On average, Americans face two power outages a year; 22% have experienced three or more in the last 12 months.
For some, power outages are merely annoying, but easy to cope with, especially since they don’t last long. But for others, they can cause huge disruptions and even fatalities.
If you fall into the latter group, then you’ll want a good multi-fuel generator to get you through the tough times. Here’s what to consider when purchasing one.
Determine Your Power Requirements
To get a better idea of which generator you should buy, you should determine your power requirements first.
Sit down and list the essential appliances and devices you’ll need to run during an outage. Then, calculate the total wattage to run all of them simultaneously. This number will give you a rough idea of which generators will have adequate power outputs.
Research Your Multi-Fuel Options
To keep your search focused, stick to generators specifically labeled as “multi-fuel” or “dual-fuel”. They should be able to run gasoline, propane, natural gas, or diesel.
Before looking at these choices, determine what fuel type you’d like to use. Factors to consider include cost, safety, ease of storage, and environmental impact. Picking a fuel type that’s readily accessible is also beneficial, as it’ll be easier to get during emergencies.
Researching both multi-fuel generators and the fuel types can help you make a better-informed decision, especially if you want to use a generator refueling service.
Assess the Features
Next, assess the features of the models you’re interested in. In general, you’ll want to focus on usability and safety.
Important features you should look for include electric start, low-oil shutoff, fuel gauges, and circuit breaker protection. In addition, find out the generators’ runtime and fuel efficiency. Getting one with longer runtimes means you won’t have to refuel as frequently, which is handy during extended power outages.
If noise is something you’re bothered by, then check the decibel rating too.
Read Review and Ratings
If, say, you’re interested in a particular dual-fuel generator, don’t pull the trigger just yet. Instead, look for customer reviews and ratings so you can learn how well it performs and how reliable it is too. And if you’re concerned about generator maintenance, there’s a good chance the reviews will give you those details as well.
Keep your eyes peeled for reviews that say the generator broke within a few times of use. You’ll want to avoid following in their footsteps with a bad purchase.
Ensure You Pick the Right Multi-Fuel Generator
Having a multi-fuel generator is very handy when a power outage strikes. Not only can it take different types of fuel, but it can also get you through what would literally be dark times.
So before the next outage hits, purchase a portable generator. It’ll be worth every penny spent when you don’t have to suffer interruptions in your life when the power cuts out.
Keep reading our blog page for more helpful tips.
