Keep the Lights on with the Right Portable Electric Generator

Not too long ago, most people wouldn’t have considered owning a portable electric generator. But with so much of what we use in our daily lives dependent on electricity, many homeowners want the security of a generator to keep everything from baby monitors to sleep apnea machines functioning in case of a power outage.

But how do you know which generator to purchase? The right portable generator depends on what you need to use it for and how you intend to use it.

The smallest gasoline-powered portable generators are about 1 kilowatt (kW), which is fine for lights, electric fans, or a radio. The largest portable units reach around 20 kW, which works for powering a computer and air conditioner in a small office. All portable generators have standard power outlets for plugging in extension cords to power your devices.

To keep costs down, base your choice on what electrical devices are essential for you during a power outage. Too few watts and you can overwork the electric generator, potentially damaging it and anything plugged into it. Too many watts and you'll waste money on the initial generator purchase and on fuel.

So when exploring which portable electric generator to buy, look for a unit with the right power output for your needs, a large fuel tank for the best running time, a fuel indicator gauge, and enough receptacles to allow you to plug in all the devices you want to run.

In some circumstances, a portable unit may not provide you with the power and features you want. In that case, you may also want to look into using a home standby generator, which is installed permanently and hardwired into your electrical system. The standby generator will kick on automatically during a power outage, in contrast to a portable generator, which requires you to go outside and turn it on or off manually. Furthermore, a standby generator motor generally runs at 1800 RPM, which makes it quieter and more efficient than the typical 3600 RPM motor of a portable unit. However, a home standby generator is more expensive than a portable unit, and may be more generator than most homeowners need.

Fortunately shopping for generators with the right price/feature combination has never been easier due to the arrival of online retailers willing to ship them right to your door.

If you do purchase a portable electric generator, remember that because they run on gasoline, propane, diesel, or natural gas, they can produce carbon monoxide, which is a tasteless, odorless gas that can be fatal. For this reason, always use a portable generator in a well-ventilated, but covered space outside.

To expand your knowledge along the lines of homemade electricity and consider related replacements or supplements for portable electric generators and home standby generators you might want to explore Solar Power Generators or maybe Solar Electricity Systems.