6 Reasons You Should Choose a Standby Generator vs Portable Generator

While many of us might associate losing power with winter snowstorms, power outages can occur due to other types of severe weather, vehicle accidents, curious animals, utility failures, and human error.

When power outages last for many hours, days, or even weeks, you can be left in subpar living conditions that can be quite costly.

You rely on electricity to power the lights and essential appliances in your home. One of the best ways to make power outages more manageable for either your home or your business is by having a generator.

Are you wondering about the difference between a standby generator vs portable generator? While the portable generators have their place, the benefits of a standby generator can make it the better choice. Let’s take a look at six reasons why you might prefer to get a standby generator than a portable one.

1. Standby Generator Vs Portable Generator: Standby Generators Provide More Power

There are a number of pros and cons of a portable generator, however one of the cons is that they do not supply much in the way of power. They will likely only be strong enough to power a handful of appliances.

Standby generators, on the other hand, can provide enough power for everything in your household if you experience an outage. You’ll be able to power your stove, refrigerator, Wi-Fi, central heating and cooling system, and more.

2. They’re Ready to Use

When you have a standby generator, it will automatically and immediately start working if you have a power outage. This is particularly important if any of your family members use medical equipment that runs on electricity.

With portable generators, though, you will have to start it manually every time you want to. This means that even if the weather is horrible, you will have to bundle up and go outside to get it started.

3. Standby Generators Are More Convenient

One of the benefits of standby generators is how convenient they are. They are always sitting in a permanent location that is out of the way and they turn on immediately when the power goes out.

A portable generator can be pretty inconvenient to use. In order to use it, you will likely have to carry it out of storage, get it set up in a location that is safe, and get it all hooked up. This process can be annoying and can take quite a bit of time, particularly if you are trying to get it working in inclement weather conditions.

4. Standby Generators Are Quieter Than Portable Generators

Portable generators can be incredibly noisy to operate. However, standby generators that are permanently installed are often quiet enough that they do not interrupt or interfere with your normal life. Built with an insulated casing that helps muffle the motor’s noise, you will hardly notice that your standby generator is even operating.

This is particularly important if you, like many other people these days, are working from home. The last thing you need is a loud motor buzzing in the background when you’re on an important video call with your boss.

5. They’re Weatherproof

Standby generators are designed and built to withstand a wide variety of weather conditions. Since they are intended to be installed in a permanent location, manufacturers build them in a way that is sturdy and heavy. However, portable generators are built to be small and portable, so they often do not contain many of the weatherproofing features that are built into standby generators.

If your property doesn’t have a covered storage area where you will be able to store a portable generator, then you will have to separately buy a weatherproof cover that you will then have to attach securely to the generator. This cover will have to be removed before use, making the process of using a portable generator even more lengthy.

6. They Reduce Carbon Monoxide Risk

One of the dangers of using generators is the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning. However, when your standby generator is professionally installed, you won’t have to worry that you are using the generator in a dangerous way.

Portable generators have to be used outside at least 20 feet away from your house, windows, and doors. However, sadly, hundreds of people are killed every year and thousands of people fall ill by using portable generators inside their garage or their home. It is never safe to use a portable generator inside even if the windows and doors are open.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can lead people to experience weakness, confusion, dizziness, a dull headache, shortness of breath, blurred vision, and a loss of consciousness. This is a life-threatening medical emergency, and anyone who believes they’ve been exposed to carbon monoxide should immediately get fresh air and seek emergency medical help.

Are You Looking For the Lowest Possible Propane Prices on Long Island?

When you are looking into the age old standby generator vs portable generator question, one thing you’ll want to consider is the type of fuel they use. Portable types of generators can run on gasoline, natural gas, liquid propane, or diesel fuel. However, they are most commonly run on gasoline.

Standby generators, on the other hand, run on either propane or natural gas. By hooking into your home’s propane or natural gas system, these generators can run for days or weeks in the case of using whole-house propane tanks and indefinitely if your home is fueled by natural gas.

If your home uses propane, you might be looking for the best propane delivery price on Long Island. At Propane Depot, we help to make heating your home or business with propane affordable and simple.

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