Buying Tips

How to Safely Store a Generator Outside(updated for 2022)

★★★★★ Looking for the ways to safely store your generator outside? Before purchasing your generator as a backup power system, make sure you have generator storage outside your home ready that will house and protect it from any harmful elements in the environment. Installing it inside or leaving it open outside with just a simple shelter are common mistakes that many homeowners do. It takes proper generator storage to be able to benefit from its utility for a long time and safeguard the entire household from any untoward incidents.

Generator storage may be in the form of a sturdy shelter, wood enclosure (with ventilation), or a durable canopy designed for such equipment. Just make sure that your generator storage is located outside to avoid toxic fume buildup inside your home.

Choosing the Right Power Cord for Your Generator(updated for 2022)

If you choose not to have a switch installed, you have to plug the appliances on the outlet panel of your generator and this is where you will need a generator power cord. Power at home is very essential. Without it, household chores will be disrupted and a number of other important activities will be hampered. Yes, we can absolutely say that electricity is a necessity not just at home, but anywhere we go. Because of this, more and more people find it convenient to provide their homes and offices with generators. Generators have two kinds: standby and portable. Continuous use of appliances despite a power outage is possible by using a standby generator which is efficient as it can be a source of backup power.

It is permanently mounted outside where it may be plugged into power wirings. Once the power is out, the generator automatically operates within seconds. However, if you want a generator that may be used for locations wherein power supply is low or none such as on camps and construction sites, then you may choose to buy a portable generator.

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Cost of Grid Power versus Running a Portable Generator(updated for 2022)

With the different types of all-weather portable generators for home use available today, would it be more practical/cost-efficient to run your power supply with a generator or hook up to a grid power line?

By reading this article further, you may be able to get some ideas on how to measure or estimate your grid power cost vs. portable generator fuel cost and compare which method is a more cost-efficient method for your particular requirement.

Portable generators are effective backup power system during a power outage and they are also an efficient source of power supply where there is no grid power line connected to your home or business. However, the price of fuel is constantly rising as well as the cost of energy usage at home which put you in a tight spot as to which way to go and how you can trim down your energy bills.

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What is a CARB-Compliant Generator?(updated for 2022)

Latest update: CARB rules don’t restrict when you can use consumer-type generators during PSPS events. Online gaming, watching television, cooking and warming your house are only some of the activities which can cease suddenly if there is a power outage. Basically, electricity means everything. Since almost everything depends on electricity, we cannot do anything if there is a sudden outage of electrical supply.

Power outages commonly occur during terrible weather conditions like hurricanes or typhoons. Since the United States is usually pumped with unpredictable weather, homes and families are geared with their own generator. During these difficult times, a generator comes in handy because it allows you to resume your regular activities without any power outage interruption.

It can provide the electrical power you need while you are patiently waiting for the electricity to be restored. Within a span of several hours, you can continue the things you are doing which requires the use of electricity. However, purchasing just an ordinary generator without being compliant to the CARB rules and regulations could be harmful to your health and the environment.

How to Determine A Generator’s Fuel Consumption(updated for 2022)

★★★★★ It is important to consider generator fuel consumption, especially noting how many hours does a generator run on a gallon of gas. You definitely don’t want to have to refill your generator every two hours. You can determine a generator’s fuel consumption from the product information, for example, Champion Power Equipment 46533 indicate that it can runs for 12 hours on full tank (4 gallons) of gas at 50% load. In other words, 1 gallon of gas can run for 3 hours at 50% load. Remember the keyword here is 50% load, if you use it for higher load, the consumption will be higher and if you use it for lower load, the consumption will be lower. By estimation, at 25% load, 1 gallon of gas can run for 4.5 hours but at 100% load, 1 gallon of gas can last for 1.5 hour.
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No Spill Gas Cans for Portable Generators

A power outage? Almost everyone is upset when one occurs. Who wouldn’t be? You are almost finishing watching your favorite TV series, and then snap! No electricity. People these days are okay with the water supply being cut off but electricity is a different story. They will definitely throw a tantrum.

This is where portable generators come in. Portable generators are handy gas powered devices which are used to “generate” electrical power temporarily. So while you are waiting for the lights to come you can still have electricity thanks to a generator. These portable generators can provide electricity for a short period of time only since they also run out of power. For a continuous supply of electricity you need to have a no spill gas can full of gas at all times.