How to Pick The Perfect Standby Generator

When a power outage strikes, it's not just the inconvenience of spoiled food and disrupted work that's at stake; your safety could be compromised too. That's why investing in a standby generator for home or business backup power is a smart decision.

Standby generators outshine portable ones in performance, safety, and convenience. Say goodbye to the hassle of cords and refuelling. However, it's essential to note that they typically come with a higher price tag.

During an outage, your standby generator automatically powers essential items like:

• HVAC Systems (A/C & Furnace)
• Refrigeration
• Appliances
• Lighting
• Security Systems
• Sump Pumps
• Well Pumps
• Electronics (PCs/TVs)

Which Stanby Generator Should You Get?

The 3 types of standby generators available are

1) Home Standby

2) Commercial

3) Whole-House

The type you should buy will depend on the load requirements of your application. Let's take a look at each type in more detail.

If you're seeking the utmost in backup power reliability, a whole-house generator is the ideal solution for your home.

Whole-house generators offer numerous advantages over standard standby generators. With larger, more potent engines, some of which may be liquid-cooled for extended operation without maintenance, these systems boast sophisticated programming for enhanced power management. Additionally, they provide a wider range of fuel options, including natural gas, liquid propane, and diesel.

Once you've installed a whole-house generator, you'll find yourself wondering why you didn't make the investment sooner.

Home Standby Generators

For small to medium-sized homes, the standard home standby generator offers an excellent combination of affordability, easy installation, and serviceability.

With smart management of your electrical loads, you can hardly notice when the electrical grid goes down. However, it's important to understand that a common misconception is that a home standby generator can restore power to the entire house without consideration of power usage.

In reality, these air-cooled systems typically generate 8-26 kilowatts of power, sufficient to run most essentials and a small central air conditioner. However, you'll need to manage your energy consumption. For added convenience, consider models equipped with a service-rated automatic transfer switch, enabling restoration of power to your entire panel and facilitating energy management through features like "A/C Shedding.

Liquid-Cooled vs. air-cooled

Liquid-cooled engines operate similarly to automobile engines, circulating a liquid coolant within the engine to dissipate heat through a radiator. This design makes liquid-cooled generators more durable, powerful, and capable of running for extended periods. Despite their size, they surprisingly operate quietly. Liquid-cooled generators can produce electricity up to 150 kilowatts and are primarily used in commercial and large whole-house applications.

On the other hand, Air-cooled engines utilize cooler outside air to prevent overheating and are commonly found in lawn mowers, portable generators, and most home standby generators up to 26 kilowatts in size.