Buying a generator

[Bradford]

We have had such a bad time this year with the power going off and staying off that I've decided to buy a generator.

I found so many different models.

I need some advice on what to buy.

[home improvement guy]

First, you need to determine what appliances are necessary during a power outage. In addition to lighting, you will need to know the wattage of your refrigerator, furnace and devices for communication such as telephone and/or television. You can always use a battery-operated radio to keep you informed of changing conditions.

When a motor-operated appliance first comes on, it takes an additional surge of power known as surge wattage until the motor is at full operating speed. An average, refrigerator will need 1,600 surge watts and 800 running watts. A furnace fan rated at 1/2 horsepower will use 2,300 surge watts and 875 running watts. You can survive without an air conditioner, but a smaller unit rated at 24,000 BTU's will use 6,235 surge watts and 3,750 running watts. Appliances without motors generally do not require surge wattage. For instance, an average-size flat screen television will use approximately 180 watts and light bulbs will use the accumulated wattage rated for each bulb.

You simply add together the number of bulbs used. For example, two 100-watt bulbs will use 200 watts of power. Rather than use estimates, you should obtain the wattage usage listed on each appliance, add all these together and then purchase a generator that exceeds your needs.

Once you have a generator, it is very important to follow all safety precautions. The two main safety issues are to keep the generator a safe distance from the home's windows and doors and do not place the unit under the roof's vented overhangs. Never use a generator indoors. Carbon monoxide fumes produced by a gasoline-powered motor are colorless, odorless and tasteless but can be fatal in higher concentrations.

To operate safely, the generator needs to be connected to the main electrical system by means of a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician. You cannot simply connect the generator to the main electric panel and then trip the main switch to "Off." Doing this can feed high voltage back through the incoming electrical wiring to an unsuspecting utility worker once the power to your area has been restored.