4 Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Generator

March 14, 2022 –

On any given day, there are thousands of homeowners who suddenly find themselves without power. A backup generator can save you a lot of stress and frustration if you find yourself or your family without power for even a short amount of time especially during severe weather. However, not all generators are created equal and it’s a good idea to take some time to figure out which generator is right for your needs. Here are 4 things you need to know before you purchase a backup generator.

When it comes to a true backup generator most people think of the portable one that has wheels and is not directly connected to your home’s electrical system. If you need the generator simply for the important appliances such as your refrigerator and furnace, as well as a few extras such as lights and television, then a generator that supplies about 5,500 watts should be just the right size.

It won’t be able to run your entire home’s AC unit and water heater simultaneously but it will get you through a temporary power outage without too much of a hassle. A good quality 5,500-watt generator can be purchased for about $700 which is an excellent investment in case of a power outage in your area.

When it comes to ease of use, propane beats natural gas in a landslide. With gasoline, you’ll need to be sure to have several five-gallon containers on hand at all times and in a safe location. You’ll have to be sure that the gasoline remains stable (by adding a stabilizer) and you’ll have to replace the gas every few months. This type of maintenance can end up costing you more than the generator is worth in case of an emergency.

With propane, however, virtually all of these problems are eliminated. You can store liquid propane indefinitely without worrying about it going bad. It’s simple and safe to refuel. All you have to do is replace the empty tank with a full one and you don’t have to worry about your generator becoming damaged due to old gasoline.

Purchasing anything online these days can often save you thousands of dollars. However, when it comes to generators the savings won’t be worth anything if your generator can’t be serviced locally. Do some research on local dealers in the area and if you can find a comparable product online great!

If not, however, it makes much more sense to spend a little extra to purchase it locally to save you the hassle of having nowhere to service your generator.

One of the main issues with portable generators is the volume and noise that is often present and can be a nuisance to you and your neighbors. Standby generators tend to be much quieter and if you’re willing to shell out quite a bit of extra cash you can find an extra-quiet portable generator.

However, if you’re looking for something to help you get by on the occasional power outage, spending the money for a quieter generator can be cost-prohibitive. It all depends on your own preference and the type of neighborhood you live in, particularly if you have neighbors in close proximity to your property. In this case, it may be worth investing in a quiet generator.

Generators are an excellent investment for any home owner. Even if you only have one power outage over the course of owning your home the generator will pay for itself in saving the food in your refrigerator and allowing you to charge your important electronics.

However, with so many options out there, purchasing a generator can end up costing you more than it’s worth. Be sure to follow these 4 tips to ensure that you’re purchasing the best possible generator for your needs.

Paraco is ready to help fuel your home when you really need it. Be sure to get in touch to get started.

17 Comments

  1. Kathleen DaRos on November 27, 2019 at 10:24 am

    I’m interested in more info.

    • Isousa on November 27, 2019 at 3:18 pm

      Hi Kathleen! One of our Customer Service Associates will help you with any questions you might have, please reach out to them by calling 1-800-647-4427 or by email at contactus@paracogas.com

  2. AC Patel on November 27, 2019 at 10:59 am

    Hi your company install Generator? If yes I would like to setup appointment and get price

    • Isousa on November 27, 2019 at 3:25 pm

      Hi AC Patel! Paraco is a propane supplier company, we don’t install/sell generators. If you have any questions about propane, our Customer Service Associates will happily help you – you can reach out to them by calling 1-800-647-4427 or by email at contactus@paracogas.com

  3. Derek McDoogle on February 18, 2020 at 4:57 pm

    My dad told me that one of his houses is located in an area where power outages are very common. I like how you said to check locally for a place where you can buy a generator and they also offer maintenance. I will share this article with him so that he can do some research.

  4. Jenna Hunter on March 12, 2020 at 4:35 pm

    Thanks for explaining about how refrigerators, appliances, and furnaces can be run by a 5,500-watt generator. My dad is thinking about getting a generator so that he can be prepared in the case of a power outage. He would really like to get an electrical generator from a professional.

  5. Derek McDoogle on May 1, 2020 at 12:29 pm

    My dad has a home that is located near a lake but he has many problems with it having energy. I like how you explain that it is important to have a backup. I will start looking for a home generator case we need it.

  6. Alicia Byrne on May 17, 2020 at 12:31 am

    I think you made a great point here about finding a local generator service provider so that I don’t have to worry about maintenance issues in the future. My husband is thinking of having a standby generator installed in my house since blackouts happen every now and then in my area when there’s a heavy storm. I will talk to him about finding a service provider locally so that we can be sure we have someone professional to help us service our generator in the future.

  7. East Auckland Electrician on July 16, 2020 at 1:01 am

    Inverters are a good option if you do not run too many appliances in your house but if you use ACs and refrigerator and other heavy appliances then you need a generator that meets your requirements. Thanks for these good generator options!!

  8. Electrician Blockhouse Bay on October 1, 2020 at 6:26 am

    This is a great article and you are banged on with your points about 4 things you need to know before buying a generator. Be clear about what you really need and want to accomplish at this point you are right with this point.

  9. Ross Ruecker on October 6, 2020 at 7:58 am

    I am looking for a 7000-10000 watt generator, should I buy a normal generator or stand up generator? Which is quieter at 50% load?

    • Isousa on October 7, 2020 at 7:36 am

      Hi Ross! Both types have similar size engines and produce similar noise levels between 55-65db. The bigger factor in noise levels are choices between manufacturers for that size generator. Certain manufacturers produce quieter units than others and dB specs are listed on their website.

  10. Charlotte Fleet on January 4, 2021 at 8:27 pm

    My dad wants to install a new generator for our home. I appreciate you mentioning that it is important to find an accessible dealer to save you a lot of money on services. I will be sure to recommend that my dad find a reputable service that can easily install the new generator.

  11. Chris Pederson on January 6, 2021 at 4:47 pm

    I like how you said that propane beats gas when it comes to how easy it is to use. A lot of people are overlooking this and assuming propane is worse. I’ll share this article with them and hopefully change their minds.

  12. Electrician North Shore on January 10, 2021 at 11:07 am

    It’s a great source of knowledge; I think it will be helpful for lot of people who are looking for learning more about 4 things you need to know before buying a generator. Thank you very much for sharing this article.

  13. emma olivia on January 16, 2021 at 1:55 pm

    This guide has helped me a lot in making my decision thanks a lot

  14. Electrician Dunedin on April 7, 2021 at 4:20 am

    Wonderful information about 4 things you need to know before buying a generator, thanks a lot for sharing kind of content with us. Your blog gives the best and the most interesting information. I wonder if we can gather such practical information about it, a great post definitely to come across.

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