Generators

A generator is a device that takes mechanical energy from the outside source as its input and transforms it into electrical energy as its end-product. Home generators are gaining popularity, and you will be able to understand its worth only when your home has its power cut due to bad weather or any natural disaster. Generators provide heat, light, and electricity until the power is restored.

How do generators work?
Many of us confuse generators as an appliance that creates electrical energy, but in reality, it is the other way around. The generator doesn’t create electrical power. Rather, it utilizes the mechanical energy provided to it by the external source, which forces the electric chargers in the wire to move. The flow of the electric charge makes up for the output as the electrical current provided by the generator.
In modern times, generators are designed to work on the principle of electromagnetic induction discovered by Michael Faraday. He discovered that an electrical conductor, such as a wire containing electric charge, could be moved in a magnetic field, then a voltage difference will be created between both ends of the wire or any electrical conductor in general. As a result, this starts the flow of electric charges and creates an electric current.
Imagine yourself eagerly waiting for the summer season. Since it not only brings out the best of you but some very delicious fruitful tastes follow along. Moreover, summer brings with it those beautiful, colorful flowers, and you just can’t resist yourself from going to the beach and get the maximum vitamin D and especially a perfectly natural body tan to flex.
As the summer season reaches its peak, so does hurricane season and the subsequent power outages. Wherever you go when the electricity is out, you’ll desperately wish for your power to come back to turn the air conditioning back on. It’s easy to take electricity for granted, and the effects of the power going out can really be felt in overheated areas. But fortunately, the new inventions of the modern-day have got you all covered up for such situations like these. The phenomenal invention of generators has got your back, which is a means of providing short-lived electricity in the times of blackouts in your house.

What types of generators are there?
There is quite a long list when it comes to generators because there are different types of generators for domestic use and industrial use. Each kind of generator is having its own specifications, like uses, quality, disadvantages, and advantages.
1. Diesel Generators:
Another name for diesel generator is Diesel Genset. These generators operate on the fuel diesel, which comes with the edge that it is the least flammable fuel. A diesel generator is a combination of a diesel engine and an electric motor which will help in producing electricity. Diesel-compression ignition engines are mainly focused on working with diesel fuel, but also with natural gas and other fuels. They have a fantastic long life even under heavy and rigorous use.
Pros
- They have low maintenance.
- They are quite durable and have a long life.
- They are highly affordable.
- They have high efficiency.
- They are easy to operate and, even in cold areas.
- They have a low running cost.
Cons
- They are not fitted for wet environments because the moisture in the atmosphere could ruin the engine.
- They discharge emissions that are harmful to the atmosphere.
2. Gasoline Generators:
One of the most distinctive features of gasoline generators is that they are available in small sizes. They are known for their portability and that they are compact.
Due to their small sizes, they can be used in households, worksites, and even campsites. However, these generators need a lot of maintenance if you want them to last long, and they are also not suitable if you require a lot of power. A critical downfall of a gasoline generator is that they cause noise pollution. Despite these facts, gasoline generators are still the most-used type of generators.
Standby Gasoline generators are the best choice for homes as they have the capability of high-end products and relevantly less amount of gas and noise pollution.
Pros
- They are considerably inexpensive.
- They are extremely portable.
Cons
- They release heavy emissions.
- They are a medium of noise pollution.
- They do not operate well, and they do not give out the best efficiency in cold atmospheres.
3. Inverter Generators:
Inverter Generators are noise friendly and are very quiet even during operation. Such types of generators have an alternator that produces an AC (Alternating Current) supply of power and turns it into DC (Direct Current) power by using a rectifier. It then converts back to AC. They use high-end technology, such as advanced electronic circuitry and magnets. The main feature of such a generator is that they adjust the speed of their engine according to the power needed, which makes them highly energy-efficient. They are 20 percent more fuel-effective and produce electricity that is safe to be required for sensitive electronic devices like laptops and smartphones.
Pros
- They run quieter, longer, and display their performance the maximum.
- They do not need frequent refills, nor do they release so much emission.
Cons
- They are a burden on your wallet.
- They are not powerful to provide for heavy machinery, tools, and even large houses.
4. Portable Generators:
Portable generators run on gas or diesel and are the best choice for short-lived electrical power. Their system includes a combustion engine to produce electricity. The engine in the portable generators turns a small turbine and creates electricity. These generators come with the facility of working in two different ways. One way is that you can professionally plug the wires in the main sub-panel of your home. Another way is that you plug the wires of your desired electrical appliances directly into the power socket of the generator.
Portable generators are used by construction teams even in remote areas. These are also used by households and business owners when the electricity goes out for a short period of time.
Pros
- They are the best option, even if you have a low budget.
- They are very well-suited for areas where other power sources fail to work well.
Cons
- They need protection against changing weather conditions.
- They can’t be operated for a home or garage.
5. Standby Generators:
Standby generators are also addressed as emergency power systems or backup generators. They start automatically and run on diesel or gas. With that being said, it needs a refill after 48 hours. These generators switch on their own when the power goes out. This device has a skid with which a robust commercial engine is attached. Along with the skid, there is a radiator, an onboard fuel tank, and a large alternator. They also have an inside combustion engine. These generators respond to the power loss within seconds.
Such generators are mainly used for safety systems, including elevators, life and medical support appliances, fire protection systems, and standby lights.
Pros
- They assure automatic switching, so you don’t have to worry about when the power goes out.
- They provide a constant flow of power, which is very advantageous when you need to fix a permanent power outage.
Cons
- They can be expensive, especially when you use one for your whole area.
- They are in need of regular and thorough maintenance in case of engine malfunctions.

Maintenance
Just like everything, even generators need maintenance because if you do not care for things, they will be worn out after some time. So, we have some handy tips for the maintenance of generators.
a. Keep checking up on the coolant levels at different intervals.
b. Make sure to clean and filter the generators regularly because generators are used every other day, so you need to make sure to clean any clogged fuel filters and fuel lines.
c. As the generators are used almost every day, the battery may fail earlier. This is why you need to look out for the batteries.
d. You must perform the customary tests of the generators to know the battery status, electrolyte levels, and the gravity of the batteries.

What is the typical life expectancy of generators?
Under normal conditions, a generator can last as long as 20 years. In case of frequent usage, life expectancy can decrease, sometimes a drastic decrease. However, you can always maximize the life of generators by regular maintenance.

How much do generators cost?
The cost of a generator varies from one another. The cost of each generator depends upon a number of things like technical characteristics of the model, type of generator, size of the generator, the brand of the generator, and the wattage of the generator. Here, we have gathered the estimated costs of the types of generators mentioned above.
- Diesel Generator:
The average cost of the diesel generator is around $3000 - $15,000.
- Gasoline Generator:
The average cost of a gasoline generator is around $500 - $3,000.
- Inverter Generator:
The average cost of an inverter generator is around $400 - $5000.
- Portable Generator:
The average cost of a portable generator is around $300 - $6000.
- Standby Generator:
The average cost of a standby generator is approximately $2,500 to a few hundred dollars.

How much does it cost to install a generator?
Usually, the homeowners are paying in the range of $1,348 and $7298 for the installation of home generators. Including all the pricing variables, the average cost of the overall project can be $4,323. The cost can fluctuate between $400 to as much as $9,500.

DIY or Hire a Pro?
It is not advisable at all to try and install a generator yourself, handling concrete padding, attaching it to the utility grid, and then to the home wires. The only DIY generators are the small portable ones. They do not necessarily require professional help. On the other hand, if you are planning to install the permanent unit, the never hesitate to call the professionals. They can also help you with choosing the right fit in terms of size and power, meeting your power needs correctly.