With storms and weather events that intensify with every passing year, power outages lasting for extended periods of time have become commonplace - a problem that's only going to get worse in the future. When power outages hit, hot water heaters, heating systems, kitchen appliances, basement pumps, security alarms, and other items that use electricity as their lifeblood are rendered useless. You're left literally powerless to control your environment against extreme temperatures, and you have no way to stop flooding and property damage that tend to go hand-in-hand with heavy storms.
And if you have a business which depends on running equipment and computers, you're looking at a significant financial setback. While we all wish power companies would make efforts to bury power lines underground so power grids won't be affected, the reality is such improvements are always deemed "prohibitively expensive" when push comes to shove.
Portable generators are an effective solution to power outages, and come in different sizes and strengths to meet all kinds of needs. From small- to medium-size ones that can run survival appliances to large ones that can power multiple rooms to extra-large ones that can power an entire home (with air conditioning), portable generators are more affordable than you think - especially when compared to the costs of lost productivity and property damage.
In this article, we'll discuss factors that are important to consider when shopping for any generator, and we'll look at some of the products we offer in the Portable Generators section of our website. Whether you prefer gasoline or diesel power, we've got you covered.
Specifics To Consider When Buying Any Generator
Running vs. Peak Watts
Running (rated) watts is the measurement of electricity the generator can put out continuously in a steady stream in order to keep items running. Starting (peak) watts refers to a maximum higher load a generator can temporarily put out for a few seconds in order to satisfy the higher draw needed for motor-driven items when they start. That includes things such as refrigerators, sump pumps, power tools, and air conditioners to name a few.
While generators are often marketed with titles that refer only to peak wattage, we'll use running watts as the main measuring stick in this article. Next to each generator we mention by name, we'll highlight both the running wattage and peak wattage in parenthesis. For example, "(8,000/10,500 watts)" signifies a rating of 8,000 running watts and 10,500 peak watts.
CC's
This is a standard measurement of engine size, based on cubic centimeters of piston displacement volume. Automobile engines use this same measuring metric - for example, a 2.0-liter engine equates to 2,000 CCs. A smaller, less powerful generator motor may have a size of 80 CCs, while a very powerful one may be sized well over 500 CCs.
Gasoline-powered generator motors typically feature a "2-stroke" engine design, similar to most basic lawnmowers. As generator prices increase, you're more likely to find sophisticated "4-stroke" layouts similar to automobile engines. 2-stroke engines pollute more, use slightly more fuel, and may make more noise for their size. Generators that feature a 4-stroke design usually always advertise that fact - so unless you see it mentioned, you're getting a 2-stroke engine.
Run Time
Unless stated otherwise, run time is measured in the number of hours a generator will run on a 100%-full fuel tank, when operating at 50% load capacity. As electrical draw increases, run times will usually decrease.
Fuel Type
While most portable generators are designed to run on gasoline only, we do offer a selection that can run on both gasoline or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), which is mixture of propane and butane. We've even got diesel fuel generators. Note that when running a "dual fuel" generator on propane, wattage output and run time will be lower by a small margin.
Auxiliary Power Ports
In addition to a main power supply output line, portable generators are equipped with extra power ports to operate smaller power devices. Typically, one or more power ports that put out 120 volts of alternating current (AC) and/or 12-volts of direct current (DC) will be present, along with 3-prong household style electric outlets. Look for extra power ports when shopping for generators, because they can prove helpful in an emergency keeping flashlights and cellphones charged.
Pull (Recoil) Start vs Electric Start / Remote Start
Most generators are equipped with a pull cord that's used to manually start the generator. This is described as "recoil" start, and is similar to basic lawn mowers, power saws, etc. Larger generators may offer an electric starting motor option as standard or optional equipment. Keeping a small trickle charger on hand to keep the starter battery from dying may also be a good idea. As an emergency backup measure, many generators with push button starters are also equipped with a pull cord. We've even got generators with a built-in remote starting option that you can start from inside your home without going out in bad weather.
Operating Decibels (dB)
Generators typically come with a decibel rating to give you an idea how much noise they make while operating. Decibels are used to measure how loud a sound is. For perspective, a whisper is usually around 15 decibels, a normal conversation takes place around 60 decibels, a gasoline-powered lawnmower generates 90 decibels, a car horn generates around 110 decibels, and a gun shot can generate 140 decibels or more.
Low Oil Warning Light vs. Automatic Shut-off
Because motor oil is essential to sustained operation of any gasoline-powered engine, all generators are equipped with a sensor to detect if the amount of oil in the reservoir has reached a dangerously low level. On lower-priced generators, such a sensor will trigger a warning light only and the engine will keep running. However, others may be equipped with an automatic cut-off switch if the sensor determines oil is too low. Keep this feature in mind when determining what type of operation meets your needs best.
