The inverter generators are a solution for the homeowners for the safety of their appliances. Their output of voltages is clean and suitable for all kinds of appliances. They are an upgrade to conventional generators.
Whenever there’s an outage, generators become primary source to power the houses. But most owners get worried about their electronic appliances. Conventional generators have voltage spikes that can damage these appliances. Therefore, inverter generators become handy.
These generators have become a perfect solution for modern houses, where the electronics use microprocessors. This way, even the most sensitive appliances won’t get damaged through it.
When choosing a new inverter generator as a backup power supply, you need to consider some things. What are these things, and how will they affect your generator selection? We’ll explain them all in detail.
What To Consider When Choosing the Best Inverter Generator?
The first thing you need to consider is, how much power do you need?
For this, you’ll have to calculate appliances’ consumption watts. Then sum up all the watts. If your total consumption is around 2000 watts, then a 2500 watts inverter generator will be suitable for you.
With inverter generators, you need to consider the runtime of the generator. The inverter generators are small in size compared to conventional generators. That’s why their fuel tanks are smaller compared to them too. To overcome this, inverter generators can control the engine’s speed for fuel efficiency.
Although they are fuel-efficient, with a small tank, they can’t run for a long time. That’s why the run time of these inverter generators is important to consider. Be prepared to have extra gas cans when using the generator for a long time.
What Are the Key Differences Between an Inverter Generator and Conventional Portable Generator?
Portability:
The inverter generators are compact and lightweight. You can easily move them from one place to another without any issue. In comparison, the conventional generators are usually larger.
It can be a huge downside when buying these generators as they are large and heavy. Moreover, it takes away the portability benefit from conventional generators.
Output:
As the conventional generators are larger, they can produce a high amount of currents. As a result, they can power a complete house.
Whereas the inverter generators, due to their small sizes, cannot produce high output. Their output is lower because of how they produce the current. They have a disadvantage compared to conventional generators.
Quality of Current Supplied:
The inverter generators use a different method to produce AC electricity. AC is generated from the generator. It is then converted into DC and then back into AC electricity with the help of an inverter. This helps in producing a constant voltage in the electricity supply.
Whereas in the conventional generators, the raw AC with voltage spikes produced by these generators is directly supplied to appliances. This is why, with the inverter generators, you can easily power the sensitive appliances. But with conventional generators, the AC can damage your electronics.
Efficiency:
Inverter generators use a microprocessor to control the engine. As a result, the engine will slow down a little if you need to power small appliances that don’t use that much power. And if required, the engine can give higher outputs. Thus, the engine doesn’t consume that much fuel when needed.
In contrast, conventional generators run at the same speed, even if it’s running a single light bulb. There is no concept of fuel efficiency in conventional generators.
Noise Output:
As the inverter generators can control their engine’s speed, they don’t generate that much noise. Whereas in the conventional generators, they always work at full speed, the noise output is high.
When To Choose an Inverter Generator?
Inverter generators have many advantages compared to conventional generators. They are quieter, more fuel-efficient. Not only that, the inverter generators are compact and lightweight.
If you have any sensitive electronics that need a clean power supply, then an inverter generator is suitable. Overall, these generators are more environmentally friendly compared to conventional generators.
The disadvantage of getting an inverter generator is that they cost a lot more than a conventional generator of the same output. And they don’t have as much power output compared to the traditional generators.
With all these advantages and disadvantages, the question arises when to choose an inverter generator. Well, they are suitable for occasional usage and outdoor activities.
These generators are the best choice when you don’t need that much power. But the current supply needs to be clean and distortion-free.
Can I Power My House with An Inverter Generator?
The output from these inverter generators is lower compared to conventional generators. But, due to the electrical appliances, such as LED lights, TV, computer, etc., these are preferred. But keep in mind, as the inverter generators are smaller in size, so are their fuel tanks. So keep a few extra cans of gas for refueling them.
Will A 12000-Watt Generator Run a House?
In the event of a power outage, you can use an inverter generator to power your home. A 12,000-watt generator can power essential appliances at your home. They can easily power appliances such as a fridge, sump pump, space heaters, etc. These generators are powerful enough to run these essential appliances at once.
In addition to these, the 12,000-watt generator can run light bulbs, fans, and all appliances at once.
Unlike the smaller generators, you can plug these generators into your electrical system. They require a transfer switch to switch from utility line to generator’s supply.
How Many Watts Do You Need To Power A House?
To determine the size of the generator required to power a house, you need to follow the following steps:
- Separate the essential appliances from casual appliances. Make sure that these appliances are necessary even in case of an outage. These can include refrigerators, sump pumps, tube lights, etc.
- Figure out the starting wattages of these appliances. You can find it on the packaging or the owner manual of such appliances. Then add these starting wattages up. It will give you a starting wattage of such appliances.
- The next step will be, to sum up, the running wattages of these appliances.
- Then, add both the starting and running wattages of these appliances. This will give you the final wattage required to power your house.
What Can We Use Instead of an Inverter?
Instead of an inverter, you can use an automatic voltage regulator. The AVR regulates the spiking voltages from your generators. However, this refined voltage is not as perfect as that of inverter generators. But it is useful enough for electronic appliances.
What Size Generator Do You Need to Power a House?
To power a home in outages, you need at least 12,000-watt generators. This ensures that the generator is powerful enough to power 2-3 essential appliances at once so that you don’t have to worry about anything in outages.
Why Are Inverter Generators So Quiet?
Inverter generators use a microprocessor to regulate the generator’s engine. This microprocessor controls the speed of the engine according to its needs. That’s why the inverter generators are comparatively quiet than conventional generators.
Are UPS And Inverter the Same?
The UPS stores electric supply in its batteries as DC. Then converts this DC back into AC and then supplies to the appliances. In contrast, the inverter can convert AC into DC or DC into AC. But they cannot store power like the UPS.
Can A 1000w Inverter Run a Fridge?
1,000-watt inverter generators produce sufficient current to run a refrigerator. But, the problem is that it won’t be enough even to start the refrigerator. They have a starting wattage of 1,200 watts. Meanwhile, the generators have their peak running wattage rating.
Conclusion
Inverter generators are fuel-efficient, quiet, and compact. But here’s a catch. They cost much more than regular generators. A conventional generator as expensive as an inverter generator will output much higher wattages.
But even as technology is improving, so are the inverter generators. Every new generation of these generators is getting cheaper and much more efficient. These generators are quite helpful and can end up saving you tons by protecting your appliances.
