From the dizzying array of choices one is presented with when beginning a search for the proper emergency residential generator to suit your needs. However, if one is new to the practice of managing their electrical power generation, the choices might not even make sense. There are few features that can make the use of a standby generator far more safe, efficient and pleasant. And since they all cost money, it's good to have a feel for just how important each of these features is to you.
Though it seems like a very simple thing, the inclusion of wheels on the portable generator chassis can save you from a life-long injury. Even relatively small farm or residential generators can weigh more than most people should or could lift, unassisted. This might be the least expensive upgrade you can look for in a system, but it could ultimately save you more money in any other given the high cost of health care.
Another simple adaptation is a large fuel tank. Many small, portable generators have inadequate tanks some as small as 5 or 10 gallons. Safe filling procedures require at least a few minutes to cool off before they can be safely filled, since the surfaces of residential-sized generators often get hot enough to actually ignite petroleum vapours. Obviously, that would be a problem.
Because of this gap in run time, it's nice to not have to fill them every few hours. A 30 gallon tank means the average standby generator only needs to be filled every day or so. Many petrol tanks are 300-600 gallons. If you have a heating system that uses the same fuel, you could combine the storage facilities, and it's something to consider when considering purchasing a diesel or gasoline generator versus LP/propane generators.
This does, of course, presuppose you have 30 gallons of fuel lying about. If you don't, you should. It is never a bad idea to have fuel in storage, on site, though it does no good for anything other than as a pyro-accelerant or industrial solvent if not properly stored for more than 30 days. After a month, any fuel should be considered suspect unless preservation methods have been employed.
As such, your fuel shoud be well-contained: not liable to be blown up by anything or evaporate into varnish. Also, it should be protected from getting water (or, more precisely, water vapour) in it. Unless you're storing your fuel in a desert cave, there will be temperature fluctuations that can cause water to condense on the sides of the tank and cause poor performance in this "distilled" state.
Because backup or standby generators are often quite noisy, most urban and suburban areas have laws and ordinances that ban the use of generators. However, in the case of portable generators in an emergency, your neighbours aren't likely to mind if you're generous with charging batteries for flash lights and otherwise sharing your power when everyone is out.
Regardless, residential generators can be found that are not nearly as loud as many of the less expensive types by looking for some characteristic engine types and styles. Often times noise is the result of something that is causing friction or some other type of loss in the system, so quiet engines are often more fuel efficient, though sometimes a bit choked.
Overhead valve type residential generators also have the advantage of being relatively quiet to operate. Whether diesel, gasoline or propane / LP, generator designs that include this more direct type of valve action are more reliable. They are more resistant to friction damage and rarely "throw a rod" or suffer from nearly the same incidence of poor valve fit than older types of internal combustion residential generators.
Automatic idle control keeps the engine from running at top speed when it's not necessary. This graduated type of throttling automatically ratchets the available residential generator power down while allowing the You can also expect relatively quiet operation during these low power events, though the performance when they're pushed to maximum is no quieter than a similarly equipped residential generator without an automatic idle control.
Of course, the main advantage of idle control is the greater fuel economy it affords. This savings can be quite dramatic in the case of a well designed residential generator system with enough headroom to handle just about any contingency.
Another very handy feature is an automatic switch that shuts down any standby generator when the level of engine oil is too low to ensure proper lubrication. Such a calamity is far more likely to happen with a residential generator (as opposed to the family automobile) since you're not right next to it to hear when odd noises start. An engine that is not observed and maintained can seize up and cause severe engine damage.
Many of manufacturers employ such features in their designs, including most of the big names such as Winco, Gillette and Parmac. Once you've decided how much power and what the requirements of your site are, the rest is what impacts how you'll actually use the device. If you'll only be using a standby generator once every 20 years, some minor inconveniences are just that whereas some are extremely burdensome. Knowing what your options are will allow you to make the best choice to avoid trouble later.
