The warmth and sunshine of summer is something we all look forward to. But in many parts of the US, summer also brings with it the threat of hurricanes, powerful thunderstorms, tornadoes, and more. If such a weather emergency occurs near you, there’s a very good chance you’ll lose power. 

Thankfully, it’s easy to be prepared for these situations with a portable generator for emergency power. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of portable emergency generators, and what to consider when buying one. 

What Kind of Portable Generator For Emergency Power Should You Buy?

 There are several different kinds of portable generator for emergency power that you can buy. Let’s take a look at each one. 

Propane Generator

A propane generator is powered using propane gas as fuel. This is a highly economical choice for a portable generator for emergency power, for a few reasons. 

For one, although it doesn’t provide as much power as gas or diesel, propane is generally more affordable. Even better, propane can be stored for long periods without the need for stabilizers. Propane generators also run quieter and produce fewer emissions compared to gas or diesel.

Gas Generator

Gas generators are generators that use gasoline for fuel. They’re some of the most common and popular generator types, for a few reasons.

For one, they’re cost effective, and gasoline provides a good amount of power per unit of fuel. However, fuel can’t be left in the generator without risking damaging it, and gasoline needs stabilizers to be stored long term. 

Diesel Generator

Diesel generators use diesel fuel as their fuel source. Because diesel provides the most power per unit of fuel compared to other fuel types, it’s extremely useful as a portable generator for emergency power. 

Diesel fuel also has the advantage that it can be stored for longer than gasoline without the use of stabilizers. But, diesel generators are also more expensive, as is diesel fuel, meaning higher upfront costs. 

Dual-Fuel Generator

As the name implies, dual-fuel generators are generators which can use two different fuel types. Most commonly, these will be propane and gasoline, but other combinations are possible. There are also tri-fuel generators, which can use three fuel types. 

Dual fuel generators are an excellent choice for a portable generator for emergency power. They provide maximum flexibility, and ensure you can almost always find fuel, even in emergency situations. But, this flexibility does come at a cost, as these are among the most expensive type of generator.

Solar Generator

Your final option for a portable generator for emergency power isn’t technically a generator at all, but it can still be handy. 

Solar generators are essentially a self contained battery and power management system. You charge it using a solar panel, wall outlet, or other power source. Once charged, it can provide power until the charge runs out.

Because they don’t require you to find fuel, they can be handy in emergency situations. But, you’ll need to keep it charged, which may be difficult depending on the conditions. Additionally, solar generators are fairly expensive, and generally provide less power than other generator types. 

 

What to Consider When Buying a Generator for Emergency Power

When you’re shopping for a portable emergency power generator, there’s a few things to consider first. Let’s take a look at each one. 

Your Power Needs

 Like with any generator, the first thing you should do when shopping for a portable generator for emergency power is assess your power needs. 

First, list out every item you expect to power or charge during an emergency. These will likely be things like cell phones, fans, lights, and perhaps even larger electronics like fridges and microwaves. 

Once you’ve got your list, you’ll need to find the wattage requirements for each one. The exact place to find this varies from item to item, but some common places to look include:

• On the device’s power supply (often on the power “brick” for electronics such as computers)
• On the device itself (often on the back or bottom)
• In the product’s user manual or other documentation

If you’re unable to find this info, you can also use an online generator wattage calculator to estimate. 

Be aware that, in addition to the standard running wattage, many devices also have a starting wattage. This is a higher level of power that’s briefly needed for the device to start. These are typically found in electronics with motors, such as microwaves. 

Once you have all your info, it’s time to add up the running and starting wattages separately. These two numbers tell you how much power you’ll need from your portable generator for emergencies. 

 

Your Desired Runtime

The “runtime” of a generator refers to how long it can run on a single tank of fuel. There’s a few factors that influence the runtime:

• The generator’s size
• The load place on the generator
• The generator’s fuel type

A larger generator will typically also have a longer runtime. This can be extremely convenient for a portable generator for emergency power.

However, a larger generator will also be more expensive, and harder to transport. So, you’ll want to find a balance between power and size that fits your needs. 

