Home Generators 101

Ever since the uneasiness that led up to Y2K, home generators have become a popular addition for many homeowners. For those who work from a home office or have special health concerns, losing power can have serious consequences. For others, the security that a generator provides is simply worth the cost.

Portable vs. Permanent
The first decision you'll need to make when choosing a generator is whether you want a portable or permanent unit. Portable generators are sufficient if your main concern is riding out a short power outage. They run on gas or propane, are very reasonably priced, and can be tucked away into a corner of the garage when they're not being used. They are not a suitable solution for dealing with extended power outages, however, or if you need continuous power to your entire home. In that case, you'll definitely want to purchase a permanent residential stand-by generator.

You'll Never Be Without Power Again!
Besides providing superior power, permanent generators are completely hands-off once they've been installed. They run on propane or natural gas, and are wired with an automatic transfer switch that determines immediately if you've lost power. Thanks to that technology, the longest you'll be without power is the ten to thirty seconds that pass between the lights going out and your new generator automatically kicking on.

Generator Installation Tips and Guidelines
If you're ready to undertake a permanent generator installation project, there's several things you'll need to consider as you get going.