Hurricane Irma was experienced on August 30, 2017, and impacted the U.S with a more massive impact on the State of Florida. The level of devastation occasioned by this major tropical hurricane led to 64% of Florida being without electricity starting from September 10 2017. Some had no electricity until September 19, 2017, making it one of the worst blackouts felt in the history of the United States.
Just try to put yourself in that position. Natural disasters barely occur but can be unpredictable whenever they occur and the best thing to do is prepare for them. That is what standby generators are for – it guarantees that all areas in a house have electricity supply when there are power blackouts that last for several days. These generators contain enough power reserves in order to light up all the important gadgets in your home. Deciding between one might be challenging if you’re a newbie; thus, we have compiled this list and reviews for your convenience.
1. Generac 8026 GB2000 2106Wh Portable Power Station
- Clean, Emission-Free Power Anywhere: Take advantage of clean and...
- Versatile Recharging Options: Charge the power station using...
- Compact and Durable Design: The GB2000 is designed to be...
- Wireless Charging Convenience: Simplify your charging experience...
- Informative Display for Easy Monitoring: Stay informed about the...
Generac 8026 GB2000 is a powerful 2106 WH portable power station that has been created for use indoors as well as outdoors providing clean power emissions. It utilizes lithium ion batteries for energy storage and enjoys the wireless charging pad to bring in more convenience today.
This lightweight, portable machine is perfect for using on camping adventures, in recreational vehicles, at tailgate parties or during power outages in your house. It is particularly preferred where gas generators are unsuitable, due to their low noise and having no emission.
The Generac 8026 GB2000 Portable power station is a perfect portable reliable source for off-grid power and emergency back up power. It is wireless and emission-free with a strong capacity to handle outdoor and indoor use; however, it might be heavy and pricey for some people.
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2. maXpeedingrods 4000 Watt Inverter Generator
- 【Bluetooth App Remote Control】The MXR4000GT portable...
- 【RV Emergency Charging】The generator comes with an NEMA...
- 【Versatile Power Supply】Dual-fuel design allows for operation...
- 【Quiet Operation】 The noise level is only 58-60 decibels in...
- 【Complete Certification】Our generator compliance with EPA...
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3. Westinghouse 2550 Peak Watt Portable Inverter Generator
- 2550 Peak Watts and 1800 Rated Watts at Less Than 3% THD –...
- Great Choice for Home Use as an Emergency Backup in a Power...
- Extremely Quiet, Extremely Fuel Efficient: As Low As 52 dBA Noise...
- Led Data Center: Rotating Digital Display Shows Fuel Level, Power...
- All Westinghouse Portable Generators are Functionally Tested in...
Westinghouse 2550Peak Watt Inverter Generator is one of the light-weighted, gas operated generator that provides less sound emission and long operating durations, which is suitable for camping trips, Recreational Vehicle uses or for power backup. It has a safety CO sensor and parallel capacity to connect to another unit if needed to produce more power.
This is RV-ready 30A outlet with easy outdoor use and compact design which makes transport easy. It is also lightweight, quieter and more dependable as a portable power generator. Although, it is mainly designed for RV use and campers, the generator also serves as an emergency power supply for small household utilities.
Unlike the conventional model, however, the parallel capability, other recent safety features, and the advanced electronic structure are seen as pluses, although the absence of an electric start may be considered an important minus for some users.
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4. GENMAX GM7250iEDC Portable Generator
- 【Digital Dual Fuel inverter generator】GAS go with 7250...
- 【Powerfull Control center】 digital display fertures total...
- 【Electronic Fuel level】 Easy to read how much fuel been used...
- 【Automatic transfer switch ready】 equipped with an ats outlet...
- 【CO DETECT】 Automatically tums off the generator when an...
The GENMAX GM7250iEDC Portable Generator is a dual fuel, high output for home standby and any outdoor activities. It is compatible with gas and propane, has facilities of remote and electric start, and has parallel capability to generate flexible convenience and enough power.
Further, it also includes EPA & CARB compliance enabling it to be safe and appropriate for use in emergency and recreation’s power supplies. The GENMAX GM7250iEDC is the perfect home backup power solution and reliable electricity source for camping or during emergency situations.
This device is reliable because of its low noise level, remote control, and conformity to safety measures; however, it may be inconvenient for users seeking for lightweight device with low fuel consumption.
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5. Champion Power Equipment 2500-Watt Ultralight Portable Inverter Generator
- Ultra-Lightweight: At only 39.7 pounds, this inverter is one of...
- Quiet Operation: 53 dBA from 23 feet is perfect for camping,...
- Parallel Ready: The optional parallel kit enables this inverter...
- Clean Power for Sensitive Electronics: Includes a 120V 15.4 A...
- Champion Support: Includes 3-year limited warranty with FREE...
The Champion 2500-Watt Ultralight Inverter Generator has the advantages of being light, practicing noise reduction and incorporating a shuttle switch which comes with the CO Shield to prevent CO dangers. With inverter technology, it gives clean electricity ideal for powering delicate gadgets, optimal for outdoor use, camping or recreation, or a small emergency generator.
This generator only has a weight of 39lbs , and it can supply enough power to run smaller appliances or devices. The Champion 2500-Watt Ultralight Inverter Generator is a portable generator that is light, consumes less fuel and safe for uses in camping, RV and powering small appliances.
