Generators for power cuts - any buying tips?

[PositivelyGlowing]

Thinking of buying an 'emergency generator' for my 3 bed bungalow, due to my location whenever I get a power cut it can last for a day or two.

Any tips please on what to buy, where to buy, type of generator, etc?

Perhaps there's a web site with some great info?

Thanks

What do you want to run off it?

What can you do without a generator?(Heat, light, cooking, battery power?)

Where will you store it. How can you keep it secure when in use?

The main thing to do is work out what you want to run with it as that will dictate the output you need. The bigger the output the more they weigh (just in case you are thinking of dragging the generator out in time of need). They are also VERY noisy so might annoy neighbours if run after dark.

We haven't got round to connecting ours to the main house power but we just run some extension leads into the house for the freezers and some camping batteries. Went for a petrol one rather than diesel or gas as we always have some petrol hanging around for the mower and strimmer.

Essentials are heating (oil boiler), fridge and freezer. Other issues I can work around more easily (I have a gas hob on my cooker for example, a power bank for recharging the smartphone, etc). But ensuring that the fridge and freezer contents last and the ability to have heating and hot water and the most important.

Essentials are heating (oil boiler), fridge and freezer. These are all in the same area so an extension lead to an outside generator would perhaps work, but are generators okay in the rain? I guess it's possible to buy some kind of custom made cover for the good models that can be used while the generator is running?

Given a choice I'd rather have a dedicated outside socket for it wired into the bungalow's mains wiring and just roll out the generator and plug it in when needed. I'd have to find a good electrician to do that of course.

What make/model do you have?

Speak to an electrician. They'll be able to help you size it, and you're going to need specialist help installing it so that you can switch over without back-feeding the grid.

@PositivelyGlowing I have a Bohmer WX-2500K petrol. Once dragged out we keep it under cover and out of the rain. DH is planning to make a cupboard to muffle the noise a bit. You probably want an external socket if you want to run the heating off one.

It's not the time to be buying one though as they are mostly out of stock at the moment (or very expensive) due to the storm. Amazon seem to be out of most items so give people a month to forget and they should be easier to buy.

Thanks for the info and the tips. :-)

Have you looked at the solar set ups like jackery? Obviously have capacity constraints but a useful cheap(er) option fur running essentials that is easy to move around and isn’t noisy.

I am curious. What is cost of this?

The solar generators? It depends on the size you buy but for a set up that can run a few essentials for a few hours with solar panels to recharge it (obviously only recharging in the day) then you are looking at around £700. They obviously won’t run a whole house.

If you mean what is the cost of a normal generator that will run an entire house it is much higher

No. We have them.

The emergency generator.

My friend has a 22kw generator which will run a small home. It cost about £5k (plus fuel)

Thank you!

A fridge and freezer will generally keep properly cold.for a good 16 hours. The more you keep them closed, the longer they will last. It takes a long time for a full, closed freezer to defrost.

If you have a power cut, a good step is to take out the high use items like milk and butter, plus anything you plan to eat or cook that day. Keep them in a separate cool box with some freezer blocks. Heck of a lot cheaper than trying to keep a fridge going by generator for any power cut under 2 days.