Welp MagazineMany people don’t realize there are many different types of generators to meet the needs of every household. There are four basic types: portable, standby, inverter, and hybrid. The type you choose depends on what your specific needs are- if you need a more powerful generator for emergencies or if you just want something with less noise. It’s important to know how to choose between these types so that you can find the one that suits your home best!
1. Inverter Generators
Inverter generators are often used with a battery to create a small device that can be taken anywhere. They’re much quieter than other generators (usually at about 1,000 watts) and can supply power to a small number of appliances for short times. Inverter generators are great as backup sources when camping, tailgating, or during emergencies when you need to power something like a laptop. The downside is that they’re usually pretty expensive for their size and can only run for short periods of time (2-4 hours) before needing to be recharged. You can take a look at Generatorsage.com for a review on various different types of generators. This makes it easy for you to make an informed decision.
2. Standby Generators
This type of generator is a lot more powerful than a portable generator and they’re bigger in size. They usually run at about 6,000 watts which can power most homes when an emergency strikes. These types of generators are permanently installed outside your home so that you have power even during emergencies. These generators keep running with or without electricity from the grid so they provide constant power; they’re also very durable and can run for hours. The downside to standby generators, however, is that they’re pretty noisy (75-85 decibels) and require a little bit of installation.
3. Portable Generators
These smaller generators usually run at about 3,000 watts which is enough power for most homes in an emergency situation like hurricanes and blizzards. They’re also very lightweight (usually under 300 lbs.) and quiet making them easy to store during non-emergency times. They can be very useful during a power outage at home and also come in handy when tailgating, camping, or RV-ing. Portable generators can run for about 7 hours on a single propane tank making them great to use as backup whenever the grid goes out.
4. Hybrid Generators
The final generator, the hybrid generator, is great for homes that need more than just a few appliances running during emergencies. They run at 10,000 watts or higher and are great for powering all the appliances in your home. The upside to these generators is that they’re pretty cheap and can be used as backup whenever the electricity goes out. The downside, however, is that they’re usually pretty noisy (75-85 decibels) and require a lot of installation.
Choosing the right generator for your home can be difficult. Standby generators are powerful but they’re noisy, inverter generators have a limited capacity, and hybrid generators require installation. Portable generators are usually smaller in size with less power which makes them great for emergencies or to use as backup when camping. They may not provide constant power during an emergency situation but if you need something quiet that is lightweight, portable might just be what you need!
