With the rising cost of fuel, there has been a growing interest in home generator rentals. This is especially true for homeowners with large homes that use energy to heat and cool the entire home. There are also many businesses that use these generators as well. For this reason, there are many different types and sizes of home generators that are on the market today.
One of the most common types of whole house generators is the portable generator. These devices are generally easy to set up and move around. For instance, a portable generator could power your entire home, including a small, air-conditioned, standby unit. Alternatively, if you live in a 6,500 square foot home with several A/C units, you would likely need a larger liquid-cooled, gas-powered generator capable of powering all of the units in your home. The size of your generator will depend on how much load center you are providing power to, as well as how large the load centers typically are.
Standby generators are generally smaller than portable or full-scale generators, but they still pack quite a wallop. If you are considering purchasing a standby generator, you will need to consider several factors. For instance, you must consider whether you will be running your whole house generator from battery power, or if you will be requiring an external transfer switch. As well, you must decide if your generator will be used to power any appliances in your home, as well as any electrical attachments.
When it comes to portable generators, there are three different types, classified by fuel source. These include natural gas (like propane), diesel, and gasoline. With natural gas, the only option is to have a separate unit installed professionally, connected to your main household supply. With diesel and gasoline, you can choose to have your generator connected directly to your existing gas line, saving money on professional installation. Although the cost of portable generators can vary greatly, even though they are less expensive than some full-size models, the higher operating costs for portable generators is what makes the option less appealing to families.
Another important factor that should factor into your decision is whether your portable generator will be powered by electricity, gas, or oil. Although many people think that the power coming from electricity is clean, this is not always the case. You should take into account the possibility that power going to your electrical outlets could become unreliable during extreme weather conditions, such as storms or heavy rainfall. This is especially true if your location receives little to no sunshine for months. As well, the lack of wind can cause interruptions to your electric company’s power, something you definitely don’t want to experience during this unpredictable time of year.
Fuel type is also another factor, although most generators these days come in both gasoline and diesel forms. As your electrical needs increase over time, you may find that it makes more sense to pay the extra money to purchase a gasoline generator. For now, however, most people will agree that diesel is less obnoxious and usually has fewer emissions than gasoline. Generators are sold in watts, or units of power, and you should choose one that can supply the amount of watts you will need at present.
Whole house generators are definitely an excellent choice for families with several members who may need power to help during a power outage. They are, however, a large investment. Even when purchased from reputable dealers, you can expect to pay anywhere from two to six hundred dollars for a basic model, which should be adequate to supply power for about twelve to thirty-six square feet of living space. As your usage increases, so too, do the prices.
A more fuel efficient generator might cost anywhere between seven hundred and one thousand dollars. As your needs grow, so does the price. Still, natural gas and propane remain the most affordable fuel source, while some of the smaller generators mentioned earlier use diesel fuel as well.