Home Generators

Even though a generator appears on our Emergency supply list, its value seems to drop to the bottom of the list of needed purchases after we have survived a power outage without loss of our freezer foods; the furnace motor is still intact after the power surge; and we seemed to have kept warm by layering with clothes and blankets as it was a short power outage. We may look on this survival experience as luck, but this is not true preparation. Being prepared is important, comforting , and long-term. Home generators can be one of the most useful tools for our home and family security as a temporary (or long-term) power source.

NEEDS
Our needs determine the size, price and complexity of the generator required for
our home. Our first requirement is to assess the needs of our family in the home. 1. Does our home have an alternate heat source – fireplace (wood or pellet supply) and cooking source?

2. Do we have infants, small children, elderly needing power for oxygen, or other medical or technical devices requiring electricity?

3. Is air conditioning important or necessary for the family?

4. Have we spent our time and money on our freezer food storage and want to protect it?

WHICH GENERATOR DO WE NEED? How much power do we need? How soon do you need to use it? How often do you expect to use it and for what duration of time? Are you able to move around a few hundred pound device?

SIZE
A. How many watts do we need? Three general areas to address in an emergency are Security, Food, and Information. - What appliances or devices (home office, computers, medical) support is needed. A basic home requires about 5,000 running watts (5 Kilowatts) Most appliance tags or the owner’s manual or brand’s website will give wattage requirements.

B. Portable Generators - quick way for power back up. 1. Less expensive than standby (stationary) generators, and newer ones are quieter, more efficient and safer for sensitive electronics like computers, TVs, cell phones, etc. 2 2. Can be stored in garage but must be used outside (never indoors) and then connected to the appliances with extension cords.

C. Home Standby (Stationary) Generators are 24 hour protection 1. Will run immediately within 10 seconds of power outage. 2. Heavy, permanent units sit outside on concrete pads and run on your home’s natural gas or propane lines. 3. Require licensed electrician to install and also a licensed plumber to meet code. 4. More expensive than portable generators (much of the added expense is in installation costs) but long-term advantages provide safe and immediate power.

PRICE After determining your family’s requirements which somewhat determine the size of the generator of your choice and your budget, there are many options and prices available to select the generator best for your needs.

Consumer Report Buying Guide 2015, pg. 59-6 gives a quick overview of the portable and large and small stationary (standby) generators by brand, price & other features. Figure on paying $600 to $1,500 for most 5,000 to 7,000-watt portables. $1,800 to $3,200 for similar-wattage stationary models, $3,500-plus for higher-wattage models.

NEW OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR GENERATORS - Additional costs

A. Smart switches recognize overloads and will turn unit off

B. Mobile Link – remote monitoring system for Honeywell from cell phones and devices

C. Solar power generators are becoming more popular

D. Smaller back-up generators are battery powered providing uninterruptible power supply backup and surge protection throughout the year. Multiple connection ports to power up various devices including computers cable modems, etc.

HINTS

A. Gas is not available at the service station during a power outage if the station does not have generators for their pumps and very few do. (We found that out the hard way – long lines and then no gas. Lesson learned)

B. Generators must be placed outside during use. Fifteen feet from home, windows, & doors.

C. Many generators can be very loud.

D. SAFETY FIRST IN USING A GENERATOR. QUESTIONS –CALL A PROFESSIONAL