When do you need a generator

Portable gas generators have received some technological makeovers in recent years. One is critical to safety , and one significantly boosts the level of performance for a certain breed known as inverter generators. To reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, some new portable generators feature a built-in sensor that triggers an automatic shutoff if CO builds up to dangerous levels in an enclosed space. And some also have engines that emit less CO in the first place.

Many inverters now offer the CO safety shutoff—as well as the improved performance in the way of fuel efficiency and reduced noise. As a group, inverter generators are more expensive than conventional portable models, but they have distinct advantages. An inverter generator electronically throttles the engine up and down to meet demand instead of running full tilt all the time.

Inverter generators also produce lower emissions and are generally very quiet. To help you make better sense of your options, we break our inverter generator ratings into three groups:. Large With very few exceptions, the large inverter generators in our ratings weigh around pounds or more wheels included. They generate 5, watts of power or more at volts. This category of inverter generator can be connected directly to your electrical panel with a safety device called a transfer switch , which CR strongly recommends.

Midsized These weigh 80 pounds or more and might come with wheels. This size is well-suited for users of recreational vehicles. Recreational These weigh 50 to 60 pounds and are designed to be carried with one hand. Most recreational models max out at around 2, watts, which should be plenty for tailgating or camping.

Consumer Reports has more than two dozen inverter generators in our ratings, about half of which have the automatic CO shutoff. The circuit your home is on includes many of the homes around you, all of which are connected to a local substation. Even low-voltage lines can reach an excess of 50, volts, which means even the slightest bit of electrical exposure could be fatal almost immediately.

So while you might be able to produce your own power, the fact of the matter is your home still depends on this connection. According to foodsafety. After this time you will need to defrost it and consume it or dispose of it. A fridge will hold food at a safe temperature for up to 4 hours during a power outage before it should be discarded. You can learn more about this at Refrigeratorfaq. Can you afford to lose all the food you have stored in your fridges and freezers? If not, then you may need a generator.

If you store only small amounts of food any one time then the cost of installing a power backup device probably outweighs the benefits. If you have life saving medical equipment on site that requires power to operate and it may be needed in an emergency, then it goes without saying that you need some sort of backup power.

If you live in a colder part of the world then you heating your home is not a luxury, it is a necessity. And depending on the type of heating you use, it may be that you require power to keep your house warm. Pellet stoves , electric space heaters, heat pumps and central heating all require electricity to run.

An extended power outage could mean allowing the house to drop to uncomfortable and possibly dangerous temperatures. Check out our post on battery powered heaters for more info. For some of people, being able to communicate with the outside world is essential. Not just to be able to check your instagram feed, but to be able to contact emergency services in the event of an emergency. If you rely on power to keep your communications up and running charging phones, CB radios, internet and you simply MUST have the ability to contact the outside world at all times then you might need to look into a generator.

One example that spring to mind is a sump pump. Learn more: Generating Electricity At Home. Owning a generator is not simply a case of set it up when you need it and it works. There are numerous things that you need to be aware of before purchasing one.