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Portable or Standby Generators: Which Ranks Supreme?
When it comes to being a homeowner in Massachusetts, you have a lot of decisions to make on the daily. What color should you paint the guest bedroom? Which version of tile should you choose for the primary bathroom? Which local landscaper will make your lawn stand out from the rest? Considering which type of generator you want may seem to be just one decision on a long list of priorities—but it’s an important choice, and we’re here to help. In this blog post, we’ll outline the two main types of power generators and take a look at the pros and cons of each. By the end, we’re confident you’ll be able to make a decision that will benefit your family and protect your home at a reasonable price. Let’s dive in.
What is a portable generator?
A portable generator is a piece of equipment that you can store in your garage or shed between uses. When you experience a power outage, you have to wheel it out of storage into a ventilated area, hook it up to your home’s power and a fuel source, and power it on.
What are the pros and cons of a portable generator?
Pros:Portable generators are relatively affordable to install, and they often have outlets that you can use to plug in an extension cord if you choose not to purchase a transfer switch to redirect your home’s power directly.
Cons:Typically, power goes out when the weather is bad—meaning that you wouldn’t want to have to dig around in your garage with a flashlight and then wheel your generator out into the rain or snow to hook it up to your home. Portable generators are also loud and have a lower power output than standby generators. Finally, portable generators don’t offer the personalized backup support of local energy experts who can help if anything were to go awry.
What is a standby generator?
A standby generator, sometimes referred to as a backup generator, is permanently hooked up to your fuel and power supplies. It kicks on automatically in the case of a power outage, giving you seamless home comfort even in the worst weather that the Northeast has to offer.
What are the pros and cons of a standby generator?
Pros: Standby automatic generators pay for themselves in their convenience and safety factors. Forget having to trudge outside in the worst weather and remember how to attach your generator to your home—these are always set up and ready to go. Plus, they produce more power than portable generators and are often more efficient to operate in the long run. Finally, standby generators add value to your home!
Cons: Due to the high levels of power this equipment is capable of producing, the initial purchase price can be slightly higher than a portable generator. The only other con is that your neighbors might be envious that your home has instant backup power the moment your street experiences an outage!
Which generator is the best choice for my MA home?
At Noonan, the safety of our customers always comes first and foremost—that’s why we recommend standby generators to homeowners in Massachusetts. If you were to have a standby generator installed by a Noonan electrical expert, you can trust that you’ll be prepared for the storms yet to come. Contact us for a no-obligation quote on your home’s generator installation, and we’ll give you all the details you need to make an informed decision.