Choosing the Right Generator for Your Home

Tips to Keep a Portable Generator Working Its Best

When storms hit, many homeowners break out their portable generators as backup power sources. The best portable generators can provide electricity for lights, appliances, and devices during power outages. However, improper use can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide poisoning or fires. Operating portable generators safely and maintaining them properly will ensure they perform reliably when you need them most.

What To Know About Portable Generators

Operating portable generators safely is critical. Improper use can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution, or fires. Follow these tips to run your generator safely:

Location, location, location. Portable generators belong outdoors, in open spaces. Place one under a shaded tree, far from the home.
Never place generators in enclosed spaces. Avoid areas under a carport, in a garage, or near open windows and doors.
Watch out for carbon monoxide. All generators create carbon monoxide, which is colorless and odorless. Install a CO detector in your home to monitor levels.
Keep generators away from leaves, brush, and debris. The heat from the muffler and engine can ignite combustible materials.
Do not overload the generator. Be aware of the wattage of appliances you plug in, and do not exceed the generator’s capacity. Overloading can damage the generator.
Use heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use. Lightweight household cords can overheat and cause fires.
Never plug a generator directly into your home’s outlet. This dangerous practice, known as backfeeding, can electrocute utility workers.
Do not operate generators in wet conditions. Use a canopy or shelter to protect the generator from moisture and prevent electrocution.

About the Power a Portable Generator Produces

Portable generators have limits in terms of the appliances and devices they can power. Keep these power capacity factors in mind when selecting a generator for your home:

Maintain realistic expectations. Small generators run lights and fans but not large appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners.
Know your generator’s load limits. Options range from 1,000 watts to 8,000 watts. Manufacturer websites offer wattage calculators to determine which appliances you can run.
Use heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use. Household cords are hazardous to generators.
Fuel up safely when the generator is off and cool. Adding gasoline while the engine is hot can lead to accidental spills and fires.
Look for electric start generators. Pull-start models require strength and can be challenging to operate.
Consider powering the refrigerator or freezer occasionally to prevent food spoilage. Use an extension cord to cycle the fridge on periodically.
Factor in starting watts. Some appliances need momentary high wattage at startup, which can overload the generator.
For medical devices, consult your healthcare provider to determine the appropriate backup power. Not all conditions and equipment can rely on a generator for life-critical operation. Verify runtime needs and safety factors first.

What You Should Know to Maintain Your Generator

Routine maintenance is crucial for keeping portable generators in proper working condition. Follow these tips to maintain your generator:

Drain old gas, which can gum up the fuel system. Properly dispose of stale fuel.
Change spark plugs. This maintenance improves engine performance. Consult the owner’s manual for the recommended interval.
Clean or replace air filters. Dirty air filters lead to poor performance.
Change oil regularly as recommended. Stale oil damages engines.
Inspect and replace aged gaskets and hoses, which can crack and leak over time.
Drain the carburetor before storage to eliminate stale fuel between uses.
Consider professional annual tune-ups to keep the generator operating at peak conditions. Tune-ups identify issues before they lead to breakdowns.

Planning Your Backup Power Needs

Making a power outage plan is an important part of generator preparedness. Consider the following factors as you assess your family's backup electricity requirements:

Inventory which appliances and devices you want to run during an outage. Prioritize critical and non-critical items.
Calculate the starting and running wattage each appliance requires. Total the wattages to determine the generator capacity needed.
For portable generators, factor in refueling requirements. You may need to refuel a small generator every 5-6 hours at 50% load.
Compare noise levels across the generators you are considering. Some emit 48 decibels, while others produce over 80 decibels.
Determine if you want a portable or stationary unit. Portable units offer flexibility in placement, while stationary models connect to gas or propane lines.
Consider dual-fuel generators if you live in cold climates. Models running on gas and propane allow you to use gas in summer and propane in winter.
Look into whole-house standby generators for full backup coverage. An electrician must install these with automatic transfer switches according to local codes.

So, Is a Portable Generator Right for You?

Whether portable generators are worthwhile depends on your needs. Small portable units provide basic electricity for shorter outages. But if you require high wattage, continuous power, or whole-house coverage, a permanently installed standby generator is better. Maintenance is key to maximizing life span and performance. Stay on top of fuel stabilization, oil changes, spark plugs, and other routine service. Always operate portable generators safely away from homes to prevent dangerous carbon monoxide buildup. With proper use and care, quality generators can provide many years of reliable backup electricity when storms knock out power.