Standby Generator Review

Blackouts and brownouts have shown that the power grid is not without vulnerability. Hurricane Katrina is a prime example of how difficult life can be in the aftermath of a disaster, especially without a standby generator. Thousands of businesses including hospitals, refrigerated facilities and others have used standby generators for many years, Now, more and more homes are installing them.

A standby generator is a self-contained unit that creates electricity from the turning of an internal combustion engine. The engine of the standby generator can be powered by gasoline, diesel, natural gas or propane. There are a few alternate energy generators like wood-powered but they are not suitable for most people’s needs.

When a standby generator is put into service a transfer switch must be activated to disconnect the home from the power grid and transfer it to the standby generator. This is important because you don’t want two sources of power connected to your home at the same time. If power is being fed into your home by the standby generator without a transfer switch and the utility power were to be restored damage could occur to your home’s electrical wiring and the generator, not to mention the fire and safety hazards.

The transfer switch can be automatic or manual depending on the system you install. Some standby generators require you to manually start the generator and manually trip the transfer switch. This is perfectly fine set-up for many homeowners but does have obvious disadvantages as compared to automatic standby generators. Most standby generators are outside manual units require the homeowner to go out in darkness or inclement weather to start them. Obviously, if you are not at home at the time of the power failure the unit will not provide needed power to your appliances.

The biggest advantage to acquiring a manual standby generator is cost. With fewer parts and less technology involved it is cheaper to build, sell and install a manual standby generator.

Installing a standby generator will generally require you to employ the services of a professional. Although some do-it-yourselfers have the required skills necessary to complete the installation of a standby generator, most will require the assistance of at least a qualified electrician.

Downed trees, flash floods and old man winter can wreak havoc on the power grid. Are you prepared to go without electricity for an extended period? What about the food in your refrigerator or freezer? Your homeowner’s insurance may cover the loss, but what the immediate need of feeding yourself and your family in the event of an emergency? Installing a standby generator can give you the peace of mind you want and need.

Standby generators come in many sizes and can power only the items you select or your entire house. There are models that you manually start and those that automatically start upon the loss of your utility provided power. Some models are able to notify you when they start and if they fail to start.

One thing to consider about a standby generator include is the type of fuel you will need to power it. Standby generators are available that run on gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas and a few that use alternative fuels like wood and coal. Most people choose one of the liquid or vapor options. There are pros and cons to each type of fuel. Availability and storage are prime concerns. There really is no perfect fuel choice for powering your standby generator.

If you choose to power your standby generator with gasoline or diesel fuels you will need to keep a supply on hand in the event of an emergency. Over time these fuels will deteriorate and need to be replaced. And, of course, the storage of any flammable liquid is dangerous and care should be taken when doing so. You will also need to have a plan for obtaining additional fuel in the event of a protracted power outage.

Propane and natural gas are premium choices for powering your standby generator. Natural gas does not require storage, but there’s always the chance that in a major disaster both your natural gas and electric service could be interrupted. Propane tanks are easily obtained and the gas stores well. Replenishment is a consideration.

The size of your standby generator will determine how much fuel you will need to keep on hand to power your generator. The higher the kilowatt rating of your generator the more fuel it will consume.

Calculating the size of your standby generator can be a difficult task, especially since the power draw of your home is constantly fluctuating. Your refrigerator, central unit, water heater and other automatic appliances turn on and off throughout the day and night. Power draw surges upon startup and levels out as the motor or compressor runs. Lights are switched on and off and your turn your washer, dryer and dishwasher on at various times. Your power draw changes with the weather and the seasons. There is seldom a time when all of your appliances are operating simultaneously.

Often it won’t be necessary to install a standby generator large enough to power your entire home. You can install your system in such a way as to power only select appliances. You will definitely need your refrigerator, freezer and well pump. It is doubtful that you will want to power your swimming pool pump.

Using an online wattage calculator is a popular method but they can be inaccurate since they seldom take into consideration the energy efficiency of your appliances. Most older appliances use more electricity than their newer counterparts. Your standby generator will need to produce less power if you have energy efficient appliances.

Most people use the BWYCA method of sizing their standby generator. That stands for Buy What You Can Afford. Larger standby generators can be cost prohibitive due to the cost of the unit and the installation. A good rule of thumb for most homes is that a 25-kilowatt standby generator will be sufficient. If you find that your home overloads the system you can power down certain appliances and rotate their use. Having a system that is constantly overloaded can damage the system and your appliances, not to mention the potential safety and fire hazards.

The very best way to size your standby generator is to hire a licensed professional. An electrician has the right tools and experience with load calculations to help you choose the proper size standby generator for your particular home based on your energy needs. Even if you plan to install your standby generator yourself, the assistance of a licensed electrician is recommended.