any of that.
- Having a longer generator lifespan
Your generator is a sizable financial investment, as you cannot afford to have something that is costly and has a short lifespan. Therefore, you need to have an appropriately sized generator to make sure that it doesn’t breakdown prematurely.
- Avoiding any shutdowns caused by system overload
Another significant advantage of getting a properly sized generator for your needs is the maximum power capacity. This way, you will not be worrying about the failure of any appliance or device because of the capacity overload.
- Getting excellent performance all the times
When you go to buy a generator, you must choose the one that can offer maximum power when you need it. There are different guides available to find the right size of the generator according to your needs, and this way, you can enjoy excellent performance all the time.
- Ensuring safety
Safety should always be of your utmost importance when you are to deal with electric equipment. When the appliances rely on the generator to get power, each of these appliances should have enough energy without the risk of any short circuits or mishaps that might lead to the safety of the household members being compromised.
Important considerations regarding the size of generator that you need
- Standby or portable generator
You may consider a standby generator if you have a large house and power the appliances when the power goes out. A standby generator is called a whole house generator. Your budget can be an essential consideration as such models can be quite expensive and may have installation costs. If you are camping, tailgating, or on a worksite, then a portable generator may be your best bet.
- Conventional or inverter
It can be an essential consideration for whether you should go for a conventional or an inverter generator. If you wish to power sensitive electronic devices, you should have an inverter generator because it can produce clean power with low harmonic distortion.
- Fuel
Typically the generators use a fuel source like diesel, LPG, Kerosene, and many others to generate electricity. It would help if you made a decision based on the fuel to be used before you head out to buy a generator. Typically the portable generators use either gas or propane, while some use both.
- Budget
It is vital to have budget planning, as it can keep your household running smoothly. You have to make sure that you plan a budget so that buying a generator and supporting its maintenance may not cause a disturbance in your household.
- Different features
It can be a good idea for you to look for specific features when planning to buy a generator. These include automatic voltage regulation, automatic shutdown, and automatic cooling, among others. In order to avoid any mishaps, your generator should be equipped with the right safety features.
Bottom Line
Selecting a generator is not the easiest of the tasks because it chooses the right generator. The one that is perfectly matched to power all of the appliances or devices you need to run during power outages is the best generator. If you buy a too big generator, not only would it be expensive, but it may not run as efficiently as the one that is appropriately matched. On the other hand, if you buy a small portable generator, some appliances may not offer maximum output, and its lifespan may be reduced.
