In last week’s article I touched on why the kind of generator you use during a power outage matters.
Today’s article continues in the same vein, bringing to light a few more important considerations when considering a generator for emergency power.
Comparing and contrasting an inverter vs non-inverter generator, generally speaking the following is true:
Inverter Generator Characteristics:
Produce cleaner electricity
Are quieter (the engine can run at varying speeds, so being quieter is particularly true when an inverter generator is only needed for a small amount of power)
Are smaller
Are lighter (this obviously depends on size, but is important to consider)
Consume less fuel (again this goes back to the varying engine speed: less load = slower engine = less fuel used)
Increased longevity (thanks again to the variable engine speed)
Two or more compatible generators may be “parallel” capable, i.e. they can be “paired” to produce twice the power
Non-Inverter Generator Characteristics:
Are less expensive
Have fewer components (fewer things to break and generally simpler repairs)
Generally produce more power than a similar sized inverter generator
You’ll notice I didn’t label the lists “pros” and “cons” - some “pros” may be “cons” in certain cases.
For example, if you’re using a generator during a widespread emergency a quieter inverter generator might be nice - having a constant loud noise could annoy you (or your neighbors) while also broadcasting to others that you have an expensive generator sitting outside.
On the other hand, if you need to worry about someone potentially stealing your unattended generator, a lighter/smaller inverter generator is a lot easier to quickly pick up and walk off with than a couple-hundred-pound non-inverter generator.
Whatever you end up choosing, it’s important to note a few things about most generators:
The advertised wattage is usually the peak “surge” wattage. Some electric devices, like an air conditioner, use a significantly higher amount of power for a short period of time as they start up - this is the “surge” wattage. The actual running wattage of the generator will be less than the surge wattage, and it’s this number that represents the load the generator can sustain over a period of time.
The generator will produce less power than the advertised wattage under non-ideal conditions. For example, the manual of a popular inverter generator states that a 3.5% loss can be expected for each 1000 feet above sea level, and an additional 1% loss can be expected for every 10 degrees (F) above or below 60 degree (F). So, a 5000 running watt generator operating at 5000 feet in 90 degree (F) weather would only be capable of producing approximately 4000 running watts.
Generally if the generator has a “120/240 volt” selector, it will only be capable of producing either 120 or 240 volts at a given time across all outlets (and switching between the two voltages would require powering the generator down first).
Most importantly, note that fuel-powered generators produce carbon monoxide, a deadly colorless, odorless gas - always operate generators outdoors in well ventilated areas.
And one final consideration: a fuel-powered generator isn’t your only choice when it comes to emergency power.
“Solar” or “electric” generators exist and can fill many of the same needs, but exist in a class of their own (in my opinion).
They’re a topic for another day, but just know that these generators are essentially a battery that can be charged in one of many ways, solar panels being one of them.
That’s all for today.