Portable or Standby, which backup generator should you choose? It’s important to know what type and size of emergency generator you need before a major power outage occurs.
Being informed and equipped with a personal generator will allow you to have some control over your access to electricity when a crisis or disaster happens.
Portable and Standby Generators offer you peace of mind, and the added comfort of being a little more self sufficient when portions of the power grid are offline.
The amount of people that experienced the loss of power due to natural disasters and electrical supply issues in 2011 and 2012 were the highest ever in the United States. Approximately 18 million customers lost power from just two natural disasters; Hurricane Irene in 2011, and Super-Storm Sandy in 2012.
Knowing exactly what to expect from an emergency generator will allow you to make the most informed decision for your personal situation. Keep in mind, you probably will not want to run every appliance or device, most generators are intended to temporarily provide for your basic needs during an emergency situation.
Here’s a few tips to know before you buy:
- Choose a model that will supply enough power for just the appliances you decide are a necessity to run during a power outage.
- Decide what type of generator: Portable or Standby?
- Consider the difference in cost of each type: installation by self or professional, needed accessories?
- Determine your budget: generator prices vary by type.
- Understand the electrical terms: watts, volts, amps and more.
- Inform yourself by doing product comparisons, and seeking qualified help with your decision, before purchasing a backup generator.
