Top 5 things to know when buying a home generator

Top 5 things to know when buying a home generator
The winter is almost upon us, and it looks like it’s going to be an unusually brutal one according to the forecasts. This means you should do all you can to protect yourself and your family during a storm that features a power outage. When you invest in a home generator, you can rest easy knowing you’ll have plenty of heat, your food won’t spoil, you’ll have light to function normally and you may even have extra power to do some laundry or cooking. There are many models and types to consider, from basic models to those with all the latest bells and whistles. Check out the five things you should know when purchasing this type of equipment.

1. Keep in mind how much work you want to do to get your generator going, particularly the easy operation of a standby generator vs. a portable one. Standby generators start up immediately when a power interruption is detected, which means you don’t have to do anything extra to get it going. You may think the price difference is pretty large between this type and a portable one, but it’s really not. Central Jersey Pools sells and installs a variety of standby generators that give you peace of mind thanks to their quiet operation. They don’t even require the use of bulky extension cords and transfer switches.
2. Enlist a qualified professional in your city or town who has a reputation for excellence when it comes to servicing your generator. You may find it relatively easy for a company to install your generator, but what about continued service and maintenance? You need someone you can trust for that, preferably a local dealer who has expertise in working on generators of all kinds as well as someone who has access to the parts you will inevitably need.
3. Don’t forget to do your due diligence during the process. Want a generator that handles just the basics, such as heat and lights? Go with a smaller machine with less horsepower and lower cost. Do you need something that can power everything in your home, from lights and heat to appliances and water? You’re best off going with a premium whole house generator with the horsepower you crave. For the most accurate horsepower to sustain your family, simply calculate the wattage of all the lights, motors and appliances at home that you wish to keep running. Rely on your generator installation professional to help you determine the correct size.
4. Figure out how large of a generator you want. You’ll need to consider where you will store it and how easy it is to use. Remember, you’ll have to get it going regularly to ensure it’s working the way it should. You’ll also need to perform routine maintenance. The last thing you want is to be caught in a power outage with a generator that doesn’t work. Consider whether you want a simple system or a maximum backup power system, making sure you know how to use it when the time comes.
5. Take into account the cost of your home appliances before going with a cheap model. The “dirty power” emitted by cheap generators can harm modern state-of-the-art electronics and appliances, especially entertainment centers. To preserve your appliance and electronic investment, choose the cleanest, most efficient power possible.