Considering the frequency and longevity of the “load shedding” blackouts, many of the members of the general public have begun looking into purchasing a generator. These periods of “load shedding” have been known to last 4-5 hours, being without power for a couple hours is bad enough; let alone sitting in the dark with your day at a standstill for that long. Not to mention the mess that can be created if the food in your freezer or refrigerator begins to defrost and spoil.
- Portable or Permanent?
When considering an electrical generator there are some things that you need to consider. The first of which is portable or permanent? There are many benefits to either type of generator, let’s first start with the portable generators. This type of generator offers a very affordable option to the average homeowner or small business owner. When only a few vital electrical items are needed these generators offer a very viable solution. They are also easily transported; they can be wheeled in and out of a home or garage, eliminating the need to build a permanent structure to house the generator. It is important though to never run a portable generator in an enclosed structure; these generators typically run on gas and produce carbon monoxide.
The next type of electrical generators to consider is the permanent standby generators. These generators are much larger, and in most cases will require the construction of a building to shelter your generator. These generators typically run on a more permanent fuel source that is also housed on the property; typically natural gas or propane. These generators are typically designed in a way that they automatically engage soon after the power goes out; also they are capable of powering your entire home rather than just a few lights or appliances like the portable variety. Permanent standby generators typically carry a much heavier price tag than the portable type, considering the sheer amount of power they are capable of producing this should not be a surprised, and in an area where power outages this type of generator should seriously be considered.
The bottom line is that in this area where power is in short supply purchasing a backup generator whether the permanent or portable variety could be very beneficial.
