HOW TO STORE THE TOP HOME GENERATOR WHEN NOT IN USE - 2022

Whether your home is prone to power outages because of inclement weather or inefficient electrical equipment short-circuits, the best home generator is a outstanding choice for any homeowner looking for a protection guard. With a home generator, you do not need to refuel in an emergency or run a harness in the middle of the night or it is pouring rain. Instead, the generator will automatically turn on to receive immediate power to your home.
Which factors make a home generator the best? It is based on an average cost, warranty coverage, noise level, and other factors.

While this list focuses on home backup generators, there are four common generators with different purposes designed to meet different homeowners' needs.

Home Standby Generators

Souce : Amazon.com

A home standby generator, as described above, is a permanent installation that turns on automatically when the power goes out. These home generators are smart, designed not only to operate during a power outage but to run tests and self-diagnostics continuously, so you do not have to worry about whether the generator is ready or not for the next outage. Backup generators run on propane gas, which is safer to store than traditional gasoline-powered.

You could operate these units using natural gas from your gas pipeline for an unlimited fuel supply. These generators typically have a capacity of 5,000 to 520,000 watts, costing between $7,000 and $14,000, including installation costs.

Portable Home Generator

Souce : Amazon.com

The purpose of portable home generators (amazon.com/dp/B07G7GGFV6/) is as the name suggests: These devices are designed to be easily portable. Portable home generators come in a variety of sizes and outputs. These generators will cost an average of $500 to $2,500, depending on size and output.

Portable generators should not be placed in indoor spaces, nor should they be placed near to the air conditioners or open windows, as carbon monoxide emissions can be deadly in enclosed spaces. Portable generators typically run on standard gasoline, are affordable and easy to buy, but are difficult to maintain long-term.

Inverter Generator

Souce : Amazon.com

Inverter generators are similar to traditional home portable generators in power output but are much more energy efficient. They produce fewer emissions and are generally quieter. With these perks, the cost is higher, with models averaging between $1,400 and $4,000. These inverter generators can run much quieter than portable generators because they can automatically increase or decrease the throttle to match the electricity needs instead of always running at full capacity.

The exhaust system on these units is also smarter and designed to minimize noise.

Portable Power Stations

Portable generating stations offer the newer addition to the market and are made possible by the increasing affordability of high-capacity batteries. These power stations do not use fuel such as propane or gas but charge through your home's AC power and/or a solar panel. The great thing about portable power stations is that they can be used in your home or apartment as they do not produce dangerous emissions.

The main problem with portable power generators is the cost/watt, which can be significantly higher than that of a traditional portable generator. In addition, since these power stations must be charged via plugs or solar energy, it is difficult to use them for long periods during a power outage. A portable power station is the best choice if you want to regulate and power critical appliances or equipment during short-term power outages.

Home Generators Can Electric Start

Unlike portable generators, home generators are ready as soon as the power goes out, and most will even start up on their own when it senses power from your home's electrical panel. Even if they do not start automatically, the best home generators often have a remote start, which is considerably easier than a pull cord you might find on portable generators.

Home Generator Can Use Automatic Conversion

All home generators over 5,000 watts are required to have an Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS). ATS automatically switches your home's electrical panel connected to the grid to your home generator when it detects a power failure (this is what can trigger some generators to start automatically).

ATS also protects the city's electricity grid from being re-fed by your generator. Household generators under 5,000 watts (uncommon) and portable generators often have a much less convenient manual switch.

Souce : Amazon.com

Increase Power Capacity

Home generators have the largest electrical capacity among non-industrial generators and can often power an entire house. While portable generators typically have an average wattage of 3,500 to 10,000 watts, home generators are typically 10,000 to 50,000 watts or even more.

With the average home in the United States requiring at least 5,000 to 7,500 watts of essential equipment, increasing the electrical capacity of your generator gives you peace of mind during a power outage so that you could continue customary. In some extreme cases, you can even help power your neighbors.

Permanently Installed

Home generators are permanently installed just outside your home. With features like automatic shut-off and an electric start, you may not even have to go out during a power outage to get power immediately. For a portable generator, you have to roll out of the garage, run the extension cable, and pull the cord to start it.

Plus, most home generators run on liquid propane or natural gas, which could be permanently attached to your generator, so you do not have to worry about going to stores and buying fuel.

First, Check The Oil

If your generator has no leaks and is in good repair, it will not use too much oil. But before storing it in storage, you need to check and fill it with oil. For most home generators, this will be just a few teaspoons. You can use regular engine oil.

Souce: waldeneffect

Empty The Gas (Or Stabilize It)

Ideally, you will run the generator out of gas before storing it in storage. You do not want to store your home generator with a tank full of flammable gasoline. That is a big fire hazard, but it is not the only problem. Untreated fuel can break down when exposed to the elements, so it might not power the generator when you need to keep it going.

Gasoline can also cause a lot of damage to various parts of the generator when it is stored. So leaving untreated fuel in the generator isn't an option.

If you cannot run the tank to the bottom, you will want to add a fuel stabilizer to the full tank in the generator. Run the motor for one minute to fully distribute the stabilizer throughout the system. The fuel stabilizer will help prevent air from dehumidifying and entering the tank. It will also prevent gasoline from corroding your generator's various rubber and plastic parts. That way, it will start the next time you need it with a full fuel tank.

Check For Damaged Components

Before storing the generator, make sure you have it thoroughly checked. Find any parts that appear damaged or begin to show signs of wear and tear and replace them. If you replace these parts by mistake, the damage can get much worse during generator maintenance. The sections you should check out include the following:

• Spark arrest

• Switches

• Hoses

• Fuel tank

• Wheels

• Handles

Perform Annual Maintenance

Generators are fairly low-maintenance, but a little annual maintenance will help prolong their life. Set the start of hurricane season to the time you do this annual maintenance so you don't have any problems when a storm hits. Two things you need to do are:

• Replace spark plugs

• Change the air filter

Both of these jobs are simple enough, and the owner's manual should be instructive. However, if you have questions, our team can help you through the process.

Clean Dirt And Debris

Finally, you will want to wipe down the generator before putting it away. Remove any oil or fuel spills from the surface and clean any debris from the outside of the generator. Dirt and debris left on generators can corrode seals and switches. A simple wipe with a rag will do the trick.

Storing your home generator properly when not in use can seem complicated, but it is quite straightforward once you get the hang of it. A generator is not always needed, so it is important to store it properly so it can come to your rescue when you need it. Following the tips, methods, and solutions discussed above will greatly extend the life of your generator while ensuring it works like new.