Losing access to power during a natural disaster can be troubling. If you don't want to be without access to electricity in the future, investing in an emergency generator for your home can be beneficial.
To ensure that you get the right generator to meet your needs, here are three considerations that you should make before finalizing your purchase.
1. If you live in an area where gasoline prices are high, consider a generator that runs on liquid propane.
In order for your emergency generator to provide you with access to the electricity you need to power household items during a natural disaster, you need to have plenty of fuel. Many generators are powered by gasoline, which can be difficult to store. Investing in an emergency supply of gasoline can also be costly.
If you live in an area where gas prices are high, it might make more sense to invest in a generator that runs off liquid propane instead. Be sure that you consider the price of fuel before purchasing a generator for your home.
2. Make sure that you can get your generator serviced locally.
You might be tempted to purchase a generator through an online retailer because the initial price is lower. While you might save money up front, if there is no one in your area that can service the generator you might find that you spend more on maintenance over time.
Experts suggest that emergency generators be serviced after running for 50 hours, or at least once per year. By ensuring that there is someone locally who can maintain your generator before finalizing your purchase, you eliminate the shipping costs associated with sending the unit out for maintenance in the future.
3. Buy an emergency generator that can meet your electrical needs.
It does no good to invest in a generator that doesn't have the capability to supply electricity to vital household appliances in the event of a power outage. Before investing in an emergency generator, take the time to calculate your electrical needs.
Look for labels on each of your major appliances that indicate the wattage required to power the appliance. Keep a running total in a notebook. Once you have determined the power needs of your home's appliances, multiply the total by 1.5 to allow extra energy to help start your appliances after a power outage. Your final total is the minimum wattage your emergency generator should provide to meet your electrical needs.
Making sure that you take the time to factor in fuel prices, maintenance availability, and capacity before purchasing a generator will ensure that you are prepared to endure any emergency. If you're interested, click here for more information.
Share