Sunday, September 27, 2015
You’re settled in safe at home, when suddenly the lights go out and the comforting hums of fridge and furnace go dead. As you rummage around in a drawer for flashlights and batteries, you’re probably kicking yourself for not investing in a generator after the last storm.
Don’t let that happen again, advises Consumer Reports. The best of the 45 generators it recently tested supply power for everything from the bare necessities to your whole house.
Some generators deliver more juice than others. Some, including pricey inverter models, provide power that’s cleaner, and that won’t make appliances run hotter and sensitive electronics run less reliably. Others include smart features, such as automatic shutdown if engine oil gets low.
Here’s Consumer Reports’ advice on how to choose a generator wisely, install it properly and use it safely.
Stationary or portable: pros, cons
Stationary models are significantly more expensive, but they start automatically when the power goes out, and often supply more power than portables. They also periodically run a self-diagnosis routine that can send you alerts, whether via the display panel or by text or email. Running on natural gas or propane, they save you the hassle and safety risks of storing gallons of gasoline.
In addition to costing less, portables can be transported easily to another location. If you go for a portable, one handy new feature to look for is a removable console, connected via cable to the generator. You can plug directly into the console without running extension cords to the generator, which Consumer Reports doesn’t recommend.
Know your power needs
Unless you want the generator to keep the whole house running, compile a list of priorities for what you want your portable model to power. At the very least, you’ll probably want to make sure essentials such as the refrigerator, sump pump and heating system stay on. Additionally, you can map every outlet and switch in the house so that you’ll know which circuit on your service panel powers what. Two people on cellphones can do that easily: Leave one person manning the panel while the other goes from room to room, checking what works as circuits are switched on and off. A circuit finder, $25 to $30, can also help identify which circuit on your service panel powers a given receptacle. Of course, for a fee, a pro can also perform that task for you.
Consult a pro
Whichever type of generator you choose, consult an electrician to ensure proper selection and installation. If you already know which items in your home you’ll want to power, you could save hundreds by not paying for the labor required to map the circuits. If you’re going for a stationary model, a pro should be able to help with your town or municipal requirements for proper location on your property, noise restrictions and permits.
Consider this upgrade
Extension cords are a hassle, and they can be hazardous. A transfer switch, about $500 to $900 with labor to install, links the generator to your circuit panel. That lets you power circuits, including those for hardwired appliances, directly. You’ll need at least a 5,000-rated-watt generator to use one.
Keep up with maintenance
For a stationary generator, make a habit of checking its display to see whether maintenance is required. For a portable, your owner’s manual will tell you how often to change the oil and which type to use. If your generator uses gasoline, add stabilizer to all of your stored fuel.
Always operate safely
Never run a generator indoors; it creates deadly levels of carbon monoxide. It should be run at least 15 feet from the house, away from doors and windows, and never in the basement, garage or any other enclosed space. Don’t run a portable in the rain; model-specific tents are available online.
For information, check out the report at ConsumerReports.org/cro/generatorbuy.
2015 Consumers Union Inc.