With hurricanes looming in the south and snowstorms on our minds in Connecticut – generators have become a hot topic!
Generators are a backup source of power when there’s a power outage. More and more homeowners are opting to use either portable generators that are connected when needed or “whole house” generators that automatically kick on when the power goes out.
The big question is – what is suitable for you? The answer is “It Depends!”
The most common generator for personal home use is the portable version – as it’s less expensive to buy and easy to connect. But if you have it in the budget to buy a propane whole-house generator – it makes life so much easier because there is no dragging out the generator each time a storm looms and it also adds incredible resale value to your home if you should decide to put it on the market.
As for portable generators – there are two basic types: Gas and Diesel. Here are the differences:
Efficiency: A diesel generator may be less expensive for you to operate in the long run because it’s more efficient. Unlike a gas generator, a diesel one will burn 50% less fuel over a given period. So if you plan on using your generator over long periods – diesel is the way to go, even though the initial cost of the fuel is more expensive than gas.
Durability: Diesel generators don’t have carburetors or spark plugs, so there is less maintenance than on gas-powered generators. Gas generators will also run hotter than diesel ones, so running them for long periods invites frequent issues. On the flip side, diesel generators love to be used and don’t do well if they sit unused – so if you think you’ll only use yours once every 3 years – opt for a gas generator, but don’t let the gas sit in there when not in use.
Price: Gas generators, like gas cars and trucks, are less expensive and they are also portable – so if you move, you can bring them with you!
In the end – if you think you’ll be using a generator a lot – opt for a whole house generator or a portable diesel. Want a simple peace of mind for “what if the storm hits and I lose power” security – opt for the less expensive gas portable generator.
