Unfortunately, sudden loss of power may last for hours, days, or even weeks. To avoid the inconvenience of living without air conditioning, water, or lights, more and more people are considering investing in either portable or automatic generators.
If you live in an area frequently plagued by hurricanes, tornadoes, or storms, emergency power outages are not uncommon. Purchasing an emergency power solution can help you stay prepared before disaster strikes.
However, many people are unsure about what type of generator set is best for their home. To help, below are five tips for deciding whether portable or automatic generators are the better option for your power needs.
Portable or Automatic Generators – Which Are Better For Home Use?
Difference Between Portable and Automatic Generators
Home generator sets are available in a variety of different options, suitable for many different applications and power needs. The two main categories to choose from are portable and standby generators for sale.
A portable generator set, as the name suggests, is portable. It can be moved around, connected, and disconnected as the user needs. Standby emergency generators, on the other hand, are permanently installed and cannot be moved around once they are put in place.
Generator Fuel Sources
Another important option to consider is what sort of fuel source you prefer your generator to run on. Portable generators generally operate using gasoline or diesel fuel. The user must fill the tanks up after the generator set is in place and store fuel to keep it operating successfully over time.
Emergency standby generators, on the other hand, generally run on natural gas and/or liquid propane. Natural gas generators are directly connected to local natural gas lines. Propane generators burn liquid propane, which means fuel storage still much be considered.
Generator Installation
Portable home generators are fairly easy to install and operate. They don’t usually require professional assistance. They are also widely available and many are incredibly affordable.
Automatic generators will need to be installed by professional technicians. Having a licensed electrician is a necessity to ensure proper installation and operation of the generator set.
Routine Maintenance
All generator types will require maintenance. Things like oil changes should be followed according to the manufacturer’s specifications in order to keep the generator set functioning properly and safely.
However, many emergency standby generators actually perform their own self-maintenance. Portable generators, on the other hand, will require considerably more manual maintenance service.
Choosing the Best Home Generator Set
There are some practical situations to consider when determining the best home generator set.
Do you want to wait in line at a gas station to fill up gas cans for the generator? If you are going to evacuate for a hurricane, will the automatic generator be left running constantly until you return?
These are important decisions to consider before investing in a generator. For help, consider speaking with the emergency power specialists at MTS Power Products to make the absolute best choice.
