The thought of owning your very own stand by generator seemed outrageous just a few years back. Only big companies and businesses needed stand by generators to supply electricity in case of an outage. No one would have ever thought that it would someday become an indispensable apparatus in the common household.



Nowadays, it is all too common to own a stand by generator. Families just couldn't afford to go through yet another power outage. Important tasks might be delayed, their safety might be compromised and valuable information might get lost. If you do not want to risk this happening to you, the only answer would be for you to get a stand by generator.

What is a Stand by Generator?

A stand by generator is a variation of the electric generator, and it is permanently installed. Just as with any electric generator, it is used to supply electricity in case of a power outage. A stand by generator basically functions like your average appliance, like your air-conditioning unit, but maybe with a few differences.

Instead of having an electric motor, which is present in your AC unit, the stand by generator runs on an engine. So, when a power outage occurs, your AC unit is sure to cease functioning while your stand by generator is still capable of functioning.

Another difference is that a stand by generator uses an automatic transfer switch instead of a thermostat in order to monitor utility power. The automatic transfer switch is responsible for turning the generator on once a power outage occurs and turning it off once power is restored.

Is a stand by generator better than a portable generator?

It all depends on what meets your needs. If you'd rather have a generator that is light, and can be transported anywhere, a portable generator is definitely right for you. On the other hand, a stand by generator is recommended to those who do not like having to turn the generator on every time a power outage occurs. A stand by generator also means not having to carry it with you, no power cords, and no need to fill up the gas tank.

OK. Now I know what a stand by generator is. What's the first step in choosing the right one?

The first thing you should do is determine whether you want the whole house to be powered, or just a few selected circuits leading to important electrical devices such as the burglar alarm, computer, microwave, night lamp, etc.

If you're willing to shell out wads of cash to enjoy maximum power supply, you can get a stand by generator that has the capacity to power the whole house. A 20-kilowatt liquid-cooled generator costs $6,275 to $12,500, exclusive of automatic transfer switch and installation costs.

For those who are on a tight budget, you can get a stand by generator that powers select circuits. A typical select circuit generator can power 8-16 circuits and costs $1,999 to $3,850, already inclusive of the automatic transfer switch.

If you have the money to invest in a stand by generator that powers the whole house, go for it. It will be worth every cent. If you can't afford one however, don't fret. There are creative ways available for you to maximize your investment by reviving as many parts of the house as possible.