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Tips for Choosing a Generator

Author: Amitava Sarkar
by Amitava Sarkar
Posted: Jun 07, 2016

If you're like most people, you probably don't think about emergency preparedness until it's too late. However, if you live in Texas then you've probably been through a natural disaster or two. When tornadoes or massive flooding strike, you need to make sure you're prepared. One of the best ways to ensure you have everything you need is to make an emergency preparedness checklist. From there, you can put together an emergency kit and supplies. Your emergency supplies should be enough for at least three days and should include a first aid kit and medical supplies, a gallon of water per person per day for everyone in your household, non-perishable food, a manual can opener, a hand-crank radio, flashlights, extra batteries, an emergency blanket, a multipurpose tool, whistle, extra cash, copies of important documents and a family emergency plan with emergency contact information. You also need a generator. Even if you've got enough flashlights and candles to light up the entire town, you're still going to need power to keep your lights on and refrigerator going, not to mention the sump pump or in the case of cold weather, a portable heater. However, choosing a generator can be tricky. If you're not sure where to start, read on.

  • Know how much wattage you need. Most generators are sold by wattage so it's important to know just how much you're going to need. While this can vary widely, a good rule of thumb is a minimum of 5,000 watts to cover the necessities. However, it's also a good idea to list which essentials are most important to you, such as the sump pump (between 750 to 1,500 watts), refrigerator (usually 600 watts) or window air conditioning units (around 1,000 watts), and add them together to get an idea of how many watts you'll need.
  • Know your options. Generators come in two basic types: stationary and portable. Both types have their pros and cons. A stationary generator usually supplies more power (typically 5,000 to 20,000 watts), comes on automatically when you lose power, can be fueled by gas or propane, and automatically lets you know when maintenance is needed. However, stationary generators are also expensive and should be installed by an electrician. On the other hand, portable generators are less expensive and can be used anywhere - as long as it's not in an enclosed space and it's a minimum of 15 feet away from your home, windows and doors. Portable generators supply less wattage (between 3,000 and 8,000 watts) and run on either propane or gasoline (which requires a stabilizer to be added in order to be stored safely). Websites such as
http://www.grastengenerators.com/ are a great source of information on different brands of generators and their features.

  • Know your features. There are several additional features, such as the stationary model's automatic start, that make generators that much more useful. For instance, some portable models have an electric start instead of a pull-string start, while other portables price their wheels separately. Other features include a fuel gauge, low-oil shutoff, inverter technology that not only will ensure your electronics don't overheat but it's also quieter, multiple outlets and a removable console so you can plug appliances directly into the generator.
  • Don't forget the transfer switch. This is a single cable that links the stationary or portable generator to your circuit panel. The transfer switch is essential because without it, you run the risk of an energy spike that could fry your appliances, damage the generator and endanger utility workers.

Also keep in mind you will need to find out how much fuel is necessary to run your generator for a given amount of time. You'll then need to make sure you can safely store the required amount of fuel.

About the Author: Thomas M. Bird is a disaster preparedness consultant and contributing writer who enjoys helping gives families peace of mind through thorough proper disaster preparedness.

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Author: Amitava Sarkar

Amitava Sarkar

Member since: Nov 27, 2014
Published articles: 349

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