There are lots of different types of generators. How do we make sense of them? Well, typically, generators are grouped together by size or by how they are powered. I’ll explain both approaches below.
Classify Generators by Size
We can classify generators by size. That is, by the amount of power they output and their physical size. The more power a generator outputs, the bigger its dimensions (physical size) and the heavier it gets.
Portable Generators
Portable generators are exactly what they sound like: portable. Portable generators are small enough to take on a camping trip or store in your garage (without taking up much room) for home power outages. Anything in this category could be carried around by an able-bodied person or moved around relatively easily on wheels (which are typically sold with the unit).
Because of their smaller size, portable generators don’t produce enough electricity to power an entire house using all its standard appliances. But for charging phones on camping trips or powering electric tools, portable generators work perfectly. They are also a more affordable option.
Best for: Camping, RVs, Emergency home power use.
Standby Generators
Standby generators create enough electricity to power an entire home, from lights to air conditioning and more. In case of a power outage, standby generators can turn on automatically. These are the sort of generators you want when your goal is to be able to operate all your standard typical household appliances (more or less) in the case of an outage.
Because standby generators are built to provide large amounts of power, they are large machines—bigger than an air conditioning unit. They have a bigger price tag to match their larger size.
For those living in areas with hurricanes or storms that cause frequent power outages, or where the power supply is not reliable, standby generators may make sense.
Best for: Automatically powering an entire home in case of an outage.
Industrial Generators
Industrial generators operate much like a standard generator but they are bigger and more durable. These generators can produce massive amounts of power (up to two megawatts) and are made to withstand the weather. They can be so big that they need to be transported by crane or forklift.
Obviously these generators are expensive.
Best for: Powering industrial operations, hospitals, etc.
Classify Generators by Power Source
Instead of classifying generators by size, we can classify them by power source. Generators have several different power sources. To keep things simple, I’ve listed only the most popular power sources below.
Gasoline Generators
Gasoline generators are popular for both home and commercial use. They are affordable compared to other generators.
However, because pumping gas uses electricity, gasoline may be unavailable during power outages. Take this into consideration.
Natural Gas Generators
Natural gas generators use fuels such as propane or natural gas (mostly methane). Compared to gasoline and diesel generators, natural gas generators produce lower emissions.
Propane Generators
These are a specific type of natural gas generator – one that runs on propane gas. Generators that run on propane are highly reliable. Even in a power outage, propane is readily available. It’s also easy to store propane and it runs well in cold weather. So, even if the power goes out in the middle of winter, a propane generator can reliably start up and provide power.
The downside is that propane burns about three times faster than diesel generators. Additionally, propane is highly flammable and should be handled with care.
Diesel Generators
Diesel generators usually have a higher initial price. However, because diesel tends to be less expensive than gasoline, they pay themselves off over time.
Another benefit of diesel generators is that winter diesel fuel can be used in cold weather to prevent the fuel from freezing. This makes diesel generators a good option for people living in colder climates.
On the downside, like gasoline, if the power goes down, diesel pumps may stop working and you may not be able to get access to diesel fuel.
Solar Generators
Solar generators work by converting energy from the sun into electricity and storing it in a battery. They are safe for indoor use because solar generators produce no emissions.
However, these generators cannot produce power on demand. They need the sun and they need time to convert the solar energy into electrical energy. However, you’ll find that the storage batteries can typically also be powered from a car charger or wall outlet. So, take all this into consideration when purchasing.
These generators only offer lower amounts of power (think 3000 watts or less) and have a higher initial purchase price.
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