How to Pick the Right Whole Home Generator
Having a generator that works properly for your home is essential. Severe weather conditions or power outages can be scary to families, leaving them without power for hours or even days at a time. To ensure you never have to worry about going without power for long periods of time, you need to think about buying a whole house generator.
You might be wondering how to find the right generator for your home. Finding the right generator for your home can be complicated. This article will help you explore all of the factors to consider when choosing what type of generator to purchase.
How to Pick the Right Whole Home Generator
Having a generator that works properly for your home is essential. Severe weather conditions or power outages can be scary to families, leaving them without power for hours or even days at a time. To ensure you never have to worry about going without power for long periods of time, you need to think about buying a whole house generator.
You might be wondering how to find the right generator for your home. Finding the right generator for your home can be complicated. This article will help you explore all of the factors to consider when choosing what type of generator to purchase.
What Size Generator Do I Need?
If you are thinking about purchasing a generator to power your entire home you may be asking yourself “What size generator for the whole house”. There are a few things you should consider what size generator is needed to power the entire house. First, you should make a list of how many electronics and appliances you will have hooked up to this generator. This can give you an idea of how much power and wattage you will need.
You should also consider how big your home is. This means you should look at how many square feet are in your home and how many bedrooms, bathrooms, and living spaces you want to have with power.
If determining what size generator you need to power your home seems stressful, consider using a home generator sizing calculator to help determine what size you need. A generator size calculator is a convenient and easy way for homeowners to figure out how big of a generator they need.
How Much Space Do You Need for a Standby Generator?
Although all standby generators are different, you might be asking yourself the question “ How much space do I need”? And “ Where to place a standby generator”? Below is on average how much space you need for a standby generator outside your home:
- About 1.5 feet away from the side of your house
- About 5 feet away from all doors, windows, and fresh air intakes
- About 3 feet in front of the generator for any maintenance or servicing it may need
Which Generator Brand is Right for You?
Whole Home Generator Supply & Demand
It should be noted that for all generators, despite the model or brand, there is a nationwide shortage of materials used to manufacture generators, Severe weather and the covid pandemic have caused supply chain issues this past year in the generator manufacturing market. Companies are struggling to produce as many generators as are demanded. Additionally, installation waitlists are also through the roof as many homeowners are looking for standby generators for their homes.
What are the Benefits of a Standby Generator?
If you are deciding which type of generator to install in your home, here are some benefits of a standby generator to help you come up with a decision
Standby Generators Automatically Detect When There is a Blackout
Standby generators are automatic. That means if there is severe weather and you lose power or just a power outage in general, a standby generator will detect once the blackout happens and turn on automatically. This alleviates some stress as you won't have to panic when the power goes out as all of your appliances and electronics and lights will turn back on automatically with a standby generator.
These Generators Never Need to be Refueled
Standby generators are actually installed through your home's existing fuel line. This means it will take from that fuel line to turn on and generate power. This means you will never need to go outside in severe weather to refuel your generator.
Standby Generators Create Enough Energy for your Entire Home
These generators are large enough to where you can power anything with electricity to your entire home. This means all of the lights in your home, appliances, and electronics will be able to have power during a power outage.
Standby Generators Minimize Other Potential Damages in your Home
As a standby generator automatically detects a blackout and turns on, this means you will not have to worry about the appliances in your house turning off. For example, it will automatically power your fridge to keep your food fresh and prevent flooding in your basement by running your sump pump.
Standby Generators Helps Homeowners Remain Calm
A power outage can be scary, especially if it’s caused by severe weather. Standby generators help ease homeowners’ minds by ensuring their homes will be protected during a blackout. Standby generators will turn on automatically and continue to give your home electricity and run necessary appliances.
What Are The Cons of Portable Generators?
If you are deciding between a whole house generator or a portable generator is best for your home, here are some cons of a portable generator to help you reach a decision:
Portable Generators have Limited Use
Portable generators have a much more limited use than whole house generators. They have lower wattage, so they would not be able to power your entire house. This means during a blackout you would have to pick and choose appliances and electronics to keep on.
They are Noisy and Produce Exhaust
Portable generators cannot be inside your home, you must keep them outside at all times. This is because they produce carbon monoxide which could cause carbon monoxide poising. Even though they produce fumes, they will also have to be only an extension cord lengths away from your home, so you still might have to smell these exhaust fumes. Additionally, portable generators tend to be noisy, and as they are near your home could sound even louder.
Portable Generators are Manual Start
Unlike whole house generators that start automatically, you have to manually start a portable generator. They are not connected to anything in your house and will not automatically turn on in backout. They also only have tanks that hold on average 7 gallons of fuel. So you will have to refuel your portable generator quite often.
How a Whole Home Generator Saves You Money
You might be wondering “ How a whole home generator can save you money”?
Although it may be more money upfront to install a standby generator in your home, it actually ends up saving you more money in the future. When there are severe weather conditions that cause blackouts, many things can happen in your home such as appliances tripping and becoming permanently damaged, sump pumps turning off and flooding your basement, and pipes freezing. Standby generators ensure you will never have to encounter these problems in your home dig a power outage. Standby generators automatically turn on and save your home from these potential damages. It would be more costly to replace and repair frozen pipes, broken appliances, and sump pumps every time the power goes out than it would be to purchase a standby generator once.
When you purchase a standby generator, you will have to pay for the generator itself and for it to be installed but that is it. Maybe it will need to be maintained here and there but small repairs wouldn’t be that costly. Although you may pay more money upfront to get a standby generator, in the end, you are saving the cost of replacing all of the appliances and electronics in your house as well.
Decide Which Whole Home Generator is Right for You & Hire the Experts at A&J Generator!
