6 Factors To Consider Before Buying a Standby Generator

1. Determine Your Needs

When choosing a standby generator, the most critical choice you'll have to make is whether you want to power your entire house during an outage or just particular systems and circuits for essential appliances (refrigerator, HVAC equipment, or medical equipment).

Standard home standby generators with kilowatt capacities ranging from 9kW to 20kW are enough to power most houses. Their compact engines are perfect for delivering short-term electricity to the essential appliances and equipment in your house. This helpful home energy estimation calculator will help you estimate how many kilowatts a generator would need to produce for your house. One kilowatt equals one thousand watts (1kW=1,000W).

2. Take Note of the Installation Timeline

The generator installation process might be delayed at several stages due to external factors like permits and can take several weeks to complete, especially during the busy summer months. Don't put off installing a standby generator until a severe storm is predicted! Try to do it in the spring or fall, when you won't need it (and, more importantly, when no one else will!).

3. Consider What Fuel To Use

You will need to choose the best kind of fuel for your generator based on your specific scenario. While propane has fewer storage risks than gasoline, natural gas can give an infinite power supply.

4. Take Into Account Where You'll Place the Unit

The generator set should be placed in an easily accessible location for maintenance and repair and high enough to prevent rising water from reaching the generator. Comply with code standards for minimum distance from combustible walls and building openings for outdoor and rooftop installations. Follow the criteria for fuel supply, ventilation, exhaust ducting, and proximity to flammable items for interior installations. Typically, the generator should be placed as near to the transfer switch and fuel source as feasible.

5. Consider Maintenance and Warranties

Depending on the generator type, the standard warranty for generator systems runs from one year to five years. Whereas a commercial generator may come standard with a two- to five-year guarantee, an industrial generator may come essentially with a one- or two-year warranty with available upgrades.

6. Have Your Generator Installed by a Professional Electrician

Installing a standby generator is a serious matter and can cause damage if installed improperly. We'd strongly suggest against trying to DIY this installation and instead hire professionals. A professional service can help you keep compliant with codes and regulations on how to install a standby generator as well as safely connecting your electrical system. You'll need to figure out how large of a generator you'll need and how to set it up on your land. The service technician can help you connect safely to your electrical system and external fuel supply.

Conclusion

Standby generators are intended to protect your most valuable asset: your home. To keep your family secure, take the time to gather the correct information about your desired generator system. 

From choosing the suitable model right down to installation, B Town Electric can help you decide. We are one of the best local electrical contractors in Hampshire County, MA. Our team is composed of licensed electricians who can install your electrical system safely and professionally. Contact us today at (413) 213-0770.