all you need to know about a stand by generator | Home

By AnnTriune
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The thought of owning your very own stand by generator seemed outrageous just a few years back. Only big companies and businesses needed stand by generators to supply electricity in case of an outage. No one would have ever thought that it would someday become an indispensable apparatus in the common household.

Nowadays, using a stand by generator at home is not so unusual. Being almost totally reliant on electricity to perform different tasks, families just couldn't afford to risk losing electricity during a power outage. And if you really want to be able to live life as you do everyday even when a power outage occurs, consider getting a stand by generator.

What is a Stand by Generator?

A stand by generator is a type of electric generator that is permanently installed outside. It supplies electricity in case of a power outage. It works quite similar to your typical electrical appliance, say, your air-conditioning unit. But there are two factors that set a stand by generator apart from an AC unit.

Instead of having an electric motor, which is present in your AC unit, the stand by generator runs on an engine. So, when a power outage occurs, your AC unit is sure to cease functioning while your stand by generator is still capable of functioning.

The stand by generator also uses an automatic transfer switch as opposed to the thermostat in your AC units in monitoring utility power. When a power outage occurs, the switch automatically turns the generator on, without any manual supervision. When power is restored, the automatic transfer switch turns the generator off.

Is a stand by generator better than a portable generator?

Portable generators are different from a stand by generator. They have different features and purposes. If you want a generator that's light and easy to carry along, you'd obviously go for a portable generator. But the stand by generator also has its own unique features. By using the stand by generator, you do not need to manually operate your generator (thanks to the automatic transfer switch). There would also be no power cords involved and definitely no filling up of the gas tank.

OK. Now I know what a stand by generator is. What's the first step in choosing the right one?

The first thing you should do is determine whether you want the whole house to be powered, or just a few selected circuits leading to important electrical devices such as the burglar alarm, computer, microwave, night lamp, etc.

If you're willing to shell out wads of cash to enjoy maximum power supply, you can get a stand by generator that has the capacity to power the whole house. A 20-kilowatt liquid-cooled generator costs $6,275 to $12,500, exclusive of automatic transfer switch and installation costs.

Stand by generators that power mission-critical circuits are also available to those who cannot afford an expensive generator. These select circuit standby generators can power about 8-16 circuits and can cost you anywhere from $1,999 to $3,850, including the automatic transfer switch.

Consider buying a stand by generator a wise investment. For those fortunate enough to have the financial resources, it is recommended you get one that powers the whole house. But for those who can't, there are many tricks and tips available to make the most of your investment by restoring as many parts of the house as possible.

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