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.
What is a CARB-Compliant Generator?
First of all, what does CARB mean? CARB stands for California Air Resources Board. CARB is an agency that deals with environmental protection, specifically air pollution. Because of this, a generator needs to be compliant with CARB’s rules and regulations.
As of today, air pollution accounts for the biggest percentage of pollution across the globe. With so many chemicals and air pollutants that circulate the air, a non-compliant product is undoubtedly hazardous to everyone’s health and mainly to the environment. Those with a weak immune system especially children and the elderly would get sick if they inhaled harmful air pollutants.
Since generators combust fuel, there are air emissions which are definitely not safe. Power equipment engines like generators are inescapable of producing harmful emissions. So there has to be some type of regulation limiting the amount of emissions created. CARB developed a measure on how to prevent these harmful emissions and this is exactly the purpose of CARB-compliant generators.
To lessen that risk, generator manufacturers should observe the set standards of CARB and be compliant with it.
As for generators, you need to purchase a CARB-compliant generator and this means that your generator follows the standards of CARB in producing cleaner air. Though a CARB-compliant generator still produces emissions, compared to non-compliant ones, this type of generator is much safer to use. Lesser emissions equals cleaner air.
Is the CARB-Compliant Generator A Must?
It was required only within products in California but soon most states around the U.S had to follow the CARB-compliant generator rules and regulations. It is common sense that in order to breathe cleaner and fresher air, one should be mindful on what kind of generator to buy. Check the model of a particular generator to see whether it is compliant with CARB.
The first step in choosing a CARB approved and compliant power equipment engine is to examine the manufacturer and model. To be sure, you can always ask the store clerk or anyone who is knowledgeable about a CARB-compliant generator.
The CARB agency wants every home to have pollutant free air and this was the main reason they came up with this perfect plan. Though being compliant with the CARB standards, as said earlier doesn’t necessarily mean that using a CARB-compliant generator will let you escape from emissions completely. It will only produce lesser emissions but of course this helps out a lot.
Why You Need A CARB-Compliant Generator?
You can do a lot of things with a generator. If it’s a CARB compliant one then you won’t have much to worry about. You don’t have to worry about things such as inhaling hazardous chemicals or a huge amount of emissions coming out from your generator.
You need a CARB-compliant generator so you can have a clean supply of electricity. When there is a power outage, this compliant generator will answer all your needs whenever electricity is necessary while at the same time doing less damage to the environment.
If you are busy gaming with your friends, you won’t have to throw a tantrum when the electrical power is suddenly cut off. You can just turn on your power equipment engine and keep playing. Isn’t that convenient?
Aside from that, you can also cook food for your family without any interruption if you happen to have an electrical stove (most households do). Power outages usually happen under some special circumstances. You and your family will never have to worry as long as there is an electrical power source from your compliant generator.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a CARB-Compliant Generator
The advantages of a generator compliant with CARB can be summarized in a few words, cleaner and safer air for everyone. True enough, this type of generator can actually be an ally to your personal health.
Since it is compliant with the standards of CARB, you will have less exposure to respiratory problems. The combustion of fuel usually targets and damages the lungs as we inhale them inside our body system. When this goes on, we are unable to breathe well which may lead to several respiratory tract infections.
Another advantage of a compliant generator is that we become good and mindful citizens of the world since we aim to care for the well being of the environment. Following the CARB regulations simply shows that we truly care.
With regards to the disadvantages of a compliant generator, I can only think of one. Since it is not fully free from emissions, we may not know whether we have actually inhaled a certain amount of combusted fuel inside our body system that can lead to respiratory illnesses. This is why it is always best to store the generator away from our main rooms as a precaution.
Keeping the generator in a well-proofed storage room can help minimize the effects of its hazardous emissions. It is wise to always remind children to stay away from the storage room of the generator since it can still be harmful even if it is compliant with CARB.
Health and safety always come first. CARB has definitely proven that they keep these two important things in mind. Cleaner and fresher air will help all of us to stay healthier and prevent further damage to the environment.
Generators are not the only power equipment engines that need to be compliant with CARB, any engine that combusts fuel needs to be compliant with CARB in order to deliver fresh air. Air pollution is just one of the current environmental issues that need to be solved. Starting from small power equipment, the goal of CARB may come into realization in the near future. If everyone would be compliant and responsible, the environment would be in better shape.
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