No matter what kind of generator you are looking to install, the experts at A&J will help you determine which generator is best for your home. Contact A&J if you are interested in purchasing and installing a standby generator for your home.
Best Whole Home Generators of 2022
In times of severe weather or unexpected power outages, a whole home generator can be a lifesaver. These events can be unpredictable, leaving your home without power in the middle of the night or during a freezing winter storm. It can be frantic trying to find out the portable generator and set it up, and even when you find it it may not have fuel in it or could have damage as it hasn't been maintained in a while. A home generator alleviates these inconveniences for homeowners. There is no need to run around the house searching for extension cords or gas for power with a home generator. Home generators make it easy to get power in emergency situations.
The Importance of Selecting the Right Home Generator:
It is very important to select the right home generator for your home. There are many different types of generators with different features such as fuel type, size, and how much they can power. As all homes vary, not every generator may be the best fit for every home. You need to select a generator that keeps the temperature of your home regulated as well as power the essential appliances to keep your home safe. You must select a generator that will keep your home up ad running in power outages. There are plenty of options to explore to find the best home generator for your home.
The Best Standby Generators for Small Homes in 2022
Winner
Briggs and Stratton 12kW Standby Generator
This generator is a great choice for smaller to medium-sized homes between 1,000-3,000 square feet. The Briggs and Stratton 12kW Standby Generator offers about 12,000 watts of power.
- Power management system on the mobile app lets you control everything from your smartphone
- All parts manufactured in the U.S
- Low RPM
- Less fuel consumption
- Lower wattage so only can power some appliances or smaller appliances
- Not recommended for large homes that generate a lot of power
- The generator itself costs about $4,2000 and around $0.97/h to operate on a full fuel tank using maximum power.
- This generator comes with a 10-year warranty policy.
Runner Up
Briggs & Stratton 10 kW Automatic Home Standby Generator, Model 040375
This is a great option for smaller homes due to its lower wattage and lower price. Has efficient power for a small home with fewer appliances.
- Easier installation because it is smaller
- Excellent price point compared to other 10kW units
- Fairly quiet
- Not recommended for larger homes because of lower wattage, would not be able to power many appliances in a larger home
- This generator costs around $3,000 to purchase and about $0.80/h to run on maxim power.
- This generator comes with a 5-year warranty.
The Best Standby Generators for Large Homes in 2022
Winner
Briggs & Stratton 20,000-Watt Standby Generator
This home generator is an extremely powerful and reliable generator. It is a great option for larger homes as it can generate well over 20,000 watts of power.
- Can be powered by either natural gas or propane
- Has a smartphone application
- Weekly self-test feature to ensure it's operational
- Corrosion and weather resistant
- Subscription for monitoring by the manufacturer is sold separately
- A professional is probably needed to install
- The generator itself costs around $5,200 and will cost around $1.60/h to operate
- This generator comes with a 10-year warranty. This warranty covers everything including labor, spare parts, and travel.
Runner Up
Generac Guardian 24kW Standby Generator
This home generator is one of the largest air-cooled generators on the market today. It also has a compact size so it saves space where ever you might install it.
- True PowerTM Technology: features a smooth and clean operation
- Generac special G-Force Engine: a pressure-lubricated engine
- Rhino Coat Powder coated finish
- Expensive as it is a 24-watt generator
- The generator itself costs around $5,500 and will cost about $2.00/h to operate on a full tank running.
- This generator has a 5-year warranty.
Best Standby Generator for Noise in 2022
Winner
Generac Guardian 3-Phase 20kW Automatic Standby Generator Wi-Fi Enabled
This generator is a great option for larger homes with plenty of appliances to power. Additionally, this generator is fairly quiet compared to other similar units.
- Very quiet with a noise level of 67dB
- Comes with a good warranty
- Higher price
- Automatic transfer switch not included
- The generator itself costs around $5,300 and around $1.61/h to operate on its maxim power.
- Comes with a 5-year warranty plan.
Runner Up
Briggs and Stratton 20kW Fortress Standby Generator
This home generator is one of the largest air-cooled generators on the market today. It also has a compact size so it saves space where ever you might install it.
- True PowerTM Technology: features a smooth and clean operation
- Generac special G-Force Engine: a pressure-lubricated engine
- Rhino Coat Powder coated finish
- Expensive as it is a 24-watt generator
- The generator itself costs around $5,500 and will cost about $2.00/h to operate on a full tank running.
- This generator comes with a 5-year warranty.
Best Standby Generators Overall in 2022
Briggs & Stratton 40336 20kW Standby
We picked this generator as one of the best generators for 2022 because of its price. Compared to other generators this size, this one has a great price for the amount of power it produces.
- Cost-effective for power output
- Quiet muffling feature
- Compact size
- Does not come with a remote control feature to operate
- This generator costs around $4,200 for the unit and about $1.61/h to operate.
- This generator comes with a 5-year warranty.
Generac Air-Cooled Standby Generator
We chose this generator as one of the best standby generators in 2022 as it has the lowest cost per kilowatt of all other standby generators this size. Additionally, it is one of the quietest generators of its size and power output.
- Very quiet
- High energy output
- Remote monitoring
- High price for the generator itself
- Fuel consumption
- The generator itself costs about $5,800 and will cost around $1.90/h to operate.
- This generator comes with a 5-year limited warranty.
Contact the Generator Experts at A&J Today!
Finding the right generator for your home can be more difficult than you expect. There are many things you need to consider such as how much power you need your generator to have, how many appliances you want to operate, and how large your home is. All of these factors can impact what size and style of whole house generator you need and what goes into the cost of owning a whole home generator. The best way to figure this out is to contact a professional. Professionals at A&J will work with you to determine the best standby generator for your home. A&J will also install whichever generator you choose to ensure your home is protected during a power outage. Contact A&J today for your generator installation.
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