Generators are an essential item for nearly everyone's home. The average homeowner will use a power generator at least two or three times each year. On average, a residential backup generator costs $12,500 to purchase and install, and then another $167 to operate and maintain over the years. For many homeowners shopping for a Ruston's best generator, there are ways to cut the price.
Homeowners can choose between gasoline, diesel, or propane as their fuel source. Diesel is more expensive, but it's relatively clean burning and therefore much easier on the environment. Propane, which is petroleum-based, is more plentiful and widely available; however, it takes more energy to burn, and it is less versatile than diesel. Gas powered portable generators, such as those that run on natural gas, are generally more expensive than diesel or gasoline powered models.
Before buying, determine the wattage rating for the generator you plan to purchase. Each gas generator is limited to a certain number of watts; the higher the wattage, the more powerful the generator. If you're using portable generators outside, make sure that the generator you're buying can stand up to the weather conditions. The most important factor when buying a generator is to buy one that will provide adequate backup power.
Determine how many amps you will need from the generator. A lot of appliances require a large amp rating to run, and this number will go up with certain equipment. Check the specifications for the specific wattage rating of the generator you plan to purchase. Remember that if you have appliances that use a large amount of power, it's best to invest in a larger size portable generator to ensure that your appliances are powered through the night.
Determine your power needs. The power requirements for your household appliances should be based on the normal usage of the appliances; it might be more or less than the numbers provided by the generator manufacturer. Find out what your power requirements are now, and then add those numbers to the watts that your appliances use. For instance, if you have three televisions in your home, and they use about 500 watts each, you'll need at least twice that many watts.
Factor in cost efficiency. A standby unit will cost much less to operate than a mobile unit. One of the advantages of portable units is that they have a limited ability to store power. This means that while they're running, they're taking up space that could be used for something else. For this reason, they won't run as long as a fixed stand-by unit. This is why buying a generator that is more efficient when it comes to standby power requirements is a good idea.
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