How to find the right generator
All the power outages from the recent snow and wind storms of the past month have more people out looking to buy generators.
But how do you know what to buy? And just as important, how can you make sure you'll be safe when you have to put a generator to work?
I started making calls as soon as I heard about the two local teens who likely died of carbon monoxide poisoning using a generator this week. The 16-year-olds were discovered in a garage near Port Angeles and police believe they'd been trying to refuel a generator when they were overcome by fumes.
A generator can be a life saver in an outage, but I found out there's a lot we need to know. Storms and power outages are always big motivators for buying a generator. But buying on impulse can be a mistake.
Owner Duaine Henrickson of Goodsell Power Equipment in Bellevue sees it all the time.
"People wait until an outage," said Henrickson. "They need power right now. They run down to the store and buy the first thing they can buy."
Then later, they discover the unit they purchased is too loud, not big enough, or needs the wrong fuel for you home.
Here are the generator fuel factors: Some run on unleaded gasoline. Some run on natural gas, some run on diesel and others need propane.
"The unleaded fuel not only is the fuel more accessible, but the generators themselves are more powerful. There aren't nearly as many choices in natural gas, diesel and propane," Henrickson explained
Then, there are the price factors. You can spend as little as $500 or as much as $4,000. And if you need installation, that's $200-$500, plus another $200 to $400 if you want a Power Transfer Switch to tie the generate to specific circuits in the house.
What you pay depends on the brand, and the amount of power you need. The power factor is where many people make their biggest mistake.
A 500 watt unit might keep on a few light bulbs, while 11,000 watts can power a small business.
The most popular power for household backup is 5,000 to 6,500 watts. You have to know what you need.
"Lights, the coffee maker in your kitchen, the hairdryer in the bathroom. Keep the kids occupied-put a movie on the TV or something. Add all of those things up. At least have a list of what they are," said Henrickson.
And finally, the safety factors:
* Never refuel a generator when the engine is hot, or running. That's asking for a fire.
* Only run generators outdoors and away from open windows and doors. That prevents toxic fumes from drifting back indoors.
* Allow at least 5 feet of clearance around the unit, to prevent injuries or damage to property.
* And always use a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector to alert you if poisonous fumes are escaping into your home.
The best time to buy a generator is actually in the summertime, when demand is down, supply is less of an issue, and power outages are less likely.
Regardless of when you buy, do your homework first and make sure you know what you're buying, and make sure you're using a qualified electrician if you elect to install a Power Transfer Switch.
For more information:
www.redcross.org
www.cpsc.gov
But how do you know what to buy? And just as important, how can you make sure you'll be safe when you have to put a generator to work?
I started making calls as soon as I heard about the two local teens who likely died of carbon monoxide poisoning using a generator this week. The 16-year-olds were discovered in a garage near Port Angeles and police believe they'd been trying to refuel a generator when they were overcome by fumes.
A generator can be a life saver in an outage, but I found out there's a lot we need to know. Storms and power outages are always big motivators for buying a generator. But buying on impulse can be a mistake.
Owner Duaine Henrickson of Goodsell Power Equipment in Bellevue sees it all the time.
"People wait until an outage," said Henrickson. "They need power right now. They run down to the store and buy the first thing they can buy."
Then later, they discover the unit they purchased is too loud, not big enough, or needs the wrong fuel for you home.
Here are the generator fuel factors: Some run on unleaded gasoline. Some run on natural gas, some run on diesel and others need propane.
"The unleaded fuel not only is the fuel more accessible, but the generators themselves are more powerful. There aren't nearly as many choices in natural gas, diesel and propane," Henrickson explained
Then, there are the price factors. You can spend as little as $500 or as much as $4,000. And if you need installation, that's $200-$500, plus another $200 to $400 if you want a Power Transfer Switch to tie the generate to specific circuits in the house.
What you pay depends on the brand, and the amount of power you need. The power factor is where many people make their biggest mistake.
A 500 watt unit might keep on a few light bulbs, while 11,000 watts can power a small business.
The most popular power for household backup is 5,000 to 6,500 watts. You have to know what you need.
"Lights, the coffee maker in your kitchen, the hairdryer in the bathroom. Keep the kids occupied-put a movie on the TV or something. Add all of those things up. At least have a list of what they are," said Henrickson.
And finally, the safety factors:
* Never refuel a generator when the engine is hot, or running. That's asking for a fire.
* Only run generators outdoors and away from open windows and doors. That prevents toxic fumes from drifting back indoors.
* Allow at least 5 feet of clearance around the unit, to prevent injuries or damage to property.
* And always use a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector to alert you if poisonous fumes are escaping into your home.
The best time to buy a generator is actually in the summertime, when demand is down, supply is less of an issue, and power outages are less likely.
Regardless of when you buy, do your homework first and make sure you know what you're buying, and make sure you're using a qualified electrician if you elect to install a Power Transfer Switch.
For more information:
www.redcross.org
www.cpsc.gov