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Home Generator

Generators come in two basic types: home standby and portable. The source of home backup power you ultimately choose will be determined by many factors, including your power requirements.

The Generac Guardian QuietSource 16,000-watt aluminum standby home generator (pictured) is one of the most affordable and best automatic standby generators on the market today. Featuring a newly designed alternator that can start a 5-ton and a 3-ton, or two 4-ton air conditioners with plenty of power to spare, this home generator will give you the backup power you need when the grid goes down. And for added value, this standby generator is built with a corrosion-resistant aluminum enclosure to better withstand the elements. This option is especially important for homes in southern and coastal communities.

Home backup generators, sometimes called "home standby generators", have become very popular in recent years with residential homeowners. The home backup generator is usually installed on a small pad just outside the residence and attached to the home utility power box by means of a automatic transfer switch. When utility power fails the unit is activated and begins powering some or all of the electric circuits in the home, when the utility power resumes the standby generator is disconnected from the home circuits, and it powers-down. Part of the popularity of the home standby generator is due to the high availability of both propane and natural gas fuels in the residential environment.

Since backup home generators, like Kohler, are installed outside the residence they have easy access to any existing gas lines. Where natural gas does not exist in a neighborhood the homeowner may decide to install a large propane gas tank that can be periodically refilled by a local gas vendor. These fully automatic systems are the most affordable and easiest generators to install. A properly installed automatic home standby generator system will restore power within 30 seconds of an outage, whether you're home or away. Power ratings range from 5000 to 50,000 watts to meet a wide variety of homeowner applications. These home emergency generators should always be installed by a qualified electrician and require the use of an manual or automatic transfer switch.

These stationary electric home generators are larger and more powerful than the smaller portable homeowner generators that are more suited for running fewer electric devices and operate manually. Consider your needs and budget carefully before deciding which size home generator to purchase. You can purchase a natural gas home generator or a propane home generator.

Home portable generators, have also become very popular in recent years with residential homeowners. The home portable generator are small generator sets that can range from 900 to 8,000 watts, be handheld, mounted on a stationary frame, or a wheeled cart and generally operate on gasoline (although other fuel options are readly available). Home portable generators are less expensive (than stationary generators) and can be easily stored in a garage or utility closet when not in use. Home portable generators are available to run one or two critical home devices when utility power is interrupted. Smaller units allow the homeowner to plug an appliance directly to the generator (usually via an extension cord), where larger portable generator units may power an entire home circuit via use of a manual transfer switch.

If you want to connect your generator to your home's electrical system, you'll need a manual transfer switch. Make sure your generator's manufacturer supports connecting your model to a transfer switch. If supported, comply with your model's safety and warranty guidelines as well any local building codes during the installation. In general, it's best to hire an electrician to handle the wiring of your home to the generator and transfer switch.

Safety is an issue with home portable generators if they are not used properly. These units must never be operated indoors, or in a home garage even with the door open due to the potential for exhaust fume buildup. In addition, homeowners must be careful not to overload the capacity of the generator by attenpting to operate too many electric devices at the same time. Careful attention to the operating instructions that come with each unit will make this a safe and rewarding purchase.

Several manufacturers provide these type of generators, such as: Coleman, Generac, Yamaha, Onan, and Honda.

Home Generator Safety

Do not operate generators indoors, in enclosed spaces, or near a window. Make sure there is proper ventilation for all exhaust.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation, operation, and maintenance.
Do not operate generators near combustible materials.
Operate portable generators on a level surface.
Do not plug a portable generator directly into your house circuit.
Do not attach a generator's transfer switch to your circuit box yourself unless you're very sure of what you're doing. Check all applicable local, state, and national codes and the warranty information before you do this.

Home Generator Sales and Information websites:

• Standby generators - Home portable, emergency, backup and standby generators for residential and business.

• Home portable generators - Specializing in portable generators sales for home standby, backup and more. Choose electric generators for reliability and durability.

• Home backup generators - Everything from power electric generators to portable and home backup generators. Generac and Guardian generators.

• Home and RV generator sales - Home and RV generator sales for Generac and Guardian. Quiet new and used portable rv generators fueled propane, gasoline, or natural gas.

• Home generators - Home power, standby and backup generators sales. Gas portable generators, home propane and natural gas.

• Home power generators - Home standby and portable electric power generator reviews and consumer information. Review the products before you buy!