If you’ve ever gone without power for any length of time, you know just how big of a hardship it can cause. From spoiled groceries to uncomfortable indoor temperatures, it can be a lot. However, some homeowners in areas that commonly lose power have a secret weapon at their disposal by way of a whole house generator.
These massive units can power your home when the power goes out, sometimes automatically kicking on as soon as the electricity turns off. But not everyone can afford one of these systems, so some folks just opt for smaller options to power the essentials.
But knowing just how much power you’ll need in a power outage can be tricky, which is why one Redditor turned to the r/Generator forum to ask for advice.
In typical Reddit fashion, people quickly responded to the query from user Zer0C00L321, giving some solid advice on both sizes and models, unintentionally giving the rest of us a cheat sheet should we ever need to buy a generator of our own.
The Redditor Says They Just Need to Power a Few Items in a Pinch
The Redditor shared the question online, asking for advice for a 6,000-BTU window unit and a full-sized refrigerator from 1985. “Can someone recommend a generator that should be able to run a window AC unit and refrigerator in the case of a power outage,” they asked, adding that the power outages were becoming more frequent where they lived.
Redditors quickly jumped in with some suggestions, letting the OP know that they could easily get by with a small-sized system known as a suitcase generator. “2000 watts is all you need,” one person wrote, adding that they could run the same combo plus a few other things using one of this size.
When it comes to the fuel type, Reddit was a little more divided. It looks like some common choices involve gas, propane, or dual options. While many people liked the dual choice (you pay more upfront but then you have the convenience of switching types if you need to), propane seemed like a close runner-up, even though it costs more than traditional gas.
One person even posted that propane burns cleaner, runs slightly quieter, and fuel can be stored indefinitely if you need to. “No cycling fresh gas every few months, no clogged carburetors when you need it most. I keep one tank on the grill and two spares. It is easier to get propane tanks filled during an extended outage as well.”
You Need to Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions
The American Red Cross says that there are some hard and fast safety rules you need to follow when it comes to generators. First, you need to pick out a generator that can produce more amps than you think you’ll need in order to run the things you want to. Second, never run a generator indoors or inside any enclosed space.
Lastly, it’s extremely important to follow your manufacturer’s instructions, especially when it comes to fueling, water exposure, and ventilation. If you do all of that, having a generator at home could help keep you safe and comfortable during an extended power outage.