A power outage in your home can be terrifying, especially if there is severe weather right outside your door. But there is a way to bypass this situation: Westinghouse iGen4500 inverter generator. When the grid is down due to storms, hurricanes, freezing temperatures, or other natural disasters, you never know how long it will take to restore power to homes. In this case, relying on a portable power inverter generator would be an ideal option.

Home standby or portable generators

There are two types of generators: domestic backup and portable. Each has advantages and disadvantages, so make an informed decision based on the geography of your home and the amount of power you will need if the lights go out.

Portable generators

These generators are smaller and can be removed from the garage. Their primary fuel is gasoline, so they should never be operated indoors or in any enclosed area, where deadly carbon monoxide gas can accumulate. It is recommended that you install battery-powered carbon monoxide detectors indoors, according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be careful when fueling a portable gasoline generator; never add fuel while the unit is running or hot. If the tank gets too full, fuel can overflow onto a hot engine and cause a fire or explosion.

Always turn the generator on or off only when no electrical loads are connected. Extension cords can be connected to portable generators and run indoors to power smaller appliances such as a refrigerator, sump pump, boiler, water heater, lamps, televisions, and computers. To select the best backup generator for you and your family, determine how much power you would need in the event of a power outage. Remember, connecting a portable generator directly to your home’s wiring can be deadly to you and others.

Home standby generators

These remain permanently out of the house and on standby. They run on an existing fuel source, be it liquid propane or natural gas, and are capable of generating enough power to re-energize your home in seconds after it loses its power. That’s because the permanent generator works in conjunction with a transfer switch to monitor incoming voltage from utilities. When the power to your home is turned off, the transfer switch will disconnect the service line and connect a new generator power line to restore power in seconds.

Due to the large amount of power that permanent standby generators are capable of providing, they come at a high price. However, the cost has come down in recent years, making them more affordable. Additionally, licensed electricians must install these generators, and your local utility company must be notified that you have a backup system installed. However, if you live in an area that is constantly experiencing power outages, this type of generator can be a good option and the best possible setup money can buy. Also, if you live in a consistently very cold climate plagued by ice storms, this generator can be useful to power your boiler and water heater.

Before buying a generator

As always, do your research before buying a generator. Determine what electrical items are needed in an emergency. Homes in freezing climates need to be protected from frozen pipes and the boiler must be connected to emergency power. Homes in climates that have hot temperatures and high humidity need an air conditioning backup to protect against mold damage.

To store food in the freezer, the refrigerator will need to be in the system, as well as any separate freezer. Homes with well water need to have the well pump in the generator system if the toilets are to be flushed. Add the watts needed to determine what size generator are needed. Consider both running and starting watts. Take your budget into consideration.