Portland Generator Services

One of the most common questions we get is, “What size generator do I need?” The size of the generator you need depends on how many appliances you want to power during an outage. If you only want to power a few lights, your refrigerator, and your heating and cooling system, you will need a smaller generator than if you want to power your entire home or business.

Some of the factors to consider when determining what size generator you need include:

• How many appliances you want to power – As a rule of thumb, you should have a generator that has at least 20% more power than the total power of all the appliances you want to power. This is because some appliances, such as refrigerators and air conditioners, need more power to start than they need to run.
• How often you use your appliances – If you only use your appliances occasionally, you may be able to get away with a smaller generator than if you use your appliances all the time.
• How much you are willing to spend – The bigger the generator, the more expensive it will be. If you are on a tight budget, you may need to settle for a smaller generator.

Types of Generators

There are three main types of generators: portable generators, inverter generators, and standby generators. Portable generators are the most affordable option, but they are not the best option if you want to keep your home or business powered during a power outage. Inverter generators are a step up from portable generators, but they are still not as powerful as standby generators. Standby generators are the most powerful type of generator, but they are also the most expensive. They are the best option if you want to keep your heating and cooling systems running during a power outage.

Some of the factors to consider when choosing what type of generator to install include:

• How much power you need – If you only need to power a few lights and your refrigerator, you may be able to get away with a portable generator. If you want to keep your heating and cooling systems running, you will need a standby generator.
• How much you are willing to spend – Portable generators and inverter generators are more affordable than standby generators, but they are not as powerful. If you are on a tight budget, you may need to settle for a portable generator or an inverter generator.
• How much space you have – Standby generators are larger than portable generators and inverter generators, so you will need to have enough space to install one. If you have a small yard, you may need to settle for a portable generator or an inverter generator.