We Make It Easy To Search For Generators That Match Your Exact Criteria
Once you've read over this article and have a general idea what you're looking for in a generator, notice the check boxes that appear along the left-hand side of the main screen. These let you refine your product search to match criteria you prefer such as rated power in wattages, fuel type, method of starting, fuel tank capacity, engine displacement, weight, dimensions, optional features, and manufacturer brand.
Small Generators
Generators considered "small" (below 3000 watts) are best suited to camping, tailgating, and marine applications where powering one or two electric lights and small appliances is the only concern. These are not recommended for home or office use. We won't focus on small generators in this article, but we do offer a number of these as well.
For best value, there's the Buffalo Corporation Sportsman Series Gasoline Recoil Start Portable Generator (choose 1,100 or 1,500 running watts), Firman Max Pro Performance Gasoline Recoil Start Portable Generator (1,050 running watts/1,300 max), Briggs & Stratton PowerBoss Gasoline Recoil Start Portable Generator (1,150 running watts/2,000 max), Generac 1.7 kW Gasoline Recoil Start Inverter Portable Generator (1,700 running watts/2,200 max), and Pulsar 1.8 kW Generator (1,800 running watts/2,300 max) just to name a few.
Medium-Size Generators
"Medium" size generators that put out between 3,000 - 6,000 running watts can power basic survival appliances in the home such as a furnace fan, refrigerator, and sump pump. If using a generator at the low end of this range, it's best to alternate the use of these items. Generators rated closer to 6,000 watts are better equipped to run all of these devices at the same time because they can handle higher voltage draws that occur when electric motors kick on periodically.
Examples of medium range generators we offer are the the Yamaha 4500W Generator (4,000 running watts/4,500 max), Buffalo Corporation Sportsman Series 3.25 kW Gasoline Recoil Start Portable Generator, and the Cummins Onan 3.7 kW Gasoline Electric/Recoil/Remote Start Portable Generator (3,700 running watts/4,500 max), and Firman Max Pro Performance Gasoline Recoil Start Portable Generator (choose up to 5,700 running watts/7,100 max). If you prefer the cool-running efficiency of diesel fuel, we've got the Pulsar Ford 5.25 kW Diesel/Kerosene Recoil Start Portable Generator (5,250 running watts/6,250 max).
Large-Size Generators
"Large" generators typically put out 6,000 - 9,500 watts and are designed to work best when connected to manual transfer switches that can temporarily supply power to 10 or so circuits in your home's main electrical relay panel. This allows a generator to provide power for a number of rooms in an average-sized home in addition to survival equipment we discussed in earlier paragraphs. However, generators at this level don't have the peak wattage needed to crank up most central air conditioning units. Large generators typically have engines of 400 CCs or larger, fuel tanks that hold 8 gallons or more, and include electric push-button starting standard.
Some examples of generators we offer in this range are the MI-T-M Gasoline Electric Start Portable Generator (up to 6,900 running watts/8,000 peak), Firman Max Pro Hybrid Gasoline/LPG Electric/Recoil Start Portable Generator (8,000 running watts/10,000 peak), Pulsar 9.5 kW Gasoline/LPG Electric/Recoil Start Portable Generator (9,500 running watts/12,000 max).
Extra Large-Size Generators
When you're looking to bring a standard-sized house up to full power and run a small- to medium-sized central air conditioning unit, you'll want nothing less than an extra-large size portable generator with 10,000+ running watts. For example, we've got generators such as the Pulsar 12 kW Gasoline/LPG Electric Start Portable Generator (12,000 running watts/15,000 max) and the Makita 12 kW Gasoline Electric Start Portable Generator (12,000 running watts) designed for houses with small- to medium-sized air conditioning units (3 tons).
If you're not sure how big your air conditioner is, the label on it should specify a measurement of tons, BTUs, or amps. A "ton" refers to the 1-hour cooling ability of an air conditioner, which usually can cool a space of 400-700 square feet depending on how well insulated a home is. 1 ton equals 12,000 BTUs, and residential air conditioning units are usually sold in 1/2-ton increments from 1.5 - 5.0 tons.
If the label on your air conditioner is not present, look at the breaker switch on your home's main circuit panel that's used for the air conditioner. Most air conditioners use either a 30-, 40-, or 50-amp circuit breaker. Once you see the size of the breaker, you can determine the size of a generator you'll need to run it (see the chart below).
Once you have a portable generator at your home, you'll enjoy the security of knowing you'll never have to suffer through loss of important electrical needs during a lengthy power outage. Freezing temperatures, spoiled food, dead cellphones, pitch black rooms, and flooded basements should be worries that you can put in your past. We strongly urge you to follow all safety guidelines outlined by the manufacturer of any generator you purchase, wheeling it outdoors during any time it will be in use to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. While you may rarely need it, we trust that you will feel more secure simply knowing that your power generator always stands ready to serve.