The Basics
A home generator can supply power to essential appliances, such as refrigerators, heating and air conditioning, and lights during a power outage. They can be portable or stationary (standby), and run on gasoline, diesel, natural gas, or LP gas, with prices ranging from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending upon your needs and your choice of generators.
Portable, gasoline powered generators are very reasonably priced, starting at around $150.00 for the a Blue Max GEN 1250 Watt Gas-Powered Generator
A more long term solution would be the installation of a stationary generator. A standby generator is hooked up to an external fuel source, such as a natural gas line, and can provide continuous power. (Some portable devices can also be fueled from an external fuel source, and can provide extended run time, too.) The biggest difference between portable and stationary generators are the connection and activation.
A portable generator must be rolled out of your garage or other storage area, filled with fuel or hooked up to the external fuel source, manually started, and connected to the loads. A permanent, stationary generator, on the other hand, starts at around $2,100.00, and can start immediately because it is already connected to the wiring in your home and to the external fuel source. Most automatic systems have an auto transfer switch that senses the outage, isolates your electrical wiring or designated emergency circuits from the grid, and starts the generator. Then when power is restored, the generator connects your home back to the grid, and shuts itself down. The typical transfer time is 10-20 seconds, and you don’t even have to be home to start and stop it. A permanent, stationary generator will normally power the whole house, too.
Convenience, run time, and power level available make a permanent, stationary generator the best option, especially in the event of a long term, or more frequent power disruption. And, while it is generally more expensive to install, it will also add value to your home.
Fuel Selection
There are a couple of other things you’ll want to consider when you select a generator for your home, with your choice of fuel being perhaps the most important. During certain natural disasters, such as hurricanes and tornados, certain fuels may not be readily available, most notably gasoline, LP gas, and at times, even natural gas. Fortunately, most residential generators are bi-fuel, and can run on both natural gas and LP gas, with a minor adjustment to convert from one fuel to another. If your home is supplied with natural gas, this makes the bi-fuel natural gas/LP gas unit your best choice. If natural gas is not supplied in your area, you also have the option of the installation of a large propane tank to power your generator, as well.
Installation and Wiring
Most portable, gas or diesel powered, generators for limited, temporary use are easily rolled out, started up, and you simply plug in the appliances you wish to run. However, if larger unit, or a stationary generator is your choice, you will definitely want to have it installed professionally by a licensed electrician and the natural gas connected by a professional or a representative for your local utility company. Remember, regardless of how mechanically inclined you might be, the most important issues are safety and dependability, therefore, have your system connected by the proper professionals!