 

Your Fuel Type

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SFZk_3FPCk&t=1s 

Your generator’s fuel type is always an important consideration, but it’s especially important for a portable generator for emergency power.

In an emergency situation, common fuels like gasoline and diesel can be difficult to find. And worse, if the emergency disrupts supply lines, it could take weeks for these fuels to be readily available again. 

Let’s compare the pros and cons of each fuel type for an emergency generator:

Propane generators are economical, but provide a bit less power pound for pound than other generators. That said, propane is likely to be easier to find during an emergency, and because it can be stored indefinitely, it’s easy to be prepared.

Gas generators provide a good balance between price and power. But, gasoline can’t easily be stored long periods, and is probably the hardest fuel to find in an emergency

Diesel generators are more expensive, but provide a lot of power. Plus, while diesel can be scarce in an emergency, it will likely be more available than gasoline. Even better, diesel can be stored for as long as 12 months under the right conditions.

Dual and tri-fuel generators are expensive, but the flexibility they provide in an emergency is extremely useful. If you can’t find one fuel, you have another option available. 

Solar generators have the advantage that they don’t need fuel at all. However, they do need to be charged, which can be tricky if your power’s out and the sun isn’t shining. 

 

Noise Level

Another important consideration when buying a portable generator for power outages is the noise level. 

All generators (except solar generators) produce some amount of noise when they run. You want to ensure this noise level isn’t too high to ensure you and your neighbor’s aren’t bothered by the noise. 

Propane generators are generally the quietest, followed by gas and then diesel. A smaller generator will also typically be quieter than a larger generator. It’s important to find the right balance between power and noise levels

The noise level of your generator will be measured in decibels (dB). Ideally, a quiet emergency generator should produce 60 dB or less. 

Safety and Other Features

 A good portable generator for emergency power will have a variety of safety features to keep you safe. Such features include:

Carbon monoxide detection and automatic shutoff

Overload protections

Low oil shutoff

Spark arrestors

 These features protect you from accidents or exposure to dangerous substances like carbon monoxide. Most generators worth buying should have these features, and you’ll want to avoid those that don’t. Do note, however, that solar generators won’t have most of these features, as they are safe without them. 

 

Other extra features can also help you pick one generator over another. Some common features include:

Portability features, like wheels and handles, for portable emergency power

A variety of different outlets, allowing you to plug in a variety of devices at once

Economy mode, also known as an “electric throttle,” which adjusts the engine speed automatically in response to power demand. 

Automatic start, which lets you push a button to start the generator instead of using a pull cord

A pure sine inverter, which you’ll need if you want to power sensitive electronics like computers

 

Brand Reputation and Customer Reviews

Once you’ve considered everything else, the best way to narrow down your options is by looking at brand reputation and customer reviews. 

Using websites like Amazon and Customer Reports, you can learn more about your portable generator for emergency power and the company that makes it. To help ensure you’re reading real reviews, you can use a service like Fakespot.

 

Be Prepared For Emergencies With A Portable Generator for Emergency Power

When the lights go out, you’ll want to be prepared with a portable generator for emergency power. That way, you’ll still be able to power devices, keep lights on, and keep you and your family safe and comfortable. 

When you’re shopping for a portable generator for power outages, you’ll want to consider:

• Power needs
• Runtime
• Fuel type
• Noise level
• Features
• Brand reputation

With the help of these factors, you’ll be able to easily decide the best portable generator for emergency power for you!

 

Sources:

1. https://kratopower.com/blogs/news/how-to-pick-the-best-home-generator-the-simple-guide
2. https://www.elephantenergy.org/wattage-calculator/
3. https://kratopower.com/collections/generators/products/duromax-xp13000hxt-13-000-watt-10-500-watt-500cc-tri-fuel-portable-generator-with-co-alert-in-blue
4. https://www.electricgeneratorsdirect.com/stories/936-Generator-Decibel-Comparison.html
5. https://www.fakespot.com/

Image sources:

1. https://www.pexels.com/photo/thunder-striking-a-building-photo-680940/
2. https://unsplash.com/photos/8gXzLPWPu7E
3. https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-using-a-black-and-red-smartphone-and-calculator-5196820/
4. https://unsplash.com/photos/YWwdljlQfUM