Power Up: Choosing the Best Generator for Your Home

When it comes to powering your home, having a generator as a backup source of electricity provides peace of mind and keeps your household running smoothly. However, choosing the right one can be a challenging task. A wide variety is available on the market, each with its own features and capabilities.

Portable Generators

As the name suggests, they are designed to be easily moved from one location to another. They are typically compact and lightweight, making them easy to store in a garage or shed when not in use. They are also more affordable than larger standby generators, making them popular. This makes them perfect for people living where the power goes out often or who like to do things outdoors, like camping or tailgating.

Portable generators are simple to operate, typically starting with the push of a button or the pull of a cord. They usually come with clear instructions and are designed to be user-friendly, making them accessible for anyone to use. They also don't require any special installation or wiring, which can be a relief for those who are not comfortable working with electricity.

You can find this type of generator with a power output from a few hundred to several thousand watts. You can find one that will power a few essential appliances or a larger one that can power a whole home, provided that you're not simultaneously operating every appliance and device. This makes selecting a generator that meets your specific power needs easy.

Portable generators are also more readily available at local home improvement stores, making them easier to purchase. They can run on various fuels, including gasoline, propane, and diesel. Simply choose a generator that uses the fuel that is most readily available to you.

Inverter Generators

This type of generator ensures that the power to your home is clean and stable, perfect for running sensitive electronics like computers, TVs, and smartphones. Unlike traditional generators, whose power changes in voltage and frequency, they make a sine wave, similar to how the utility company makes electricity.

Because their engines and mufflers are more advanced, they are made to be much quieter than traditional generators. They can be as quiet as 50 decibels. Because of this, they can be used in places where noise might be a problem, like near homes.

Inverter generators consume less fuel than traditional generators. This is due to their advanced engine technology, which adjusts the engine speed according to the power output required. As a result, they can run for several hours on a single tank of fuel.

These generators produce fewer emissions than traditional generators, making them a more environmentally friendly option. This is because of advanced emission control systems that reduce carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and other harmful pollutants.

Standby Generators

Standby generators are also known as whole-home generators. They can provide continuous power for as long as the power outage lasts, including running your heating and cooling systems, lighting, appliances, and electronics. Unlike portable generators that need to be refueled periodically, they are connected directly to your home's natural gas or propane supply, ensuring a steady and reliable source of electricity. Because they are connected to the home's electrical system, you don't have to worry about running extension cords.

When the power goes out, it is designed to start automatically, ensuring that your home remains powered without interruption. They also turn off automatically when the power comes back on. This ensures that no fuel or energy is wasted.

These generators provide high power output, making them ideal for powering large homes or businesses. They are available in a range of sizes, from 10 kilowatts to 150 kilowatts or more, allowing you to choose one that meets your power needs. They also have built-in safety features that protect them from damage due to overload, overheating, or other issues. Some models will undergo regular self-diagnostic checks to ensure they operate at peak performance.

At New River Heating & Air, we offer a range of heating and air conditioning services to homeowners and businesses in the Radford, VA area. Besides generator installation and service, we offer installation, repair, and maintenance for heating and cooling services. We also offer indoor air quality services and work with tankless water heaters. Contact New River Heating & Air today for more information.