Things to Consider When Choosing a Generator

Whether you are running a business or a home, power is something Generator that we all depend on. Even a few minutes without power can cause immense problems in some situations. Think of what would happen if your business' power supply went out for a mere 30 minutes. How many customers would you have to turn away? At home, you may not lose much in 30 minutes. However, it can still be inconvenient if you need to prepare dinner or have a child who is afraid of the dark.

In Florida, loss of power can be an even larger burden when hurricanes come through. One storm means that power outages may last weeks, instead of a few minutes. Can you afford to take that big a hit? If you would rather avoid the power outages, generators are a good choice. Before you buy though, there are some things you need to consider when choosing a generator.

How Much Power Do You Need?

Before you purchase a generator, you need to make sure that you are choosing one that will benefit you the most. This means you need it to provide ample power. To power a home, you should expect to need approximately 18-20 kW on startup with an ongoing power supply of around 15 kW. This will give you the power to prepare dinner, have running hot water, use your central air unit, charge devices, and watch television.

In a business setting, you will want to ensure you can power the central heat and air unit, your business computers, and more. If you work in the field, you will want enough power to run your electric welders, air compressors, saws, and other tools. The amount of power you will need will vary based on your specific needs. Luckily, there are people who can help you figure out what may be needed for your home or business.

Portable or Standby Generator

There are benefits to having a portable generator if you enjoy traveling. RVs do not need a stationary power supply. RVs are on the go. They are small and often do not require much power.

A stationary, standby generator is a larger unit that provides more power. They are best suited for homes and businesses. They also have a longer run time because of larger tank sizes. Standby units also make it more convenient when the power goes out. Many of them have features that will allow them to power on within seconds of the power going out.

Can You Parallel Generators If Necessary?

When choosing a generator, you may want to consider what may change in the near future. What if you need more power? Some generators are designed for those who may need more power in the future. They offer you the option to run it in parallel with other generators. This could be very important in a business setting that is constantly growing and doing more.

Is It Efficient?

The whole point of a generator is to make life easier when the power goes out. The last thing you want to deal with is a generator that does not work when you need it to. This means you need to find out how much fuel it consumes, how long it can operate at what capacity before running out of fuel, etc.

You may also want to consider the availability of a certain type of fuel. This will ensure that refueling it will not become a burden. Would you want it to run regular gasoline, natural gas, or some other type of fuel?

Remote Start and Other Features?

We live in a technology-based world. Generators should not be where we drop the ball. Many of them come equipped with a variety of features to ensure that it will run smoothly. Self-diagnostic abilities take the guesswork out of running them. Intuitive control panels allow you to know how much fuel is in the tank, how much power is available, and more.

At Mader Electric, INC. we understand that choosing a generator can be tricky. We provide the information to make it easier for you. We can help you choose the features that will matter and install a Gillette Generator on your site. Simply contact us when you are ready to avoid power outage problems.