In Louisiana, how to prepare for a power outage is crucial, and a reliable backup generator becomes essential. Severe weather can lead to an unexpected power outage, leaving many without essential services. While not all generators can power the entire home, they can provide supply power to critical appliances like the refrigerator and air conditioning until normal power is restored. When determining what type or size of generator you need, there are several factors to consider, including capacity and specific requirements. To ensure you’re well-prepared for potential power outages caused by Louisiana’s unpredictable weather, the expert team at Lombardi Electric guides you through the process of how to choose a generator.
Not only is Lombardi Electric the top electrical service company in Alexandria, LA, offering top-notch Alexandria residential electrical services, Alexandria commercial electrical services, and Alexandria industrial electrical services. Not only that, but we also offer the #1 selling brand of home standby generators: Generac generators. We’ve got you covered if you need to power your home during a power outage.
If you’re looking for home backup generators in Alexandria, LA, call 318-545-7575 to learn more about our selection of generators and how to choose the best standby generator for your home.
How Big of a Generator Do I Need: Choosing the Right Size Generator
Before making a home standby generator purchase, it’s crucial to assess your needs and do some math to choose the correct generator size. These factors will help you narrow your options and make an informed decision.
How Many Watts to Run a House Generator
One of the primary considerations when choosing a generator is wattage. Wattage refers to the amount of power a generator can produce, and it determines what household appliances and devices you can run during power outages.
To determine how many watts you need, consider the following:
1. Identify Essential Appliances: List the essential appliances and devices you want to power during an outage. Include items like refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioning units, sump pumps, power tools, light bulbs, medical equipment, a space heater or water heater, and other important electronics.
2. Calculate Total Wattage: Determine the wattage requirement for each appliance and add them up to find the total wattage you need. Keep in mind that some appliances have both starting and running wattage requirements.
3. Consider How Much Startup Power You’ll Need: Certain appliances, like refrigerators and air conditioners, have higher requirements than their running wattage. You’ll need a generator to handle these power requirements, especially during power outages.
To determine the exact wattage you’ll need for power outages, add up your total running watts and highest starting watts. The result will help you choose the correct size generator for your energy needs.
How to Find the Best Gas Generator for House by Fuel Type
Generators are available in various fuel types, each with its advantages and disadvantages. Common fuel options include gasoline, propane, natural gas, and diesel. You’ll want to remember the generator size you need and why you need a generator: for annual camping trips or frequent power outages.
Consider the following when choosing a fuel type:
1. Availability: Ensure the chosen fuel type is readily available in your area, especially during emergencies.
2. Storage: Consider how and where you will store the fuel. Some fuels, like propane, require special storage considerations.
3. Longevity: Diesel generators are known for how fuel-efficient and durable they are, making them suitable for long-term power needs.
What Size Generator Do I Need: Choosing a Generator by Generator Size
The physical size of the generator is an important factor, especially if you have limited space. Determine where you plan to install the generator and measure the available space.
Selecting the right size generator is critical. If your generator is too small, it must provide more power than it can realistically manage. If this happens, if it has an automatic shutoff, it will shut down. If not, it will overheat. This can fry both the generator and your equipment.
Choose the generator that fits comfortably within that space while allowing for proper ventilation and maintenance access.
What Type of Generator Do I Need?
Generators come in different types, each designed for specific purposes and usage scenarios. Some of these generators can be connected to your home’s circuit breaker panel in order to power the whole house, while others can only serve as an energy source for a few sensitive electronics.
The most common types of generators on the market are inverter generators, portable generators, standby generators, and towable diesel generators.
Inverter Generators
Inverter generators work differently than other types of home generators. Instead of running at a constant speed, an inverter generator automatically adjusts to meet the electrical demands. Inverter generators are known for their quiet operation, fuel efficiency, and clean power output. An inverter generator is ideal for recreational use, camping, and powering a space heater or battery-operated electronics, like laptops or cell phones.
Power can be stored inside this type of generator, regardless of whether you get a small or large inverter generator.
Portable Generator or Backup Generator
Portable generators are versatile and can be moved easily to different locations. These are typically small generators that are suitable for temporary power needs, such as to provide backup power during camping trips or small-scale backup power at home.
If you’re looking for a whole-house generator, even a large portable generator may not be able to provide enough backup power to get the job done. Portable generators can usually provide backup power to a couple of home appliances at one time during a power outage.
