Abacus Austin / Alan's Blog

April 29, 2024
By Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical
Posted In: House Generators

In Austin, where sudden thunderstorms and the occasional hurricane can jump out of nowhere, the value of being prepared cannot be overstated. One crucial aspect of this preparedness is ensuring your home has a reliable emergency generator. Power outages, often triggered by severe weather, can disrupt daily life and pose safety risks. However, with the right emergency generator, residents can maintain comfort and essential home functions during these interruptions. 

This guide aims to help you select an emergency generator that perfectly matches your household’s needs, ensuring that you remain powered when the grid goes down. Whether you’re looking to power a few essentials or maintain normalcy throughout your home, understanding your options can help bring peace of mind in turbulent times.

Assessing Your Needs

When choosing an emergency generator for your Austin home, the first step is assessing your needs. Understanding what you expect from a generator during a power outage will guide you in selecting the right size and type. Here's how you can begin:

Power Requirements

• List Essential Appliances: List the essential appliances and systems you cannot do without during a power outage. Everyday essentials include the refrigerator, HVAC system, lighting, and medical equipment.

• Calculate Total Wattage: Each appliance has a wattage rating, usually found on a label on the device. Add up the wattage of all essential items to determine the total power your generator needs to produce. Remember to account for starting watts (the extra power needed to start appliances with motors) versus running watts (the power needed to keep appliances running).

Duration of Use

• Typical Outage Duration: Consider how long power outages usually last in Austin. While some outages are short, others caused by major storms might last for several days.

• Fuel Capacity and Consumption: Based on the duration, consider how much fuel your generator will need to run continuously. This will help you understand the operational costs and logistics of refueling during prolonged outages.

By evaluating your power requirements and the expected duration of use, you can better determine the generator size that best fits your needs. This assessment prevents you from overspending on an overly powerful unit or underestimating your needs, which could leave you with less power during critical times. 

Types of Emergency Generators

Once you've assessed your power needs and estimated how long you'll need your generator to operate, it's time to consider the different types of generators available. Each type has unique features and benefits, making it suited for different scenarios. 

Standby Generators

• Benefits: Standby generators offer a higher power output and can automatically start and transfer power when an outage is detected. This type provides a seamless power transition and can handle larger loads to cover the entire home.

• Limitations: They are more expensive to purchase and install and require a significant amount of space for installation.

Inverter Generators

• Benefits: Inverter generators provide efficient power with less noise than traditional generators. They adjust their speed to the load required, conserving fuel and reducing wear.

• Limitations: They are generally more expensive than portable models and offer less power than standby generators.

Portable Generators

• Benefits: Portable generators are the most cost-effective option and are easy to store and move, making them ideal for smaller homes or those who need to power only a few essentials.

• Limitations: They typically offer lower power output than other types and require manual start-up and refueling, which may not be convenient during inclement weather.

Each type of generator serves a specific purpose based on the needs and budget of the homeowner. By understanding the features of portable, standby, and inverter generators, Austin homeowners can make an informed decision that balances cost, convenience, and coverage during power outages. 

Fuel Options

Choosing the right fuel type for your emergency generator is crucial for ensuring convenience, efficiency, and safety. Each fuel type has pros and cons, which can affect your generator's performance and ease of use. Here are the most common fuel options available for generators, along with their key characteristics:

Gasoline

Gasoline is a popular fuel choice for many portable generator owners due to its wide availability and ease of procurement. However, it has a shorter shelf life than other fuels. It requires careful storage to prevent degradation and ensure safety, as it is highly flammable. Additionally, while gasoline is generally convenient, its price can be volatile. It may spike or become scarce during widespread power outages when demand increases dramatically. These factors make it essential to consider both the benefits and limitations of using gasoline as a fuel source for emergency generators.

Diesel

Diesel engines are renowned for their durability and efficiency, offering more power per gallon of fuel than gasoline engines. Diesel also boasts a longer shelf life and is less flammable, enhancing its safety for storage. However, diesel generators tend to be noisier and emit more fumes, necessitating careful consideration of their placement and adequate ventilation. These factors highlight the importance of balancing diesel's efficiency and safety benefits with its operational and environmental challenges.

Propane

Propane is an environmentally friendly option for backup generators. It burns cleaner than gasoline or diesel and produces fewer emissions, resulting in a smaller carbon footprint. Its ability to be stored indefinitely makes it a superb choice for emergency preparedness. However, propane tanks need proper installation and adequate space. Despite its clean-burning properties, propane typically delivers less power per gallon than diesel and gasoline, requiring users to weigh its environmental benefits against its energy output.

Natural Gas

Natural gas generators offer convenience, especially if your home is connected to a natural gas line, providing an uninterrupted fuel supply. However, the reliability of this type of backup generator is tied to the integrity of local gas lines, which can be compromised during severe natural disasters. Additionally, professional installation is crucial, and it is important to verify that your home's existing natural gas system can accommodate the additional load imposed by the generator. These considerations are vital for ensuring a natural gas generator's effective and safe operation.

Choosing the right fuel type will depend on your specific needs, the availability of the fuel during emergencies, storage capabilities, and environmental considerations. 

Features to Consider

Selecting the right emergency generator involves more than just choosing a type and fuel source; it's also about the features that enhance functionality, safety, and convenience. Here are several critical features to consider when purchasing a generator for your Austin home:

Automatic Start

The automatic start feature on standby generators offers a critical advantage by enabling the unit to power up and provide electricity automatically whenever a power outage is detected, without manual intervention. This functionality is precious for maintaining essential household operations, such as seamlessly running medical devices, refrigeration units, and HVAC systems. It ensures that even without someone manually starting the generator, your home continues to function efficiently, safeguarding comfort and safety during unexpected power disruptions.

Transfer Switch

A manual transfer switch requires you to manually switch from utility to generator power and is generally less expensive, making it suitable for smaller or portable generators. On the other hand, an automatic transfer switch seamlessly switches your power source from the utility to the generator during an outage and back again when utility power is restored, providing essential, uninterrupted power for larger systems.

Noise Level

Backup Generators can often be noisy, posing a potential issue in residential settings. To mitigate this, consider opting for units with built-in noise reduction technologies or sound attenuation features. These adaptations help lower the noise levels significantly, enhancing comfort not just for the homeowner but also for the neighbors. This is particularly beneficial during extended power outages, where the prolonged operation of a generator could otherwise become a disturbance.

Portability

Portable generators and some compact inverter generator models are specifically designed for easy mobility and convenient storage when not in active use. This design feature significantly enhances their flexibility in positioning, which is particularly beneficial for homes with specific layout requirements. For instance, properties that need to place generators far from living areas to mitigate noise or address safety concerns will find this mobility an essential advantage. This flexibility allows homeowners to strategically position their generators to maximize safety and minimize disruption, ensuring a smoother operation during power outages.

Considering these features when choosing your emergency backup generator will ensure that the unit you select meets your power needs and seamlessly fits into your lifestyle and home environment. 

Powering Through: Ensuring Your Home's Energy Security

Choosing the right emergency backup generator for your Austin home is essential in ensuring your family's comfort and safety during unexpected power outages. By carefully assessing your power needs, understanding the different types of generators, selecting the appropriate fuel type, and considering key features and installation requirements, you can make an informed decision that best fits your lifestyle and home. 

We encourage you to reach out to us for personalized advice and expert installation services. With the proper preparation and a quality generator, you can face Austin's unpredictable weather with confidence and peace of mind.