How it Works
Home backup Generators provide
the power you need when utility power is lost. There are both stationary and
portable generators available. Smaller generators tend to use gasoline or
propane for fuel and are generally equipped with outlets to power various
electrical items. They can also be connected to the electrical service of a
home through a transfer switch or interlock kit. Stationary generators are
larger units that are fueled by propane, natural gas, or gasoline. These
heavy-duty generators are permanently wired into a home’s electrical system and
may be equipped with a detached fuel tank.
What can Go Wrong?
Backup generators sometimes
suffer engine damage from poor fuel quality, low coolant or low oil level. An
improper electrical connection or overloading of the unit can also damage the
generator. Stationary units can also experience wiring or component damage from
small animals and rodents nesting. Rain, dirt, or brush entering the
weathertight enclosure can cause mechanical and electrical issues with
stationary generators.
Size and Carbon Footprint
Generators are rated in watts or
kilowatts which represent the amount of electrical power they deliver. One
kilowatt (kW) = 1,000 watts (W). Portable units that are used to supply a
limited number of household loads in an emergency are typically rated at 5,000
W or less. Stationary units, which are intended to power the whole house for
extended periods, are often rated at 10,000 W or more. For each gallon of gasoline
burned in the generator, 20 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) are
produced.