Purchasing a permanent standby generator for your business is a smart and
reasonable move. Every year America's increasing use of technology makes it more
and more dependent on electricity. Everything from washers, dryers and air
conditioners to televisions and computers all require power in order to function
properly. A good solution to this is the purchasing of a permanent standby
generator.
Unfortunately, many people either don't know enough or feel overwhelmed by the
task of researching which permanent standby generator they need. The process of
buying a permanent standby generator can seem rather complex at first. This
guide breaks down the process into several easy to follow steps that anyone can
use to equip their home or business with the latest in reliable backup power.
Step 1: What Do I Need To Power?
This is the first step you need to take to protect your home and belongings in
the event of power loss. It is important that you know this because it could
save you potentially hundreds or even thousands of dollars when it comes time to
select the model that is right for you.
Do you only want to power a few lights in your house? Do you want to power major
appliances such as a washer or dryer? Do you have expensive computer equipment
or medical equipment? Decide what circuits and appliances you would like to
power and add up the maximum wattage they produce. You can find out what wattage
your appliances produce by multiplying their voltage times their amperage.
One other thing to keep in mind is that appliances with large electrical motors
need a large amount of electricity when they start up as opposed to when they
actually run. Usually, the amount of electricity an appliance needs at startup
is 2 to 3 times the amount of electricity an appliance needs to run on normally.
When computing your wattage requirements, you will want to add in the maximum
wattage your appliance needs on startup, not its normal running wattage. Add all
of the wattages together, and then you will know the minimum power capacity of the
generator you need to buy. The reason I say "minimum" is because it is always it
is always better to overestimate than underestimate when it comes to power
capacity.
Having additional unused power capacity won't hurt anything (and it might come
in handy later). However, purchasing a generator that cannot support a large
capacity can lead to many problems down the road. By compiling a list of what
you want to power in your home and how much wattage capacity you will need, you
can make the next step of the process much simpler.
Step 2: Which Model Is Right For Me?
A lot of people tend to think of this step as the first one in the process of
buying a standby generator. Unfortunately, there are such a wide range of brands
on the market, these people feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of choices.
Well established brands include Briggs & Stratton and Generac. Other brands are
Honda, Onan and Kohler. However, once you work your way through the first step
of the process, you can greatly simplify your decision.
Typically, standby generators produce wattages ranging from 7,000 watts, usually
referred to as 7 kilowatts or 7kW all the way up to 50kW. Some higher end models
can produce up to 100kW. Industrial sized standby generators can even go up to a
few megawatts! Although sufficient power capacity varies from house to house,
most middle class homes will need at least 7kW. This would allow you to power a
few lights and small appliances. If you want to include large appliances such as
washers, dryers and air conditioners, then a 15kW is more appropriate. For power
capacities of this size, any of the generator brands above offer excellent
quality choices. Shop around for pricing. Stores like Lowes and Home Depot are
two places to look, however many online sites offer better pricing and
selection. Using search strings like "standby generators", "generac", "briggs
and Stratton" and "backup generators" will produce a large number of vendors.
Also, you can look on online services such as Froogle and Ebay. Typical prices
can range anywhere from ,000 to over ,000.
Step 3: How Do I Install A Permanent Standby Generator?
Installing a standby generator is an often overlooked task. These systems are
not small. A 7kW system can weigh as much as 300 or 400 pounds! Not only that,
but installing a standby generator requires specialized knowledge of plumbing
and wiring. Contact a qualified professional such as your local liquid propane
dealer, electrician or plumber for assistance with installation.
Step 4: Why Do I Need To Maintain A Permanent Standby Generator?
Maintaining a standby generator is of paramount importance. Suppose you spend a
few thousand dollars on the generator you want and get it properly installed in
your home. You will probably want to take whatever reasonable steps you need to in
order to ensure it runs properly. If you don't then, it can cause thousands of
dollars in damage to your appliances.
If the power goes out and your improperly maintained standby generator
activates, then it may not be able to provide the electricity needed to power
the appliance. This in turn will cause the appliance to draw more power to make
up for the shortfall. In response to this, the generator will work harder in an
attempt to increase power capacity. Since the unit is improperly maintained, the
increased work load will place additional stress on the generator unit and cause
it to burn out, potentially damaging any appliance it is connected to.
The second problem that arises from improper maintenance is that of warranty
coverage. Manufacturers of standby generators will not honor the warranty on a
unit that has not been properly maintained. In light of these two facts (and the
thousands of dollars in repairs that could result from them), it just makes
sense to keep your standby generator properly maintained.
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