With hurricane season in full swing, all Floridians should be taking stock of their emergency supplies. All it takes is one natural disaster occurrence for underprepared homeowners to curse their lack of foresight. Whether you are scrambling to make sure you don’t fall into another poorly planned hurricane season or are just trying to preemptively protect yourself and your family, learning about generators and their installation is a great idea.
The first thing you want to consider when researching generators is what type you want. There are two main types of generators: portable and stationary. The main determinant of which of these generators you purchase is what your needs are. Portable generators are generally cheaper but need to be rolled outside to set up and require you to individually connect all the things you want powered. Alternatively, stationary systems are more expensive and require professional installation, but they switch on automatically when the power is cut and can often power whole rooms. Stationary systems also perform self-maintenance checks and will notify you when to service it. If you do not expect much use out of the generator, only plan to power a few appliances, or do not mind the generator set up, then a portable system is the way to go. If you have a need to power entire rooms or would rather avoid setting up a generator in the moment, a stationary system will be in your best interest.
If you have chosen a stationary system, you will need to research what size you need and find a professional to install it for you. This is where the line ends for you. If you feel a portable system would be a better fit for your needs, there are still a few more things to learn about generators before embarking on your journey.
Typically, generators are sized in watts, so the power output (wattage) is more important than the physical dimensions. When deciding what wattage works best for your home, you will have to determine the wattage of the appliances you want to run. Appliances have two wattages: a starting wattage and a running wattage. It is especially important to note the starting wattage. This number is often two or three times higher than the running wattage because appliances require more power to start up than to keep running. You will want to add up all the starting wattages on the appliances you plan to run and then pick a generator that is a bit above that number. This will ensure you are able to power all those appliances with some output to spare. For some appliances such as a central A/C unit, it may be hard to determine wattage. As always, having a professional electrician come out and give you a more accurate reading of your wattage needs will ensure that, come disaster day, you are set with a generator that will keep you feeling comfortable.
Once you have picked a generator that fits your needs, you will need to learn how to set it up so that you are prepared for when you need it in a pinch. When you are dealing with a portable generator, there are two main ways to connect your appliances to the power source. The first option is to use a transfer switch. This is a device that is installed next to the electrical panel in your home and allows you to power on appliances through your circuit board by automatically switching the power source to the generator. This typically requires installation by an electrician. Another option is to use an interlock device; while it should still be installed by an electrician, it is a cheaper alternative to a transfer switch and still allows a safe alternative to direct connection. The interlock device mounts onto your electrical panel and manually prevents utility and generator breakers from switching on at the same time.
If you are looking for an even cheaper alternative, you can always connect appliances to your generator using heavy duty extension cords. This method costs only as much as you want to sink into the cords you buy. A downfall of this method is that you might have to run many cords through your home out to the generator, and you will not be able to connect central circuit appliances such as an A/C system.
Determining what kind of generator to buy and how to connect it is quite the task, but these are not the only factors to consider. Once you have made these decisions, it is important you learn how to store and maintain your new investment. As previously mentioned, stationary systems do regular maintenance checks and do not require special storage because they are in fixed positions. For portable systems, however, you will need to find a place to store your generator while it is not in use. While it is necessary to operate the generator outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, it is suggested you store it in a dry and easily accessible location like a garage when the machine is not in use. Many generators also have coverings you can purchase so that dust and dirt cannot reach the generator while it is stored.
Because generators are typically only used a few times a year, it is important to note how to maintain your generator for long term storage. After each use, you will want to clean off any debris that may have accumulated. Let the generator cool down, and be sure to siphon any gas left in the tank. If there is not enough gas to siphon, just add gas stabilizer to the fuel and burn it off through use until the tank is empty. If your generator uses a battery, make sure to recharge it after use so that it is ready to go the next time you need to use it. Keep a detailed account of how long your generator runs during each use. This will be helpful when determining when to complete different maintenance tasks such as changing oil or replacing filters. Lastly, if your generator has been in storage for quite some time, you will want to make sure to run it occasionally to ensure all the parts are lubricated and in working order in case you need to use it.
Buying a generator may seem like quite the investment, but for many the cost doesn’t overshadow the benefits of comfort and safety a generator provides. Once you have determined what type of generator you need and the appropriate size, you will want to either find an electrician to perform the necessary installation work or purchase the appropriate number of extension cords for your appliances. Generator set up can seem quite daunting, but armed with all your newly learned knowledge of generators, you and your family are sure to be prepared this hurricane season. 
Katerin Rodriguez
Home & Yard Magazine
