All About Propane Generators

Propane generators and propane portable generators are appliances designed to provide temporary electrical power.  These are typically used in emergency situations like blackouts and extreme weather conditions, but can also be used as portable power sources.  While many generators are designed for portable use, others are static appliance units known as “standby” generators.  These are designed to restore power to a home or commercial building when its usual power source is interrupted, and often turn on automatically to minimize loss of power.

Propane Generators

In years past, most generators were fueled by either oil or natural gas.  While these fuel sources do provide effective electrical power, they also have notable drawbacks.  With oil especially, running a generator can become an expensive enterprise, and both oil and gas are considered unclean fuel sources.  An alternative to these older fuel sources is propane gas for propane generators.  This clean-burning gas already provides heat and fuel in many homes, making it an efficient choice for also fueling their temporary power sources.

Requirements Of Propane Generators

Both portable and standby propane generators exist, giving homeowners several options to choose from.  Standby generators need constant access to propane, so that there is an unlimited supply available in the event of an emergency.  This requires pipes be run underground, to connect your generator with a source of propane.  This works best when your home already has propane access pipes, such as those required to heat your water heater.  Having new pipes run for a standby generator may come with some upfront costs otherwise, so it’s a good idea to contact your utility company for further information.

Standby propane generators also require special zoning permits in some locations.

So it’s also wise to contact your city hall or other local government for legal purposes just to make sure.  A quick call is al that is need, but better to be safe than sorry.

Propane Generators For Home Use

Propane Portable Generator

These propane generators for home use come in many sizes, and include handy features designed for easy use.  Handles, wheels and convenient storage compartments are common helpful features found on these generators.  Portable units are generally sized according to wattage, with higher numbers capable of providing more power.  The smallest portable generators can only run very small appliances such as lights and common household items.  Depending on size, anywhere from one to several large appliances can be run simultaneously.  Propane portable generators are typically intended to provide a few hours of use from a single tank of propane, though this too varies depending on the unit’s wattage limitations.

Propane portable generators are designed to provide power for those times when you go ‘off grid’ or for when the grid goes ‘off you’, i.e. in a mains power outage.  They are a great temporary way to power the essential items around your home. By nature they are versatile.

They come in all sizes and price ranges.  It is up to you to determine what size is going to keep whatever appliances you neet to use, up and running for the duration of an outage.

At the smaller end of the scale portable propane generators can run several appliances in your home, your trailer, your backyard  and at the larger end they can keep a whole house going.

Midsized propane portable generators will power essential appliances during emergencies. Propane Generators in the 4,000 to 8,000 watt size will provide enough power for a refrigerator, lighting and at the higher end, a small air-conditioning unit.

Benefits Of Propane Portable Generators For Home Use

1. They can be inexpensive at the smaller end of the scale making them perfect for short, temporary losses of power.

2. You can move them around to where they are needed, like outdoors in the garden workshed or garage.

3. Their fuel is easy to come by

4. They can be taken away on camping trips, to the beach or park, and are great for tailgating.

Propane Portable Generators And Size

It’s important to have a good idea of the size you want, and then round up by about 20%.  Why round up, well this is because there are items that someone in your household will want to use during your power outage (that you will not have thought of). But more importantly, remember starting an appliance uses a lot more power than the actual running of that appliance. So if you are going to start lots of appliances at the same time, then you will either need a much bigger generator or you will probably blow the one you are using.  So always bare this in mind.

Make a list of what you believe you need to use in an emergency.  Then work out the wattage needs of these appliances. If you don’t feel confident doing this then simply ask the supplier or manufacturer that you are thinking of buying from.They will all usually have this information readily available, they are the experts so let them work for you.  The only thing you really have to have is an idea of what you want to run on the portable generator.

Make sure you have ample propane available for your generator, and store this well and safely.  Get some advice on the best way to store propane, this will help keep it in peak condition and ready for use when you need it. Test your generator regularly.  Don’t just wait until you lose power, to see if it still works.  Turn it on and give it a run once a month, and check the oil  levels at the same time. 5 or 10 minutes should do it.

Make sure you can get to your portable generator.  Yes, if you can’t get to your generator then it surely won’t work.  Think of the events in your area that will cause a power outage, like for example a bad snow storm.  Don’t leave your generator in the garden shed, if you know the garden is impassable after a heavy snow storm or heavy rain fall.

Make sure there is nothing blocking access to your generator now, and think of anything that could potentially block it in the future.  Like a family member leaving a car in front of the garage or shed, and then leaving for college with the keys.  You may laugh but these things happen more regularly than you would believe.

The best time to consider buying a generator for home use is when you have power, not when you are without it. This means that you have the luxury of time to consider and make an informed choice, and will ensure that you are not making a desperate purchase.

Tips For Using Your Home Use Propane Portable Generators

A backup propane portable generator is pointless unless it is ready to work during your next emergency. Simple. Here’s some advice to help keep your emergency backup system in top condition. Always check the suppliers instructions that come with all propane portable generators for detailed model instructions.

Keep propane portable generators clean, dry and free of leaves and other lawn debris to help prevent overheating.
Run your backup power monthly for several minutes.
Do regular oil checks.
Always keep extra oil.
Never clean your generator with a hose.
Store the generator in a well-vented shed or other protected area away from the house and any fire source.
To prevent carbon-monoxide poisoning, never operate a generator inside a house or garage.
Also be sure your propane portable generator is at least 15 feet from the house to prevent exhaust fumes from entering through windows, doors, and air conditioners.
Change the engine oil, carburetor air filter, fuel filter, and spark plug regularly according to the owner’s manual.

Both Briggs and Stratton and Generac home generators offer a wide range of generators suitable for use in the home.

Please also do take a minute to look at the video below.

Whether you are looking for fixed propane generators of propane portable generators, make sure to do your homework, a generator is a big and can also be a very wise investment for your home and family.