Emergency Power Backup Blackouts needn't lead to spoiled food and nights by flashlight Small portable generators can be very helpful, and be stored out of the way when not needed More expensive stationary models install permanently outside your home and start automatically when needed 1

Emergency Power Backup Portables usually run on gasoline, making them better suited for very short term use Stationary models run on propane or natural gas, offering extended or even unlimited use 2

What to do when the lights go out Just a few years ago, the thought of owning an emergency power generator seemed preposterous But living without electricity for a while seems all too common 3

What to do when the lights go out Many homeowners simply cannot afford to ride out a power outage Instead, they are purchasing portable generators or installing emergency standby generators to protect their families and investments 4

Do you want to power your whole house or just part of it?  The first step in picking an emergency power generator is to determine what you want to power  Your whole house  A few essential circuits  Just an appliance or two  Generators are sold by power output, measured in watts 5

How much power do I need? 6 ApplianceTypical Power Consumption Air conditioner (window)1,000 watts Air conditioner (central)3,000-6,000 watts Hair dryer1,600 watts Electric clothes dryer3,500 watts Upright freezer700 watts Electric oven / range12,000 watts Frostless refrigerator/freezer700 watts Well pump1,000 watts Electric Water heater4,500 watts Microwave oven800-1,300 watts Computer200 watts Room lightingWattage is printed on bulbs

How much power do I need? Decide what you really need to power Not every appliance needs power simultaneously The ability to cycle power to different circuits can save money Add up your simultaneous power usage needs to know how big a generator you need 7

What else do I need? If you want to tie into your home’s existing power circuits you will need a transfer switch The transfer switch automatically closes off the utility power line to your house's electrical system and opens the line to the generator; it reverses the process when utility power is restored 8

Why a transfer switch? The transfer switch will protect your appliances when the power comes back on The transfer switch keeps your generator from endangering technicians working on the power lines A transfer switch will cost between $500 and $1,000 plus the cost of an electrician to install it 9

What about a portable generator?  A typical 4,000 – 5,000 watt portable generator can only power an appliance or two  Portable generators use about 1-2 gallons of gasoline per hour  The generator’s gas tank will hold about 5 gallons  Only about 3 to 5 hours of operation without attention 10

What about a portable generator?  A portable generator is not connected to the whole house  Appliances are plugged into the generator directly (how many extension cords do you need?)  Long extension cords use about 20% more power 11

Emergency Standby Generators An emergency standby generator is not portable unless it is mounted on a trailer They are typically powered by propane or natural gas 12

Emergency Standby Generators Depending on its size an emergency standby generator can be configured to power your entire house, the majority of your house or just essential circuits 13

Emergency Standby Generators A 250 gallon tank of propane can enable a standby generator to run for 1 to 2 weeks 14

15 Much useful information is online

Portable Generators Portable generators typically provide from 3k - 8.5k watts and cost from $400 - $1000 Most run on gasoline but some can run on propane or natural gas Pro: Cheapest, easy to move and store, adequate for powering an appliance or two plus lights Con: Not enough power, must store large quantities of gasoline, a hazardous fuel 16

Stationary Generators Stationary generators typically provide from 10k - 22k watts and cost from $3k - $10k Most run on propane or natural gas Pro: Hardwired into the house, start automatically, can use existing propane, eliminates power disruption for many days Con: high price, requires professional installation, regular preventive maintenance 17

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