Most company owners consider buying a generator to offer peace of mind for their employees, clients, and themselves against emergencies. Additionally, due to the frequent and random occurrence of natural disasters, almost every homeowner considers buying a generator as a crucial step. However, choosing the right generator type, whether it’s a portable, standby, or a portable inverter generator is an overwhelming task for many. Thus, you need to consider your needs to be able to choose the perfect generator for you.
Here are some of the main key points that you need to be well-aware of to solve this puzzle and choose a generator that will suit your needs:
Different Types of Generators
Home standby generators, for example, are the perfect type to choose if you want to restore power to your entire house. This type is installed permanently in your house, or most likely outside, to help in case of a power outage. The installation process is quite complicated, and it requires the experience of trained professionals. Home standby generators are the most expensive type that you can get; usually, they cost around $4000+ without installation. It uses propane or natural gas as a fuel source.
Portable generators, on the other hand, come in different sizes. They cost slightly less than home standby generators; the average prices vary from $3k and up to $4k for top models. They are used as a backup source for power; however, you will only be able to power certain items, of your choice, in the household. Just like the other type, the required fuel source is usually propane or natural gas.
Which Fuel Type to Go For?
The right type of fuel that you are going to use for the generator is one of the most important factors that you need to consider and educate yourself on their differences. This will give you an idea of the right generator that will be adequate for your needs.
Here are some of the key differences between petrol and diesel generators to simplify this decision:
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Diesel Generators
The initial cost of diesel generators is higher than petrol generators. However, they are far more energy-efficient, which helps their owners save more money in the long run. Maintenance costs for diesel generators are pricey, but they are extremely durable and have better longevity. Thus, it requires a less-frequent maintenance routine. The different models at https://www.ablesales.com.au/diesel-generators-perth-melbourne-brisbane/diesel-generator/ show that the prices can vary between $900 and up to $3000+ depending on your voltage requirements. Prices also differ depending on the size of fuel storage you want to cover your needs. While homeowners might want a generator for partial home power, business owners are better off choosing a diesel engine that will allow them to operate entirely larger systems.
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Petrol Generators
Unlike diesel generators, the ones that run on natural gas are less expensive. However, their life spans are far shorter than diesel ones. This means that if you need to use the generator frequently, it will break down. That’s why petrol generators are better for homeowners who want an alternate power source as a backup system during outages. They are more efficient for emergency usage.
The Maximum Load
Before discovering the maximum load for different types of generators, you will need to specify your needs and what you want from the generator you will buy. Do you want a generator to be the sole and the main power source for your entire home or business? Do you need an emergency generator that will help you in case of an outage? And most importantly, do you want the generator to power your system partially or entirely?
You can calculate an estimate of the generator size you need by adding the continuous watts of all the items you need to operate at the same time. If you are not sure about the starting wattage of the different items you need to operate, you can search for this information online. This will give you an idea of the maximum load your generator should be rated at to satisfy all your needs.
You should consider the fuel type, fuel storage size, your voltage requirements, and whether you want the generator to be installed permanently in the building or you want a portable one. These factors will limit your search and give you an idea of the amount of money you need to spend to have the perfect generator for your needs. However, if you are still unsure about some or all of these factors, you can seek help from professionals who will help you in determining which generator to go for.