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Just like blood to the human body, a typical 21st century home is in dire need of a fully functional power generator because no one knows the day and time when a natural disaster like a hurricane strikes and catches you off-guard. Your home will suffer the ignominy of perpetual darkness and most activities in your home will be brought to an abrupt end. Not palatable, isn’t it?
A Dual fuel generator that is not just functional but also environment-friendly will come to your rescue at such emergency situations. You don’t have to wait until that day comes, you can be well prepared for it by making one available and at standby in your house.
Generators versus Batteries
Apart from Generators, Batteries are also another dependable environment-friendly source of power supply to your house. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. The pros and cons of getting a battery as well as that of getting a generator are explored below:
Batteries
Pros
- You won’t have to pay more money to buy fuel after you have gotten the battery. This makes the operation cost of a battery lesser than that of a generator which requires continual buying of fuel to keep it running.
- They are more environment-friendly than fossil fuel generators
Cons
- Buying a battery is more expensive upfront when compared to buying a generator
- It requires professional installation which can cost as much as $1000 as well as an AC/DC power inverter which can cost as much as $2000.
- They are not suitable in the storage of a lot of energy for long-term use like say four days
Generators
Pros
- They are cheaper to buy than batteries on the upfront
- They are very suitable for both long term and short term purpose
- It does not require professional installation fee unlike batteries
Cons
- Usage is limited to the availability of gasoline which can be a major issue during a major natural disaster
- Storage of gasoline makes their usage pretty high risk
Types of Generators
There are two major types of generators. A generator can either be standby or portable.
Standby generators
These generators are designed to handle a higher workload that is beyond the capacity of portable generators or that portable generators will struggle to handle. They are often installed outside the house. A major advantage the standby generators have over the portable apart from the bigger workload is that they also operate with way lesser noise level than the portable generators.
Besides, they can be permanently hooked up to a propane line or natural gas such that they can be used for a considerable longer period of time. This comes in handy especially during major natural disasters that make getting gasoline an impossible task.
Portable generators
They are in various sizes. Those that are not big are able to power some electronic appliances as well as a refrigerator. The bigger ones can carry a relatively bigger workload. They are able to power air conditioners as well as most electronic appliances in the house. It is important to note that most portable generators run on gasoline and they depend on manual operations.
Useful tips in choosing a portable generator
Below are some things you need to put into consideration when purchasing a portable generator that will best serve you and be suitable for the purpose for which you need it:
Mode of startup
There are various modes of ignition adopted by manufacturers of portable generators to start up the generator. Some require a rope pull which can be strenuous especially during cold winters. Some others require an electric push start. These ones are easier to start up than the rope pull ones. Hence, you will be helping yourself to simply go for the electric push start models.
Dual fuel generator
Some portable generators will have to burn off the fuel that is currently in them before they can switch to another one. Switch & Go technology is embedded in some generators which are referred to Dual fuel generators which makes it possible for you to switch to another fuel without necessarily first burn all the fuel in the line from one source before switching to another.
Noise level
Unlike the standby generators, portable generators are generally noisy. However, the noise level of some portable generators is acceptable while some operate with a noise level that is nothing but a menace. Hence, it is a smart decision to go for a generator whose noise level is acceptable when considering ordering for a portable generator. You can read about the review from previous users to have a clue along this direction.
Portability
As much as it is true that most portable generators are portable which makes them easy to move around, however, in reality, portable generators are not the same when it comes to their portability. Some are designed with wheels which makes them easy to move around whenever the need arises. In the event that you will need to move the generator around a lot, you need to go for the most portable ones.
The need for an alternative power supply in your house is of utmost importance. However, you should also ensure you consider your options carefully before purchasing a particular portable generator. Making the right choice is dependent on being informed and that is what this article has done for you.
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This content is sponsored by Adam Clapton.
Photo: Getty Images