No doubt a Whole House generator is no less than a blessing in blackouts. However, it allows you to perform your daily activities associated with electricity without any interruption.
With many of its benefits, it is better to know what are the pros and cons of a Whole House generator before you make a final decision.
While A Whole House generator brings light to your life during outages and provides you with great peace of mind as well, on the other hand, it is pricey and may cost more fuel than any other generator.
In this article, you’ll go through the major advantages and disadvantages of a Whole House generator in greater detail so you can decide if it’s the correct option for you.
Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents
Whole House Generators: Pros And Cons
When a power outage occurs, Whole House generators may be a wise purchase for homeowners seeking dependable backup power. Hence, they supply continuous electricity to a complete home or business even during long hours of blackout.
Also, they have certain benefits and drawbacks. To help you decide if this kind of backup power system is appropriate for your needs, I will mention both the advantages and disadvantages of these generators in this response.
But before getting straight into it, it is essential to understand what Whole House generators are.
What Is A Whole House Generator?
A Whole Hosue generator is made to power the entire electrical system continuously for several hours. Unlike a Portable generator, it needs no manual startup, rather it automatically transfers the power in seconds.
However, it can run on all types of fuels e.g. propane, natural gas, and diesel. Besides, it is bigger in size and is placed permanently outside in the open air. Also, it is water-resistant and can work even in bad weather conditions.
Moreover, the Whole House generators also come in different sizes and their capacity varies from model to model to meet every type of requirement.
Pros And Cons Of A Whole House Generator
Some of the benefits and downsides of a Whole House generator are listed below to help you make an informed decision:
Pros And Cons
|
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
|
Provides uninterrupted power supply |
A bit noisy |
|
Starts automatically |
More costly than Portable generators |
|
Waterproof enclosure |
Sometimes needs expert installation and maintenance |
|
Very durable |
Bigger in size and requires more space |
|
Requires less maintenance |
Consumes a large amount of fuel |
|
Works in all kinds of weather |
Immovable |
|
Preinstalled heat absorption |
Limited availability |
|
Increases your home’s value |
Can be dangerous if not properly installed |
|
Seamless performance |
May overload electrical circuits and other appliances |
Do You Really Need A Whole House Generator?
The need for a Whole House generator entirely depends on your location, the frequency and duration of power outages in your region, and your personal demands and preferences.
However, if you are facing severe power outages in your locality due to which your daily life gets disturbed, you really need a Whole House generator to keep things working.
On the other hand, if the electricity supply is somewhat stable, there is no need to invest your money in buying it.
Also, keep your load requirement in mind, and don’t forget to calculate it with the generator’s size before you make a purchase.
4 Key Benefits Of Having A Whole House Generator
In the case of an electrical failure, you can make sure that your family is secure, comfortable, and able to go about their everyday lives thanks to a Whole House generator.
However, you may also keep utilizing your necessary appliances, such as refrigeration, medical equipment, and cooling and heating systems even in longer blackouts.
To add more, the four key benefits of owning a Whole House Generator are below:
Less Expensive
While Whole House generators offer sufficient power to your appliances, they are also budget-friendly too. You may be surprised to know that you can also save money by installing these generators yourself.
Interesting? Yes, these generators are quick to install and easy to operate. Since they have a simple operating system, there is no need to hire an expert to make them functional.
Safe And Secure
Unlike portable generators, the Whole House generators are designed with durable and safer materials. Where a liquid-cooled motor prevents your generator from overheating, the reliable and well-packed enclosure also keeps the whole environment clean.
Moreover, as these generators are placed outside your home in the open air, their fully ventilated build keeps the emissions out of your house. Also, their environment-friendly packing makes them a safer choice than ever.
Automatic Power Transfer
The Whole House generators provide you with a non-stop power supply due to their automatic power transfer feature. So, whether there is a sudden power outage or the strong wind interrupts the electricity supply, these generators give a quick power backup.
Furthermore, these generators automatically switch the power supply, so you need not worry about breakdowns even if you are not home. In this way, you don’t have to get them ready for blackouts because they are designed to withstand such situations.
Maximum Power Supply
Since Whole House generators are big in size, they also supply the maximum power your appliances need. However, the use of advanced features in their manufacturing also prevents current fluctuation.
Hence, these generators also provide a seamless power backup solution for prolonged power outages. In fact, their voltage regulation system keeps your appliances safe and functional all the time.
Related: Is It Safe To Backfeed Your House With A Generator?
FAQs
What Is The Lifespan Of A Whole House Generator?
Whole House generators can last for almost 3500 hours if their use is limited and proper. However, you can expand their lifespan by getting them regularly inspected by professionals.
Moreover, their regular maintenance can also help avoid major issues that may reduce their longevity. Hence, the size and the fuel type may also increase or decrease its lifespan.
When Should A Whole House Generator Be Maintained?
Make sure to maintain your Whole House generator on regular basis. Thus, changing of the oil should be ensured after every 100-150 hours of usage. Also, notice if the generator is not working properly, get it immediately examined by an expert.
Furthermore, you should also regularly keep it clean to make it functional for every outage.
Is There Any Difference Between Whole House And Standby Generators?
Whole House generators are bigger and more powerful and can power the entire house during a power loss. Standby generators, on the other hand, can only power a few appliances.
Additionally, unlike Standby generators, the Whole House generators can also give your house a continuous power backup for days or weeks.
Related: Can Portable Solar Generator Run a House?
Final Words
A Whole House generator is a great investment that offers a number of advantages, including a constant source of electricity, a rise in property value, and especially peace of mind.
Whereas the high purchase price, constant maintenance, and more fuel requirements are a few of its disadvantages.
Besides these drawbacks, a Whole House generator is nevertheless a useful investment for homes, particularly in regions vulnerable to power outages or severe weather.
Thus the choice to purchase this generator should ultimately be based on your particular needs and preferences.
