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Whole house generators are powered by car-like engines and will ensure that electricity remains in your house in the event of a black out. Whole house generators are large and will power your entire house, hence the name. Whole house generators are liquid cooled, causing them to run cooler and last longer than smaller, air-cooled generators.
Selecting the right whole house generator for your needs is easy when broken down into two steps, selecting the right size, and then the right series.
Selecting the right sized whole house generator:
Whole house generators come in 4 basic sizes, ranging from 22-48 KW. You should determine your size based off of the amount of power your house consumes. In the United States, the maximum amount of electric power your house can consume is 200-amps.
Though your home rarely uses all 200 amps at once, if you want to be sure that you will have maximum power, you require a 48 KW generator that will produce 200 amps. In most cases, choosing a smaller whole house generator will save you money and will still power your entire home.
Different generator brands will offer different series, but here are a few things to know that apply across the board:
If you are looking for a commercial generator to power your whole home, you are in the wrong place. Commercial generators produce way more watts than are necessary to power any home, and instead are meant for places like hospitals and restaurants that run much more electricity than the average home.
Focus your attention on four 120/240 volt, single phase models. Anything that says "three phrase" is too large for your needs. One add-on that is worth the expense, though, is an aluminum enclosure. Aluminum enclosures will protect your outdoor whole house generator from the elements and will prevent surges. Instead of getting a generator that is too large for your needs, scale down to a smaller generator and add an aluminum enclosure.
Following these tips will ensure that you choose the best whole house generator for your needs and will keep you and your investments protected should you lose electricity for any reason.