Due to the small size it may not power large appliances, however, the energy efficient and portable device combined with the CO safety feature make it a perfect power source for people with specific needs.
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How Does a Home Generator System Work?
- The generator starts working a few seconds after the power has been turned off. It is powered from your house’s electrical panel and transfers a signal to the generator if electricity is discontinued.
- The electrical generator will then supply power to your appliances to cater for its back-up service.
- This type of transfer switch monitors the needs of your appliances based on the running watts and the alternative surge watts and will control the load to avoid overloading.
- The transfer switch will switch off the generator as soon as it detects that electricity from the utility source is back and will provide the utility source directly to the appliances.
- The transfer switch will then close and continuously monitor and reopen for the process to be repeated as required.
Why Do You Need a Standby Generator?
You live in a hurricane and storm-prone area.
According to AccuWeather, the top 5 hurricane-prone cities in the US are:
Miami, Florida, Key West, Florida, Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, Tampa, Florida, New Orlean, Louisiana.
Due to the effects of global warming, storms are recording high intensities and frequencies causing more havoc and long hours of power loss. And if you live in or near any of these cities, then you are likely to need a quality standby generator sometime soon.
Someone in your household is electricity dependent.
About 80 percent of us cannot go a day without electricity, let alone half a day. In reality there are few users who rely on electricity much more than the average for the population. For instance, those who require oxygen support at home, or those who use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine for appropriate breathing require electricity all the times.
A family with the baby who is still on breastfeeding and has stored breast milk in the fridge will also require electricity around the clock. These are the circumstances that will most likely make you explore whole house generator options.
Portable Generators versus Standby Generators
Feature: Power Output
Winner: Standby Generators
For home use; standby generators beat the portable ones as the later can only produce only half the power output of the most powerful whole house generator which is meant for home use and have a power range of between 20000kW-25000kW.
Feature: Automatic Backup
Winner: Standby Generators
Portable generators’ startup options are manual recoil, electronic start switch and remote control startup as the most advanced. Of course, most standby generators are equipped with an automatic standby switch in charge of detecting a power failure and switching the source within a few seconds.
Feature: Portability and Mobility
Winner: Portable Generators
For obvious reasons, portable generators win this comparison since they are made for this purpose. Most portable generators are also van and camping reading which makes it a plus of the outdoor lovers.
How to Choose the Right Whole House Generator for Your Need?
1. Power Requirement
The smallest generator we featured on this review supports up to ten standby circuits with a total output of 5,500kW. For power back-up requirements and to supply more than two (2) air conditioners, water heating system, additional power etc, the safe range is between 16kW to 20kW. While at your house most of the brands provide home inspection services, calculate the electric load and then recommend the right standby generator for your house.
2. Type of Fuel
There are three most common fuel types used for whole house generators. The three are Gasoline, Propane and Diesel. All those I mentioned have their benefits and drawbacks.
Diesel
Diesel is the most widely available fuel to source among the three. Even in a storm, there is a large probability of finding the sources of diesel since almost all sorts of trucks and vehicles for emergency and military use need it. It is also the least inflammable source of fuel and also is capable to work in the coldest places if the fuel is blended with a fuel conditioner.
Disadvantages of diesel include the short self life of 18 to 24 months without additives. With reference to the specific measures implemented by Some States, functions and management are also prohibited and/or regulated, including the operation of diesel engines. Another effect of diesel engines is that they produce even louder noise than the gasoline engines.
Gasoline
Most standby generators are gasoline powered or dual-powered. Nonetheless, gasoline has become easily accessible to consumers, but many of them are hesitant to use it because it is volatile, and cannot be purchased and stocked in large quantities. It is also important to know that it is more expensive, or to put it more eloquently, it is a higher bracket when it comes to price. It also has the least shelf life of one year in this case.
Propane
Propane is also known as LPG, although LPG is not necessarily propane. Top ups for this type of gas can also be easily obtained from any vendor, and the gas can also be home-serviced. In truth, most propane powered engines are comparatively less noisy than the diesel and gasoline fueled systems.
The other fuel that is highly flammable is propane – it can at times be very dangerous because in case the fuel lines develop some minor cracks. It also has a high installation cost because of the boosters involved in the process.
3. Installation Requirements
While portable generations simply require you to plug and play, whole house generators will require the service of a licensed electrician and plumber for installation. Always check under the price to see if it involves installation or if the company can assist in acquiring an accredited electrician and plumber conversant with their brand and generators.
4. Location, Noise Level and Zoning
Noise level and emissions are the primary considerations for the zoning guidelines. In addition to referring to local laws when it comes to choosing a generator regarding its fuel kind, zoning limitations has to be consulted as well. Code generator is slightly akin to that of the air conditioners’ installation. Of course, every State will have its own set of recommendations.
5. Warranty Coverage
Power outages are rare in the US, maybe if you’re in the region most affected by hurricanes. Warranty coverage is usually given at five (5) years or 2000 hours whichever is the earliest. In order to maximize the efficiency of your generator be sure to run it weekly for the first six (6) months then once a month thereafter.
On many standby generators it is possible to set an automatic programming or toggle from the control panel. This will assist you in determining any issues before they are out of warranty and thus fix them in good time.
