A few years back, people would be making fun of you if you owned a personal stand by generator at your house. A stand by generator was fit only for hospitals, businesses, and other establishments. Otherwise, it would be ridiculous. What people don't know then is that the stand by generator was going to evolve into one of the most vital gadgets in the household.
Nowadays, it is all too common to own a stand by generator. Families just couldn't afford to go through yet another power outage. Important tasks might be delayed, their safety might be compromised and valuable information might get lost. If you do not want to risk this happening to you, the only answer would be for you to get a stand by generator.
What is a Stand by Generator?
When an electric generator is permanently installed, this is what you call a stand by generator. And just as with any electric generator, it powers electrical devices in case of a power outage. This works similarly with your air-conditioning unit, but has 2 major differences.
Air-conditioning units have an electric motor. This is the reason why AC units do not function when there is a power outage. On the other hand, the stand by generator runs on an engine. It is able to function even without electricity.
Another difference is that a stand by generator uses an automatic transfer switch instead of a thermostat in order to monitor utility power. The automatic transfer switch is responsible for turning the generator on once a power outage occurs and turning it off once power is restored.
Is a stand by generator better than a portable generator?
Of course, everything depends on how you plan to use your generator. If you want it light and easy to carry around anywhere, you can go for a portable generator. But if you want a generator that operates by itself and with no human intervention (no need for you to turn it on every time a power outage occurs), the stand by generator is for you. You don't need to carry a generator with you anywhere, don't need to fill up a gas tank, and don't need power cords to connect it.
OK. Now I know what a stand by generator is. What's the first step in choosing the right one?
The first thing you should do is determine whether you want the whole house to be powered, or just a few selected circuits leading to important electrical devices such as the burglar alarm, computer, microwave, night lamp, etc.
If you want to be completely protected from a power outage, it is better for you to decide on a stand by generator that powers the whole house. However, stand by generators that power the entire house come in a hefty price tag. A 20-kilowatt liquid-cooled generator costs anywhere from $6,725 to $12,500. And this amount still does not include installation costs and the automatic transfer switch.
For those who are on a tight budget, you can get a stand by generator that powers select circuits. A typical select circuit generator can power 8-16 circuits and costs $1,999 to $3,850, already inclusive of the automatic transfer switch.
If you have the money to invest in a stand by generator that powers the whole house, go for it. It will be worth every cent. If you can't afford one however, don't fret. There are creative ways available for you to maximize your investment by reviving as many parts of the house as possible.
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