How to Rate House Generators
House generators are very useful in regions where powerful storms often knock out the power for hours, days or even weeks at a time. They come in many different sizes and offer many different levels of power, from ones that can power a stove and some lights to ones that can power an entire house for days on end. If you're planning on purchasing a house generator, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Consider the electrical output you need. A small generator can produce anywhere between 1,800 and 15,00 watts, which is enough to power some appliances and lights. A large generator can produce between 40 and 50 kilowatts, which can power an entire home, enabling you to watch TV, listen to music, have full lighting and anything else you want to run.
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Focus on what amount of fuel capacity you want. Home generators range from small to large, and as such, they have differing capacities for fuel storage. Small, portable home generators have tanks attached to them, and these can range from a 4-gallon tank to a 16-gallon tank, which can run from eight to 14 hours, respectively, while large generators can be hooked up to oil and gas tanks at your house to run for days on end.
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Find what size of generator you can have in your home. Small, portable generators can be stored in a garage, basement or even in a large closet and can be brought out only when needed. They range in weight from 80 to 400 lbs. and often are not much larger than a lawnmower. However, permanent, large home generators must be kept in one area of the home, either in the basement or outside of the house. They can be as small as five feet high and weigh 1,000 lbs., or as large as 10 feet long and 3,000 lbs.
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Consider what price range you can afford. Small, portable generators typically range from $370 to $2,700. Large generators cost anywhere from $2,800 to $15,000. There are many reputable websites (see Resources below) for finding makes, types and prices of generators to provide you with an idea for what you want and what is within your price range.
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