Almost everything in our civilization is electrically powered: lighting, entertainment, communication, security, heating/cooling, cooking, food refrigeration, finance, medical facilities, etc. Since we rely on electricity, we can’t live without it.
But every year, millions of households and businesses are affected by power outages, from just a few seconds, requiring the resetting of digital clocks, to outages that last for days or weeks. Most often, these power outages result from inclement weather, which means that the power goes out at the worst possible time—hurricanes, heat waves, windstorms, and ice storms all create an uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous home environment.
Stocking up on flashlights, battery-powered fans, candles, and extra blankets can help you get through the minor inconveniences of a power outage. But to be really prepared, well, that’s the job of a generator.
A generator can be a lifesaver, but it’s also a significant expense, costing anywhere from a few hundred dollars to many thousands.
Necessity or Convenience
The bottom line is prioritizing needs over convenience. Lights, heat, air conditioning, and the use of large appliances are simply conveniences in most households. In Hurricane Country, years after Hurricane Harvey or Hurricane Laura, people tell tales of going without power for two weeks, three weeks, and much longer. Yet they managed to cook meals, do laundry, and keep the kids entertained without television and the internet—and all survived!However, for some people, a generator is a necessity. One home generator installer in the Houston area told me that nearly all of his customers have health issues requiring an uninterrupted power supply, no matter what. Oxygen machines, CPAP machines, and home medical equipment all rely on electricity. A generator helps ensure the health and welfare of vulnerable individuals. This group includes babies, toddlers, pregnant women, and the elderly, all of whom can quickly become overheated or dangerously cold in extreme temperatures. If you or someone in your household is in any of these categories, adding a generator at some point is a must.
It’s Not for Everyone
Buying a generator for most people is a gamble. Considering the initial cost of a generator, and then adding to that number the cost of fuel and maintenance, it might not be a smart purchase for you, creature comforts and convenience aside.How often does your neighborhood experience power outages? Some locations are especially prone to this, even in mild weather. Here in southeast Texas, where I live, the chances of long-term power outages are pretty high, making the purchase of a generator of any type more of a necessity than a convenience. When I lived in Phoenix, however, we rarely had even the tiniest blips. If power outages rarely happen and you live in an area that seldom experiences the types of weather and natural disasters that typically take down power lines, transformers, and the like, a generator may not be necessary.
3 Generator Types to Know
If you have decided to buy, you’ll need to know which type of generator best suits you and your needs.A portable generator is within the price range of most people. These are fueled by gasoline, diesel, natural gas, propane, or a combination. Multi-fuel generators are a smart choice since you have a choice of which type of fuel to stock up on. Common brand names of these generators are Honda, Generac, DeWalt, Ryobi, and Westinghouse. Besides the possibility of running on more than one fuel type, a portable generator is handy for its portability. Depending on its size and weight, it can help charge lights and appliances in the home and then be carried off to a campsite as a portable energy supply. Expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2,000 or more, and be prepared to safely store fuel and take care of basic maintenance.
Solar generators have the advantage of being completely silent. They aren’t true generators, but rather energy-storage units. They can be charged from an electric outlet or by using solar panels. It can take many hours to completely charge one, depending on the size and type. In a power outage and on a cloudy day, you wouldn’t be able to use an alternative fuel as you would with a portable generator. However, their silence and the fact that they don’t emit dangerous fumes are significant advantages. You'll find instructions online for DIY solar generators that may be cheaper than buying from a vendor. These are generally pricey, in the range of $2,000 to $20,000 and up.
The final type of generator is the home generator. This purchase is a no-brainer if you have the money and your home allows for the correct placement of this very large unit. The moment your power goes out, within just three or four seconds, the home generator kicks in, and you barely notice that gap. Koehler, Generac, and Cummins are three of the largest brands in the United States. Although installing one is a complicated matter that might include HOA approval, city or county permits, and multiple trades, from an electrician to a plumber and landscape restoration, most people never regret this purchase.
Starting at around $15,000 or so, and adding in the cost of annual maintenance of several hundred dollars, you will always have a reliable power source.
Before diving into that savings account or whipping out a credit card, decide first if you need a generator and which type and size will fit your family’s needs.
