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Generators
A guide to selecting and operating the right generator for your needs
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Save 30% on your entire order of new generators on the Firman Power Equipment website. Just click on the SHOP NOW button, enter the discount code "PREPARE30" at checkout, or use your cellphone to scan the QR code below.
Full Disclosure: I am a Firman Brand Affiliate, and I receive a commission on any sales that use my discount code, unique link, or QR code.
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Introduction
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After Hurricane Alicia hit Houston in 1983, I remember all too well lying in a hot bedroom while trying to sleep with no air conditioning or fans. Not only was the lack of air conditioning a major issue, but due to the widespread nature of the outage, you couldn’t even find ice to keep your food cold or to chill a drink. Adding to the frustration, a single flashlight was our only source of illumination for the whole household. For 10 long, miserable days, I regretted not having invested in an emergency generator!
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Generators can make riding out a power outage a lot more tolerable, but they may also require a significant investment in both time and money to ensure they are operational when you need them. Since most people don’t have experience in this area, this section will briefly cover the major aspects of generator selection, maintenance, operation, and safety.
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For those who want more in-depth information on generator selection, operation, and safety, you should consider obtaining a copy of my book, Hurricane Preparedness for the Home and Family. In this book, generator information comprises the longest and most extensive chapter, and has 16 pages dedicated to the subject.
Portable Generator Overview
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When faced with the potential of a hurricane blowing into their neighborhood, many people will often consider buying a generator to get them through the long, hot days when commercial power is unavailable. Unfortunately, the average person will just go to the local hardware or home improvement center and purchase whatever the salesman recommends, or more often, whatever is left on the shelf. Very often, what they end up with is what I refer to as a "construction" generator.
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An construction generator is designed primarily for commercial use. They are typically large, heavy, loud, and guzzle gasoline. Usually, very little research conducted before this purchase. What the new owner soon finds out is that a generator of this type is not the best choice for the vast majority of people who need emergency power for just one or two weeks.
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A typical 5,000 watt generator under full load will conservatively consume about 18 gallons of gasoline in a 24 hour period. Unfortunately, even under partial load, it will still use nearly the same amount of gasoline. That's because this type of generator is designed to run at full power continuously. To put this into perspective, at $2.76 per gallon it takes approximately $49.68 worth of gasoline per day to feed this monster. This works out to nearly $350 per week if you run it around the clock.
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Then there's the issue of noise. If you have a generator running full throttle in your back yard, at least you get the benefit of a refrigerator, fans, television, lights, and many of the necessities of life that make it a bit more tolerable during a power outage. But for your neighbors, all they hear is the relentless roar of your generator while they swelter in the heat. Needless to say, you're not going to be very popular after the sun goes down and those around you with their windows open are trying to sleep!
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Finally, unless you're powering some pretty large-load items—such as a window air conditioner or well pump—5,000 watts is far more power than the average house needs in a short-term emergency. Subsequently, what you end up with is a generator that is roaring along, continuously producing a full 5,000 watts of power even though you may only need about a third of that in an average emergency situation.
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My favorite line of generators comes from Firman Power Equipment. I like them so much that I became a Brand Affiliate for them, and now work with their marketing team to promote their products. In the spirit of full disclosure, I do receive a commission on any sales that use my unique link or if you enter my 30% discount code (PREPARE30) at checkout. Of course, the upside for you is that you will receive a 30% discount on your entire order for all new generators and products on the Firman Power Equipment website.
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Minimalist Generators
1,000 - 2,000 Watts
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Minimalist generators are those falling into the 1,000-2,000 watt range. For all practical purposes, 2,000 Watts should be the minimum you should consider for most applications, since the 1,000 watt generators are very limited in what they can power. If your looking for a small, lightweight generator to just power the essentials, then you should consider the Firman W01682. This generator is capable of 1600 watts / 2000 starting watts. The W01682 is an inverter generator, and a part of the Firman's "Whisper" series of ultra-quiet generators, so it's much less likely to disturb your neighbors. It speeds up or slows down based on the amount of load applied to the generator, which means you get much greater fuel efficiency. And because it uses inverter technology, it produces very clean power which is safe to use with all of your sensitive electronics. This is especially important for computers, televisions, sound systems, or other expensive devices.
A 2,000-watt generator can power a variety of essential items during a power outage caused by a natural disaster. Here are some common appliances and devices you can run:
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Refrigerator: Typically consumes around 100-800 watts, depending on the size and model1.
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Lights: LED bulbs and other energy-efficient lighting can be powered easily.
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Fans: Standard fans usually require around 50-150 watts.
