Are power outages frequent in your area? In such a case, investing in a generator is the wisest decision to make.

These units provide households with energy backup in the event of blackouts. When shopping for a generator, most buyers are concerned about picking the wrong size or type. The easiest way to choose the right model is by considering your power needs, budget, and frequency of outages in your local area.

The following shopping tips will assist you in buying the best model for your needs.

Choose the best type

The primary point of consideration when buying a generator in Canada is selecting the right type. There are multiple types of such units classified by size. For instance, a recreational inverter is the lightest model of generator, which is portable, quiet, and non-demanding in terms of installation. These devices are user-friendly, given most of them can be operated through smartphone applications.

As far as power is concerned, recreational inverters aren’t very powerful, as you can only use them to power lights, a fridge, and small electronic devices. Nevertheless, it’s the best choice for individuals on the go or homeowners whose homes lose power once or twice annually. These models are available up to 2000 W.

In contrast, mid-sized inverters offer up to 3500 W and weigh a maximum of 150 pounds. These models are quiet and lightweight but have the potential to power much more than recreational inverters. Anyhow, buyers should keep in mind that these units lack the potential to power HVAC systems or well pumps, but only items up to 110 volts. Check out this explanation of the volt unit of measurement.

Moreover, mid-sized inverters are a suitable option for households where blackouts are rarely experienced, but homeowners need a backup solution. You will be able to keep your household up and running for a longer time period, at least when it comes to the essential appliances. Conversely, portable generators offer up to 7500 W.

Despite their name, these units aren’t light enough to carry around the house, as they weigh up to 300 pounds. Most models provide a sufficient amount of energy to meet average household demands. These can be even be connected to breaker panels whenever homeowners need to run certain equipment, such as well pumps. Homeowners should know that portable models need to be properly protected against snow and rain if they place them outside.

Home standby generators provide energy up to 20000 watts and weigh between 350 and 600 pounds. These aren’t portable but permanently installed outside the house. Whenever a power outage occurs, these units turn automatically on and fuel all the appliances. They either ran on propane or natural gas.

Furthermore, standby models are the most convenient alternative for household use. Most providers of power generation solutions, like https://www.primapowersys.com/, offer custom generators. Standby units are unquestionably the priciest models in the market as well.

They impose an additional cost for professional installation, which is substantial. Homeowners living in flood-prone areas aren’t recommended to invest in such models, as these are susceptible to moisture.

Determine your power needs

Every buyer is encouraged to determine his/her power needs before purchasing a generator. These requirements differ across homeowners, as some individuals need energy for the entire house, whereas others just wish their essential appliances to be functional.

In addition, you should calculate the necessary wattage by adding up the wattage of every item you wish to power through a generator during an outage. The most common items on the list of homeowners include lights, fridges, washing machines, air conditioners, coffee makers, laptop chargers, ovens, microwaves, etc.

Every appliance has a label indicating the number of watts it needs to start and run. For instance, an air conditioner needs 2200 W to start and 1500 to run. In contrast, a microwave oven requires 1300 watts both to start and run. A sump pump requires 2150 W to start, whereas 1050 to run. Lightbulbs need as few as 60 watts to start and run.

Final thoughts

Investing in a generator is a must for homeowners dwelling in areas where blackouts are frequent, or there’s no electrical service!