A Generator for Every Household: Everything You Need to Know
Buy a generator that will help you overcome a power outage safely and efficiently. Whether you need a working refrigerator to keep your medicine cold or not to deal with an outage, you can turn to a backup power generator to get you through a power outage comfortably. Generators are not a one-size-fits-all solution, so you need to clearly understand your needs and the characteristics of the generator that best suits them. Below are important questions and answers to consider before purchasing, as well as an overview of safety considerations.
What is a Home Generator and What is It Used for?
A generator is a device that can provide electricity for your home, your business, or when you’re on the go. Despite what the name suggests, generators do not produce electricity. Instead, they take another type of energy and turn it into electricity. Generators use fuel sources such as gasoline, diesel or natural gas to produce electricity.
With a generator, you can power your campsite in an emergency, charge your mobile devices, or run essential home appliances. They range from small portable generators ideal for camping to large standby generators that are essentially permanent units outside the home.
Is It Safe to Use a Home Generator?
Before choosing a generator, it is essential to understand the safety considerations involved. Like anything that produces emissions, generators can cause carbon monoxide poisoning if you’re not careful. Therefore, never run a generator in enclosed spaces and consider buying a portable CO sensor. Also, our online store has a wide selection of power stations for outdoor use.
All Kõnner & Söhnen generators are created under the constant supervision of German experts in factories that produce generators and garden equipment for leading brands in the European and North American markets and undergo tests at various stages of production. All our products meet European and international quality, efficiency and sustainability standards (including harmful emissions and noise pollution).
5 Reasons to Have a Generator at Home
Refrigerated food
If your fridge and freezer are full, you can lose hundreds of euros due to spoiled food. It is recommended to throw out the perishable foods already after four hours after the refrigerator turns off. However, if you hook up your fridge to a generator, you can avoid these costs.
Computers and data
A generator can provide the constant power you need to run your business and prevent damage from power surges. The reason for the power surge is usually a power outage. When power is restored, it can damage electrical components and even cause a fire. However, having a backup generator can prevent these dangerous voltages from destroying the electrical equipment in your house.
Electric cars
A power outage can leave electric car owners entirely stranded. If you use an electric car as your primary form of transportation, having a generator ensures that you can drive to work, get essential groceries, and get to the emergency room even during a power outage.
Medical devices
Lack of power in a medical device can have adverse effects. Having a generator prevents enforced medical emergencies, keeping you and your loved ones safe.
Preventing burst pipes
Freezing pipes can burst, ruin plumbing, and cause water damage by flooding your house. With a backup generator, your water heater can still run at standard capacity, providing the heat it needs to prevent the pipes from freezing.
The Main Types of Generator
When choosing a generator, you must first determine the type of generator you want. The main types are portable generators, inverter generators, and standby generators.
Portable Generator
Portable generators often have wheels, making them easy to move around to deliver electricity anywhere. Smaller models can be handheld rather than wheeled, making them even more mobile. You can use a portable generator on camping trips to charge mobile devices, run a camp stove, or keep the lights on after sunset. Portable generators usually run on gasoline and are more affordable than standby generators. However, these generators cannot produce the same amount of energy.
Inverter Generator
Among inverter generators, there are both whole home and portable generators, but they differ in the way they produce electricity. A conventional generator produces electricity in one phase and cannot maintain a stable current. Inverter generators produce electricity in three phases, creating energy that remains stable. For this reason, it is suitable for use in sensitive electronics such as phones and laptops. Thanks to the stable energy output, inverter generators also work more quietly.
Standby Generator
The high price tag of a standby generator puts it in a completely different category than portable generators. While you can carry a portable generator around, a standby generator is a semi-permanent feature of the home. These generators have a large fuel tank and a highly fuel-efficient engine that can provide electricity to the entire house in an emergency. If your power goes out, the standby generator will automatically turn on.
Read more about choosing a generator for a private house in our article Choose the Best Generator For a Private House. For customer support and individual consultation, please contact us on the Contact page.