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Microwave: Small microwaves generally use about 600-1,200 watts.
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Television: Modern LED TVs consume around 100-200 watts.
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Laptop Computer: These typically need about 50-100 watts.
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Phone Chargers: These use very little power, around 5-10 watts.
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Small Window Air Conditioner: Depending on the model, these can use around 500-1,500 watts.
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Coffee Maker: Usually requires about 600-1,200 watts.
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Toaster Oven: Consumes around 1,200 watts.
It’s important to note that while a 2,000-watt generator can handle these items, you should be mindful of the total wattage to avoid overloading the generator. Always check the wattage requirements of your specific appliances and prioritize the most essential ones.​
The Firman W2000i is a highly versatile, lightweight, and fuel efficient inverter generator that is capable of powering many of the essential items in a home during a power outage.
Small Generators
3,000 - 4,000 Watts​
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Small generators are a offer many features that make them an ideal choice for emergency power. They offer enough capacity to run several devices simultaneously without overloading the generator. An inverter generator in this class offers great fuel economy and very quiet operation. The Firman generators in this class usually are equipped with many useful features, such as electric start, carbon monoxide detectors that automatically power off the generator when dangerous levels are detected, and a 30-amp outlet that allows easy hookup to a recreational vehicle or a transfer switch to supply power to your home via the existing electrical outlets. They also speed up and slow down, based on the amount of load, and are extremely quiet and fuel efficient. And speaking of fuel, some of these generators can run on either gasoline or propane, which is much safer and easier to store. Using inverter technology, it produces very clean power which is safe to use with all of your sensitive electronics. This is especially important for computers, televisions, sound systems, or other expensive devices.
A 3,300-watt generator can power a wide range of essential items during a power outage caused by a natural disaster. Here are some common appliances and devices you can run:
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Refrigerator and Freezer: Typically consumes around 700-1,200 watts.
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Lights: LED bulbs and other energy-efficient lighting can be powered easily.
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Fans: Standard fans usually require around 50-100 watts.
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Microwave: Small to medium microwaves generally use about 600-1,200 watts.
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Television: Modern LED TVs consume around 100-200 watts.
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Laptop/Computer: These typically need about 50-100 watts.
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Phone Chargers: These use very little power, around 5-10 watts.
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Small Window Air Conditioner: Depending on the model, these can use around 500-1,500 watts.
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Coffee Maker: Usually requires about 600-1,200 watts.
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Toaster Oven: Consumes around 1,200 watts.
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Washing Machine: Typically uses around 500-1,200 watts.
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Electric Drill: Uses about 600-800 watts.
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Pressure Washer: Consumes around 1,200-1,500 watts.
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Air Compressor: Typically requires around 1,000-1,500 watts.​
It’s important to manage the total wattage to avoid overloading the generator. Always check the wattage requirements of your specific appliances and prioritize the most essential ones.
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The lightweight Firman WH03242 is a great inverter generator that can power your RV or many items around your home during a power outage. It featuress dual-fuel capability, electric start, and many other useful capabilities. Click on the button below to view this generator's details and receive the 30% discount.
Medium Generators
5,000 - 7,000 Watts​
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Under Construction!
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The lightweight Firman WH3242 is a great inverter generator that can power your RV or many items around your home during a power outage. It featuress dual-fuel capability, electric start, and many other useful capabilities. Click on the button below to view this generator's details and receive the 30% discount.
Emergency Standby Generators
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Emergency standby generators with automatic transfer switches typically cost thousands of dollars to purchase and install, but are by far the safest and most convenient form of emergency power. In an average installation, the generator is mounted on a concrete pad and wired directly into the home via an automatic transfer switch. Instead of gasoline, they typically utilize natural gas or propane. This negates the need for storing fuel before a hurricane, moving a generator around after the storm, and having to constantly refuel it.
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How emergency generators operate is quite simple: When the electricity goes off, the control panel senses the outage and automatically starts the generator. After a few seconds to allow the generator to stabilize, the automatic transfer switch connects the electrical feedlines over to the generator, and the generator then powers the house. When electricity is restored, the controller senses the restoration, switches the feedline back to the electrical mains, and shuts down the generator after the cool-down cycle completes. Under ideal circumstances, your home should be without power for no more than about 10 seconds.
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When selecting a home standby generator, it's important that you choose wisely. Based on my research and experience, a good choice for most situations is the Kohler line of generators. Though costing somewhat more than some other brands, they have a reputation for rock-solid reliability. Ours served us well during Hurricane Harvey, and Winter Storm Uri, as well as several blackouts due to locally heavy thunderstorms.