Buying a standby generator is a smart investment, but you need to figure out what size standby generator you need to keep your home running smoothly in case of an emergency. Fortunately, there are a few tips that will help you determine the right size for your home.
Calculate your home’s power needs
Whether you are planning to purchase a standby generator for your home or to provide emergency power to a second home, it is important to calculate your home’s power needs. Depending on how many appliances you have and how long you plan to run them, you will need to calculate the number of watts you will need. This will help you decide whether you need a generator or not.
Using a generator can help prevent power outages and ensure that your home is protected from freezing cold during the winter. In addition, it can help add value to your home.
The size of a generator depends on the number of appliances you have. The more appliances you have, the bigger your generator needs to be. You can use a generator sizing calculator to help determine your home’s power needs.
First, you need to determine the starting wattage of your appliances. If you have an appliance that requires a motor to operate, such as an air conditioner, you will need more power when it is first started. Also, appliances with heating elements will need more power during the initial start-up. This is called surge wattage.
Consider your HVAC unit’s wattage
Choosing the right standby generator for your home can save you a bundle of trouble when your power goes out. For starters, you should consider your HVAC unit’s wattage. This can have a big impact on the size of the generator you need. A good rule of thumb is to look for a unit that produces between 6,000 and 59,000 watts. The better ones are rated at 80% of their full capacity. If you are thinking of purchasing a standby generator for the first time, make sure to have it professionally installed before hurricane season. A standby generator can help keep you and your family warm and dry, regardless of what mother nature decides to do to your power supply.
It is a good idea to look for a standby generator that offers a multi-month warranty. The best standby generators will also come with a free service call and a free tune-up to keep your unit in top notch condition.
Consider your home’s square footage
During a power outage, you’ll need a backup generator to power your home. A backup generator can provide the necessary power for running essential household systems like lights, air conditioning and refrigerators. If your home is in a storm-prone area, installing a whole house generator can be a smart investment.
When deciding which generator to buy, consider the square footage of your home to see what size you’ll need. You should also consider how many electric appliances you have. You’ll need a larger generator for a home with more appliances.
Choosing the wrong size generator can lead to waste of resources. There are four types of generators based on the purpose of the unit. They are whole house generators, portable generators, standby generators and backup generators.
A whole house generator can cost between $2,000 and $6,000. Portable generators and standby generators are usually a little more expensive. Whole house generators can run up to 20,000 watts of power. Whole house generators can be powered by natural gas, propane or stabilized gasoline.
Avoid overloading a generator
Whether you are using a backup generator or your regular source of electricity, it is important to avoid overloading your generator. An overload will cause your generator to produce less power and run unpredictably. It can also cause your generator to work too hard for too little power.
You can prevent overloading your generator by controlling the loads you use. Normally, this is done through a controller paired with an automatic transfer switch. When the controller sends signals, the switch will either turn on or shut off the load.
You can also prevent overloading by choosing the right size generator for your needs. If your generator is too small, it will not be able to handle all the appliances you need. On the other hand, a larger generator will be more likely to meet your needs.
When you have an overload, the generator will cut its output by half. You can also expect to hear loud noises and see excessive heat. The generator can overheat and damage the stator. You will also notice soot in the exhaust. These are clear signs that your generator is overloaded.