Generator Buying Guide

Last updated June 21,

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A generator can keep your home or business running through a blackout or make it easier to power your grill at the big game. Finding the best generators for your needs starts with thinking about power output capabilities, fuel sources and the wattages required for appliances or tools. There are many types of generators to choose from. Whether you're looking for a 220-volt generator for camping, convenient battery generators or solar generators, this guide gives you the facts so you can select the best generator for you.

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Table of Contents

1. What is a Generator?

2. How Much Generator Power Do You Need?

3. Best Generators for Home

4. Best Portable Generators

5. Best Inverter Generators

6. Types of Generator Fuel

What is a Generator?

A generator is a machine that turns mechanical energy into electrical energy. It provides electricity to devices and appliances when you are not connected to the power grid. Generators are important emergency safety equipment
during natural disasters
such as hurricanes and snowstorms, or during any power outage. Having the best generators for your home will allow you to keep
on lights, important appliances, essential medical equipment
and your home’s heat. If you live in an area that gets frequent but short outages, a generator can ease the inconvenience and ensure your day is never interrupted by an unexpected blackout.

Smaller generators are also useful for powering
RVs, boats and
workshops without electrical wiring. Keep a portable generator on hand for activities like tailgating and camping, when you may need to
power small appliances or charge devices.

How Much Generator Power Do You Need?

There are three basic types of generators: whole house generators, portable generators and inverter generators.

• Inverter generators are ideal for camping, boating and other recreational activities. They operate more quietly than other generators and provide power for lights, heaters, fans, radios, smart phones and more.
• Whole house generators (home standby generators) are the best generators for home use. They are designed to provide ample power for your appliances and HVAC systems.
• Portable generators are often used on job sites to power air compressors, nail guns, saws, hammer drills and other equipment. Most are loud, but there are quiet portable generators too.

Best Generators for Home

Whole house generators, or home standby generators, keep your home's systems and appliances powered up whenever you get separated from the power grid.

* Get automatic backup power in seconds during an outage with the best emergency generator for your needs.

• Whole house generators provide blackout protection seven days a week, 24-hours a day and are permanently installed.
• You can operate the machine using an existing fuel supply such as natural gas or liquid propane.
• Whole house generators are flexible enough to power your entire home or just supply power to a few designated circuits.
• When choosing the best generator for home backup, consider models with special features that run the unit more quietly or conduct weekly, self-diagnostic tests.

Best Portable Generators

Popular on job sites, portable generators provide limited power for small, short-term use. For greater efficiency and longer run time, choose auto-idle to idle the engine down when it's not in use.

Here are the approximate wattages of common tools:

• Chain Saw: -W
• Circular Saw: -W
• Drill (depends on size): 250-W
• String Trimmer: 600-W
• Hedge Clippers: 300-W
• Leaf Blower: -
• Planer: 300-900W
• Sanders: 250-W
• Router: 100-W
• Shop Vacuum: 700-W
• Paint Sprayer: 500-W
• Miter Saw: 500-W

For more exact wattage amounts, see your specific tool manual.

Tip: The best portable generators for home use will have a 12-volt outlet that makes it easier to charge smart phones and other wireless devices.

Best Inverter Generators

Known for their lower noise levels, quiet inverter generators are lightweight and easy to transport. They use an engine connected to an alternator to produce AC power and convert it to DC power. DC power can be stored, which makes an inverter one of the best types of generators for traveling in an RV, tailgating, camping or boating.

Here are the approximate wattages for items commonly powered by an inverter generator:

• Lights: 250W
• Fan: 100W
• Space Heater: W
• Hot Plate: W
• Crock Pot: W
• Television: 250W

For more exact wattage amounts, see your specific appliance manual.

Tip: You can usually connect two inverter generators together for twice the power.

Types of Generator Fuel

When choosing between types of generators, consider the types of fuel each generator will need. Fuel availability and storage are important factors when maintaining your generator. The generator’s fuel source should be affordable for you and on-hand whenever you need it. Below are the common types of generator fuel:

Gasoline:

• Readily available and easy to purchase, making it a good choice for portable generators.
• Available in 2- to 5-gallon portable cans.
• Lasts for 3 to 6 months when properly stored in an air-tight container.
• Lasts for up to 3 years when properly stored and combined with a fuel stabilizer.
• Gasoline generators should only be used outdoors.

