Power Outage Protection: Top Tips for Getting the Best Natural Gas Generator for Your Budget

When you lose power to your home, it is a major inconvenience and sometimes a lot more than

that when you lose your connection to the grid.

Regular power outages mean that backup generators are now a necessity for many homeowners.

 

If you are looking to get a generator, it makes sense to understand how to set up a permanent

standby system, what your fuel options are, and how much power you need to keep your home

running when the grid fails.

 

“If you are looking for generator capable

of supplying all the power you need in

an outage situation you will need to

look beyond a basic generator.”

 

Creating a permanent solution

Power Outage Protection: Top Tips for Getting the Best Natural Gas Generator for Your Budget

There is a fundamental difference between picking a generator as a temporary power source

and creating a more permanent standby solution.

 

A basic generator will be there to give you some electric power when you need it.

The average residential generator uses an engine to spin the generator and create the power.

However, the excessive noise created by this engine is something you need to think about, as it

can be off-putting.

 

If you are looking for generator capable of supplying all the power you need in an outage situation

you will need to look beyond a basic generator.

 

Power Outage Protection: Top Tips for Getting the Best Natural Gas Generator for Your Budget

A grid-tie installation can be considered a viable solution.

This system involves the generator and the incoming grid wires to be tied into the transfer switch.

The grid-tie installation works by monitoring the level of incoming grid power.

If there is a , the generator will switch off contact with the grid and the engine will

start to generate power to your home.  

 

It takes less than a minute for the generator’s electricity supply to start.

As soon as the grid power becomes available again, the switching circuit will automatically switch

over again and the generator will power down.

 

The ability to switch between grid and generator power as seamlessly as possible will allow you

to cope with an emergency or longer-term problems, giving you a reliable supply of electricity

to your home.

 

Choosing the right fuel

Power Outage Protection: Top Tips for Getting the Best Natural Gas Generator for Your Budget

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Choosing the right fuel for your standby generator will make a difference to reliability, running

costs and safety.

The majority of residential standby generators are powered by natural gas.

 

You will have to set up a natural gas line from your gas meter to the generator.

Think about positioning your generator on your property where there is good access to a natural

gas line.

If you don’t have a natural gas line at your home, you can use liquid propane as an alternative.

 

You will want to buy the  available for your budget and power requirements.

Remember that the amount of fuel the generator will burn depends on the size of the unit and the

electrical load. 

Power Outage Protection: Top Tips for Getting the Best Natural Gas Generator for Your Budget

Work out the energy requirements for your home and match it with a generator that can cope with

that level of demand.

If you’re unsure in any way about the size of the generator you need it would be better to seek a

professional opinion from your supplier.

 

You need to choose the right fuel type and generator for your needs if you are going to successfully

meet your electricity needs when the grid fails.

 

Working out your wattage

Power Outage Protection: Top Tips for Getting the Best Natural Gas Generator for Your Budget

You can work out the wattage capacity you need by performing a simple calculation.

Residential backup generators are sold by their wattage capacity.

You will need to calculate the wattage usage of your home to get the right one.

When you do your calculations, remember that your power usage will vary according to

the season.

If you rely on an A/C unit through the summer, this will add to your electricity consumption

figures.

Power Outage Protection: Top Tips for Getting the Best Natural Gas Generator for Your Budget

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The information you need can be found on your electricity bill.

Look for the average .  

Take that hourly figure and multiply that number by 24.

 

Working out your wattage is a critical aspect when choosing a generator.

If you don’t buy a generator that meets your power needs you will soon overwork it.

The voltage output will be affected by an over-burdened generator and can even damage the

appliances it is powering.

 

Why natural gas is best

Power Outage Protection: Top Tips for Getting the Best Natural Gas Generator for Your Budget

If you have a natural gas supply to your property, it is the best way to provide backup power

to your home.

 

You can buy a natural gas generator in a size that will fit all of your electrical needs.

Having natural gas connected to the standby unit allows the generator to start up almost

immediately after the power from the grid fails.

 

You won’t get the same noise issues with natural gas generators and reduced emissions make

them an environmentally friendly option.

If you want comprehensive power outage protection, a natural gas generator will deliver the

system you need to keep the lights on in your home.

 

About the Author
Chris Miles enjoys renovating houses in his spare time, and has a passion for natural homes and using as many eco-friendly and green products as possible. He writes about all of this in his articles.

 

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