Backup generators are great investments for every home. The following are factors you should consider when choosing the best backup generator for your home.
Why Invest
A backup standby generator is an excellent investment for your home for a few reasons.
- Safety: You don’t have to worry about gasoline or messing with power cords. You’ll have a reduced risk of fire, electrical shock, and carbon monoxide poisoning. You’ll maintain power to all medical devices, security systems, food freshness devices and continue with safe indoor temperatures.
- Value: A standby generator will increase the value of your home. It’s an investment that will pay for itself when the power goes out and when it’s time to sell your home. It delivers the cleanest electricity available for sensitive electronics found in your home.
- Convenience: This equipment will provide peace of mind when you’re away. You can rest assured knowing that systems will continue to work if the power goes out. You can continue cooking, watching television, or playing a video game as if nothing ever happened.
Fuel Source
You’ll have to decide which fuel source will be ideal for your backup generator. Backup generators up to 22kW will usually be liquid propane or natural gas. Diesel could cost you more because you’ll need a liquid-cooled whole-house type.
Your contractor will verify whether you have the correct size tank for liquid propane or diesel or the accurate natural gas meter and gas line. The type of fuel you use will depend on which fuel type you decide is best for your home.
Power Needs
Another factor in choosing the best backup generator for your home is determining how much power you’ll need during an outage. Do you want to back up crucial systems, such as the refrigerator and HVAC, or the entire home? The most power-hungry appliance of your house is the HVAC system, which will be your determining factor for your power needs. You’ll need a generator that can handle it.
Transfer Switch
You need a switch to tell your generator it’s time to turn on. There is the automatic transfer switch, or ATS, which will turn on straight away when it detects a power failure. It will continuously check the utility power. Once it notices an outage, it will start the engine, disconnect the power from the line, and energize your house’s panel from the generator.
For all your home generator installation needs, contact Clinton Electric in Baltimore, Maryland.