Diesel:

• Offers the most energy per gallon of all generator fuel types.
• Reliable and readily available, making it a good choice for home standby generators or commercial generators.
• Diesel generators perform best when used for big jobs over long periods of time.
• Should only be used outdoors.
• Lasts for 6 months to 1 year when properly stored and without added stabilizers.

Natural gas:

• Most cost-effective and readily available fuels for home standby generators.
• Less energy-efficient per gallon than diesel, gasoline and propane.
• Delivered through natural gas pipelines, so refueling is not necessary. No storage required, making it the most convenient choice for residential and commercial generators.
• Should never be used indoors.
• Supply usually not affected by power outages.

Propane:

• Available as liquid propane or vapor propane.
• Liquid propane does not deteriorate, so it can be stored long-term.
• Clean burning.
• Should never be used indoors.
• Commonly used in inverter generators for RVs, campers and food trucks.

Dual fuel:

• Unique type of generator that can burn gasoline/diesel and has a natural gas hookup.
• Dual-fuel generators are not for use indoors.
• Not a standard type of generator, so not all manufacturers offer dual-fuel models.

Solar generators:

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• Clean, renewable energy for portable generators.
• Can often install more solar panels to increase power output.
• Can safely run indoors, as there are no emissions.
• Dependent on the sun for energy, so not always reliable in an emergency situation.
• Lower power output than other types of generators.

Battery generators:

• Used in battery-powered inverter generators.
• Often combined with solar generators.
• Quiet and safe to run indoors.
• Often take a long time to charge and have a lower power output than other types of generators.

Key Features of the Best Generators

In addition to type, wattage, fuel type and purpose, consider these factors when choosing the best generators for home backup or for portable needs:

• Size: Make sure you have enough space to store both the generator and its fuel.
• Noise: Some generators, particularly diesel-fueled generators, run loudly and can be disruptive. Decide on your noise tolerance when choosing generators. Choose quiet generators if you need to be nearby it while it’s running.
• Price: Typically, the higher the power output, the more expensive a generator is. To save money on your purchase, find a generator that will supply just your basic necessities.
• Check how long the model will run on a full tank or full battery to determine its performance capabilities. This helps you choose the best emergency generator for the duration of your typical power outages.
• Extra features: Some generators have add-on features such as automatic starts, wheels for mobility on portable models, an economy mode, multiple outlets and more. You can also get generator accessories such as weatherproof storage covers and adapters, as well as handle and wheel installation kits.

Safety Tips for Generators

While generators are useful during power outages, natural disasters or when being used to provide power in remote locations, they also need to be handled properly to avoid any injuries or damage. Things to keep top of mind are:

• Purchase the right size generator or the best emergency generator for your needs.
• Keep the generator away from water.
• Always use the proper extension cords.
• Never operate the generator in an enclosed space, as it produces carbon monoxide, which can be harmful.
• Certain fuels can be a safety risk while in storage, and generator emissions can be toxic. Make sure the type of generator you choose is EPA-compliant for your area.

Follow the information on the chart above to ensure safety when using a generator.

To find the best generators for you, start by identifying the main purpose of your generator. From there, you can determine the necessary wattage and the fuel source that best works for you. You can rent a generator from your local Home Depot. Need to transport a generator you've purchased or rented to your home or job site? The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them.

Power outages can disrupt business operations, causing revenue loss and productivity issues. SMEs need reliable emergency power solutions to avoid these risks. Diesel generators are a dependable option for keeping businesses running during unexpected power failures.

Diesel generators provide emergency power to SMEs by ensuring continuous operations during blackouts. They support critical business functions, protect equipment, and maintain customer service without interruption.

SMEs rely on power for daily activities. A sudden outage can halt production, damage inventory, and lead to data loss. Diesel generators prevent these issues by supplying backup power when needed.

1. Backup Power for Retail Businesses

Retail stores depend on electricity for lighting, payment systems, and refrigeration. A power outage can stop sales, damage perishable goods, and reduce customer satisfaction. Diesel generators keep operations running, preventing losses.

Retail businesses use diesel generators to power cash registers, lighting, and refrigeration units during outages. This ensures seamless transactions and prevents inventory spoilage.

How Diesel Generators Support Retail Businesses

• Uninterrupted Sales: Powering POS systems allows continuous transactions.
• Preserving Perishable Goods: Supermarkets and grocery stores protect their inventory.
• Security Maintenance: Surveillance cameras and alarm systems remain functional.

