Portable Generators vs Standby Generators

Standby generators are often the first choice if you’re looking to power up your home during a blackout or other emergency. But if you need something that can be moved around easily, like camping trips or tailgating at the game, portable generators may be better suited to your needs. Read on to find out more about what’s essential when deciding which type of generator is right for your needs. 

The question of whether portable or standby generators are best depends on what type of use they will get and where you plan to put them. Portable models are typically lighter weight and easier to transport; these types of generators can also be used outdoors because there’s no gas tank involved.

Why Would You Need a Generator? 

Generators have an endless number of use cases, from large organisations to residential homes and businesses. Generators are a great way to provide primary or backup power in almost any location or in any situation. 

One of the essential uses for generators is to provide backup power during a blackout or severe weather event. Ensuring you have access to electricity for heating and communication is necessary for an emergency. 

Standby Generator

A standby generator is a stationary generator designed to provide backup power in the case of an emergency or blackout. Standby generators come in various sizes and power outputs and can be used in everything from a residential home to an industrial facility. During the installation of a standby generator, your natural gas line will be used to power the generator, meaning you will run on your generator for as long as needed as long as you have a gas supply. 

Advantages 

When it comes to the advantages of standby generators, one of the largest is the versatility of capacity. No organisation is too large for a standby generator. Thanks to the automatic activation feature on most modern generators, you are guaranteed to have almost uninterrupted power regardless of your work. Depending on where you live, you may be eligible for a discount on your home insurance if you have a standby generator at your home. 

Disadvantages

As great as standby generators are, there are a couple of notable disadvantages. Firstly there is the initial cost of the generator, and the installation can be pretty complex. Additionally, standby generators must be maintained regularly by trained professionals. Finally, suppose you choose a generator that runs on diesel rather than natural gas. In that case, you must remember to have the generator fueled ready for use and arrange a supply of fuel during the use of the generator. 

Portable Generator

A portable generator serves a very similar purpose to any generator. That is to provide electricity during a blackout or remote local. A portable generator is not installed in a fixed location to be quickly shut down and moved to a new location. A portable generator is ideal for low energy demand situations or when a high level of mobility is required. 

Advantages 

The first and potentially most significant advantage of a portable generator is a simple fact that your can that it was ever you need power. A portable generator is exceptionally versatile, from camping trips to remote working environments and gardening and property renovations. Additionally, a portable generator can be a far cheaper alternative to a permanently installed generator. Finally, owning a portable generator ensures you will have power in emergencies without relying on external assistance. 

Disadvantages

Portable generators are a fantastic option for many reasons; however, like with anything, there will always be disadvantages. Firstly during use, you must ensure you have sufficient ventilation for the exhaust. Unlike an installed generator, the exhaust will not be funnelled away from the generator. Another significant disadvantage compared to a standby generator is that a portable generator will not automatically start when a power cut is detected. You will need to start the generator manually and connect the generator to the equipment you need. 

 

The bottom line is this – if you want peace of mind during a storm or other natural disaster, you need a portable generator with gas storage tanks on hand at all times. So which do you choose? Standby generators are more expensive, but they will keep your house powered even when the power goes out from an outage or storm. Portable generators don’t require any outside source of electricity to operate – just hook them up to your home’s electrical system via an extension cord and plugin. If you still have questions about generators contact our great team today.