A steady power supply is easy to take for granted until a storm, bushfire or grid fault cuts it off. In much of rural and regional Australia, a home generator is the difference between keeping the fridge, lights and water pump running through an outage and going without.

This home generator buying guide covers the three main types, how to size one for your house, the fuel options, and the safety points that matter, so you can choose the right generator the first time

What Is a Generator?

Simply put, a generator is a device that can transform motive power into electricity for home use. That way, you can power most or all of your home in the event of an emergency. This device can also come in handy when working on various tasks in your garage, for instance.

No homeowner should be without at least one generator since its function is essential.

Types of Home Generators

Before you click a button and buy generators for home, you should familiarize yourself with the three main types. The last thing you'd want is to get something you don't need, or that doesn't have the features you hoped for.

It's also a good idea to spend time reading online reviews. Aside from the function and features, it's worth having peace of mind that the quality is worth the investment.

1. Inverter Generator

If your home generator provider doesn't have at least a few inverter models in stock, then it's worth looking elsewhere. Many people love this option because inverter generators run as quietly as possible. If you've heard the sound of a running generator, you'll know they can get quite loud.

An inverter generator is often considered the best generator for home use because of its efficiency. However, since the engine tends to be more complicated than other generator types, you should expect to pay more for it.

2. Standby Generator

If you have plenty of wiggle room in your budget, then you could even invest in a standby generator. Although this is the most expensive option, this type is often considered one of the most convenient home backup generators.

As the name suggests, a standby generator will wait to turn on at the drop of a hat when your home loses power. That way, there's no interruption. Plus, these generator types generate more power than the others.

3. Portable Generator

The best portable generator is one that you can easily move around because it has wheels. Some of the heftier portable generators can sometimes be a bit tricky when moving. However, they are still more convenient than being without power. Most portable generators take petrol, so you'll need to have some stored away if you want to use the generator.

When comparing generator costs, you'll notice that portable generators often cost less than the other options. But, of course, the exact price will depend on size, wattage, brand, and other factors.

Important Considerations

Whether you're shopping for portable generators in Australia or elsewhere, there are universal considerations that you can't ignore. If you buy something without looking at these crucial features, you could end up with a product that doesn't suit your needs.

1. Safety

A home generator is often a safe device, but only if used as intended. For instance, a petrol-powered generator inside the home can fill your rooms with deadly exhaust. These types of generators must be put outside with wires running into the house.

Each generator has its own safety precautions that you should read about in the manual that comes with it. Be sure to share this manual with anyone who plans on using your generator.

2. Power Requirements

A portable power generator is great for lighting up parts of a large house or even all of a small house. The exact amount of power you'll need will depend on your house size, what you intend to use it for, and more.

Keep in mind that big appliances draw the most power, such as fridges, ovens and pumps. Small portable generators start at around 800 to 1,000 watts, while large home standby units run to about 15,000 to 20,000 watts. Industrial generators go higher, but they are well beyond home use.

3. Primary Usage

If you're still unsure about what home generator is best for your needs, it's worth considering what you need it for the most. For example, if it's just to keep the fridge running during a brief power outage, then you probably won't need something that's more than 1,000 watts.

However, a big house with multiple appliances running might require around 7,500 watts or more.

4. Fuel Source

As you shop for portable generators for sale, you should also keep the fuel source in mind. We mentioned petrol before, but there are other fuel sources too.

For instance, some can run on propane, natural gas, and even diesel. When it comes to propane, you can choose between propane in a gaseous state or a liquified one.

Miscellaneous Features

Are you wondering what other home generator features you should consider? While the following features aren't as essential as the ones mentioned above, they can make a difference in convenience. For instance, not all generators come with a fuel gauge, making it difficult to know whether or not you need to refill the tank.

Here's a complete list of miscellaneous features you should ask your vendor about:

1. Electric start
2. Automatic start
3. Automatic CO shutoff
4. Fuel gauge
5. Number of outlets
6. Low-oil automatic shutoff

Running Watts vs Starting Watts

Sizing a generator comes down to two numbers. Running watts (or rated watts) is the continuous power an appliance needs once it is going. Starting watts (or surge watts) is the brief spike it draws at switch-on, which for anything with a motor, a fridge, a pump, an air conditioner, can be two to three times its running watts.

To size a generator, add up the running watts of everything you want to power at once, then add the single largest starting-watt figure among them. That total is the minimum the generator must handle. A fridge running at 700 watts might spike to 2,200 watts on start-up, so a generator rated only to the running total will stall the moment the compressor kicks in.

The Best Place to Get Home Generators Online

That's where we come in. We stock respected brands including Champion and Matrix. Browse our full range of petrol generators and inverter generators to compare sizes and features.

Not sure which size suits your home? Get in touch and we'll help you work out the wattage you need.