At Walt Power Generators, we understand the importance of reliable power in retail settings. Our diesel generators offer the robust performance that retail businesses need, ensuring minimal downtime during power failures.

A diesel generator ensures retail stores can operate even during prolonged outages. Without backup power, businesses risk losing customers and revenue. Investing in a reliable generator prevents disruptions and maintains customer trust.

2. Ensuring Power in Small Manufacturing Units

Manufacturing businesses rely on power for machinery, production lines, and quality control systems. An outage can halt production, delay orders, and cause financial losses. Diesel generators provide emergency power to keep factories running.

Diesel generators power manufacturing equipment, reducing downtime and preventing production losses. They ensure operational continuity during unexpected power failures.

The Role of Diesel Generators in Manufacturing

Business Aspect Impact Without Backup Power Solution with Diesel Generators Production Lines Delayed operations Continuous workflow Machinery & Equipment Idle and unproductive Maintains efficiency Order Fulfillment Missed deadlines On-time delivery

At Walt Power Generators, we offer diesel generators designed to withstand the demanding environments of manufacturing. Our products ensure that your operations remain steady, even in the face of unexpected outages.

A power failure can lead to wasted raw materials and dissatisfied clients. Diesel generators minimize these risks, ensuring smooth manufacturing processes. This makes them an essential investment for small factories.

3. Reliable Energy for Small Offices

Offices depend on electricity for computers, communication tools, and data storage. An outage disrupts operations, affects productivity, and leads to missed deadlines. Diesel generators help maintain workflow.

Diesel generators keep essential office equipment running, preventing work stoppages and communication breakdowns during blackouts.

Key Benefits of Backup Power for Offices

• Uninterrupted Internet Access: Keeps online communications and cloud storage accessible.
• Continuous Workflows: Computers, printers, and servers stay operational.
• Avoiding Data Loss: Prevents sudden shutdowns that can erase important files.

At Walt Power Generators, we understand how critical continuous power is for office operations. Our diesel generators are ideal for keeping your office systems running smoothly, even when the grid goes down.

An office without power is unproductive. Employees cannot complete tasks, and business operations slow down. A diesel generator ensures that SMEs remain functional during power outages.

4. Emergency Power for Healthcare Clinics

Small healthcare facilities rely on electricity for medical equipment, patient records, and refrigeration of medicines. Power failures can endanger patient care and lead to financial losses.

Diesel generators provide emergency power for healthcare clinics, ensuring life-saving equipment and critical systems remain operational during outages.

Why Backup Power Is Essential for Healthcare

• Maintains Medical Equipment: Powering ventilators, monitors, and diagnostic tools.
• Preserves Medications: Keeps vaccines and medicines at the required temperature.
• Ensures Lighting & Communication: Critical for patient care and emergency response.

When healthcare clinics experience power failures, the consequences can be severe. Walt Power Generators' diesel generators ensure that essential medical services continue without interruption. With our backup power solutions, patient safety remains a top priority.

Without power, clinics may have to turn away patients or compromise care quality. A diesel generator ensures that healthcare services continue without interruption.

5. Powering Hospitality Businesses

Hotels, restaurants, and event venues rely on electricity for customer service, kitchen operations, and entertainment. A power failure can disrupt business and lead to customer dissatisfaction.

Diesel generators provide reliable backup power to hospitality businesses, ensuring smooth operations and guest comfort during power outages.

How Diesel Generators Benefit Hospitality

Business Area Impact of Power Outage Diesel Generator Advantage Hotel Services Guest discomfort, cancellations Consistent power for HVAC, elevators, and lighting Restaurants Food spoilage, lost orders Keeps kitchens and refrigerators running Events & Conferences Disruptions, unhappy clients Maintains lighting, sound systems, and catering services

Walt Power Generators is proud to offer diesel generator solutions tailored for the hospitality sector. Our generators keep hotel services, restaurants, and event venues running smoothly, ensuring that your customers are never left in the dark.

A reliable power backup solution ensures guests have a seamless experience. Without it, businesses risk negative reviews and lost revenue.

Conclusion

Diesel generators provide essential backup power for SMEs across different industries. They ensure business continuity, protect equipment, and prevent financial losses during power outages. Investing in a generator keeps operations running smoothly, securing revenue and customer trust. For businesses looking for a trusted emergency power solution, Walt Power Generators offers high-quality diesel generators that meet your needs anytime, anywhere.

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