Standby Generators or Whole House Generator
A standby generator, also called a whole house generator, like our Generac generator, is permanently installed and automatically switches on when a power outage occurs. A standby generator or whole-house generator connects to your home’s circuit breaker panel to provide power to your home during power outages.
A whole-house generator is a reliable choice for homeowners and businesses that require continuous power supply. Most whole-house generators provide enough energy to power an entire house. They’ll supply power to your refrigerator, water heater, washing machines, air conditioning units, etc.
Working with a reputable generator installation company can ensure you get the right size generator to power your entire home.
Gas and Natural Gas Generators
Gasoline generators are the most common type of generators and are great options for low-powered appliances. While a gas generator is the least expensive, the cost of gas is more expensive than other fuels. Storing gas in an airtight container is only stable for six months, but stabilized gasoline is safe to use for up to three years.
Towable Diesel Generator
Towable diesel generators are designed for heavy-duty applications and are often used in construction sites or events that require substantial power. Due to size and price, towable diesel generators provide a lot of power but are not ideal for whole-house generators.
Choosing a Home Generator by Noise Level
Noise level is important, especially if you live in a residential area or value a quiet environment. Large inverter generators are known for their low noise emissions, making them a great choice for situations where noise is a concern. Additionally, standby generators can be quieter due to their permanent installation and soundproofing.
A portable generator tends to be louder than a large inverter generator, while a towable diesel generator tends to be the loudest.
How to Determine How Much Generator Power You Need for Your Home During a Power Outage
Now that you understand the key factors to consider when choosing a generator, it’s time to determine how much electricity you need to power your whole house (or just a few household appliances). If you don’t know how to tell what appliances are using the most electricity, you can use a home energy monitor or consult with a professional electrician to identify high-energy-consuming devices in your household.
This means you have to do some math to calculate the wattage requirements of your home and appliances.
Starting Wattage vs. Running Wattage vs. Surge Wattage
To calculate how much power you need, it’s essential to understand the difference between the three power types:
Starting Wattage: Starting watts are the initial burst of power required to start certain appliances like refrigerators or air conditioners during power outages. Motor-driven generators typically need more power to start up.
Running Wattage: Running watts refers to the continuous power needed to keep an appliance or device running once it’s started.
Surge Wattage: Finally, surge watts refer to the highest power demand an appliance can reach during operation. It’s a critical factor when sizing a generator to ensure it can handle these occasional spikes in power.
How Do You Calculate Generator Sizing?
To calculate the right size generator for your home, follow these steps:
1. List the Appliances You Need: List the appliances and devices you want to power during an outage. For example, most people are content with just their air conditioning unit and their refrigerators running until the power comes back on.
2. Determine Starting Wattage: This information is often available in the appliance’s user manual or label.
3. Calculate Running Wattage: To determine this, use the equation: WATTS=VOLTS X AMPS.
4. Add Up the Wattage: Sum up the starting watts and running watts for all appliances to find the total wattage requirement.
5. Account for Surge Wattage: Consider the surge watts for appliances with high starting demands. This will help ensure that your generator can handle sudden power spikes.
6. Choose the Right Generator Size: Select a generator with a rated wattage that comfortably exceeds your calculated total wattage. This ensures that your generator can handle the load of your electrical systems without overloading.
At Lombardi Electric, we can accurately calculate the total wattage needed to run your home or your appliances for frequent or occasional outages. From there, we can help you choose the best home standby generator from our wide selection of Generac generators. Finally, we’ll install your new home standby generator and transfer switch and ensure it’s in optimal condition. We’ll show you how to use your whole house generator and transfer switch (if applicable).
That way, during the next power outage, you won’t have to do anything but sit back, relax, and let your Generac generator do all the work until power is restored.
Call Lombardi Electric Today
Choosing the right generator for your electrical needs is a crucial decision that requires careful consideration of various factors, including wattage, fuel type, physical size, and type of generator. Lombardi Electric is here to assist you in selecting the perfect generator in Alexandria, LA, that meets your specific requirements. Our team of experts is not only Alexandria’s top generator seller but also Alexandria’s top generator installer.
Don’t wait until the next power outage to pick the right generator or learn generator safety during power outages; call Lombardi Electric today at 318-545-7575 and ensure your peace of mind with a dependable backup power source.
