Electricity is one of the most common resources that is used in every household. However frequent blackouts can make life difficult. You will not be able to watch television, carry out your household chores or charge your electronic devices like laptop and your smartphone. Your life will practically come to a standstill. To ensure that you don’t have to deal with these difficulties, you should keep an inverter generator handy. This device can make your life easy, simple and seamless even when there are intermittent outages or other similar inconveniences.
Inverter generator and its different kinds:
You can broadly divide your options into two types – standby and portable. The standby inverter generator requires permanent installation. This heavy-duty device can supply your home with continuous power during extended electrical outages. But it is expensive. If you want a more affordable solution to your electricity needs, consider a portable inverter generator, which can be stored anywhere, such as a shed, garage, basement, or any other site. The higher-wattage standby inverter generators often contain wheels, while lower-wattage designs feature a handle. You need a transfer switch to connect larger portables with an electrical panel. These devices can run almost everything from laptops to medical equipment without electricity or a limited supply.
A portable inverter generator operates on gasoline, solar, and diesel. Gasoline-powered inverter generators use standard or lead-free fuel. However, you need to have enough gas supply in store. Keep in mind it has a shelf-life. On the other hand diesel ones can be stored for a long time but it is more common in industrial settings. Some of these devices rely on solar power and require a backup to store energy. Of these three, gas-fueled ones are the most popular.
Portable inverter generators vs. standby inverter generators
If you are a budget-conscious family with a limited power supply, the portable inverter generator is an affordable solution for your home during emergencies. It is cost-effective and easy to install. Larger devices on the other hand need to be linked with a circuit-breaker panel through a transfer switch. You can trust them to offer almost all the benefits of a standby model. Whenever there is an outage, take your device out of the storage to connect and fire it up with a transfer switch.
Standby or whole-house inverter generators are oversized devices and they are generally costly. Moreover, you need to hire an electrician and a plumbing subcontractor in order to install this device. Plus, these devices demand a permanent location in the house. Unless you face frequent and prolonged outages in your area, it is better to opt for portable devices.
Things to consider when buying portable inverter generators
Portable inverter generators with 500 to 5500 watts are easily available on the market. After calculating your home’s wattage consumption needs, you can decide on the model that will meet your needs. With this device you can easily keep your fridge or an entire kitchen operational during an outage. If you are not sure what your ideal wattage consumption is, think about all the devices to be connected to the inverter generator. Look at the wattage ratings for each appliance in the respective manual. You can also search for it online. After checking all the ratings, add up the total wattage requirements. It will hint at which one can easily meet your electricity demands. Standard devices usually consume this much power:
- Portable heater: 750 to 1,500 watts
- Microwave: 700 to 1,500 watts
- Coffee maker: 600 to 1,200 watts
- Refrigerator: 500 to 1,000 watts
- Desktop computer: 125 to 200 watts
- Ceiling fan: 65 to 175 watts
- Laptop: 20 to 75 watts
If you want to operate larger appliances during a power outage, only 3.5 kW to 5.5 kW portable inverter generators should be considered. However, smaller devices should be powered with 500 to 3,000 watts, depending on the specific situation. You also need to consider the fuel type. Gas-based portables are more suitable than propane and diesel models. It is also cheaper than propane and diesel.
Installation and operation of portable inverter generators
When it comes to portable inverter generators, you can handle it yourself. As long as you are aware of the handling process, you will not experience any difficulty. To connect the device with the electric system, you need a transfer switch. This will help to establish a safe connection between the two. In order to avoid any kind of shocks, you should not opt for a direct wiring connection supply with the device. Moreover, portable ones can be placed anywhere. To ensure the best utility of the unit, you need to keep the following factors in mind:
- You should keep the inverter generator at a distance of 20 feet away from the house.
- It should not be a fully enclosed area.
- It is crucial that there is about 5 feet of space on all four sides of the device.
- Keep the device away from heat sources.
When you keep these safety factors in mind, you will be able to avoid any kind of hazard. However, it is best to read the installation manual before you proceed with the installation process. It will clear many of your doubts and you will have a better idea about what needs to be done.
Generally, the portable ones take a few minutes to start. In most cases, the power output remains high at the start before it becomes normal. So, it is best to wait a few minutes before connecting the unit with any appliance. It is best to connect only those appliances that are suitable for the specific unit. Overloading the device can lead to short-circuit.
Summing it up
When purchasing the high quality and cost-effective inverter generator you should always consider your requirements so that the device meets your needs. It has got a specific purpose to serve. There is no point in buying a model that fails to deliver. Between the two options, portable inverter generators are better since they are easy to install and set up. Moreover, they are easy on the pocket. You can also carry it with you if you shift to a new property.
