4 Important Standby Generator Features

As the market for generators continues to grow, so does the amount of options, and special features being added to each new model. Purchasing a standby or portable generator for your home is an investment that deserves careful thought and consideration. Choosing the right generator can provide many years of use, and security in the event of an unexpected outage.

Standby generators are built to automatically restore power in the event of an outage in your home or business. When the power goes out, standby generators identify the outage, and begin a quick process of switching the power source over from utility to generator.

We have compiled a list of the most helpful features to consider when purchasing a standby generator.

Low Oil Sensors: Choosing a generator with a built in oil sensor is a must have feature. Generators tend to run for hours at a time, if by accident you let it run for to long like any other oil run machine it could cease. Most generators are equipped with this safety feature and the best kinds are the generators that will automatically turn off if the oil gets to low.

Fuel Efficiency: The majority of generators operate on either LP Gas (propane) or Natural Gas, although some may run on diesel. Many generators also include fuel gauges in order to keep track of how much gas is remaining in the tank. The amount of fuel efficiency will vary by the type of fuel being used, the size of the generator, and the electrical load. When shopping for generators it’s important to compare full-load to half-load fuel consumption; when electrical load increases so will the fuel consumption.

Transfer Switch Options: A transfer switch is the component that switches your home or business from utility power to generator power. There are two main options for a transfer switch, automatic or manual. The automatic transfer switch is the most convenient option, because of its ability to switch power sources and generate power on its own. If there is an outage it will automatically switch from land line power to generator power; this will safeguard any appliances or other important electrical systems that could cause harm if powered off for to long. There are many instances where the power goes out, but no one is home, this is where the automatic transfer switches are the most useful.