San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
BE PREPARED WHEN POWER GOES OUT
Aportable generator is great a backup during an outage; keeping a light on for safety and the refrigerator running
Power outages are no picnic. They can lead to refrigerator food spoilage, indoor climate discomfort, the inability to communicate with loved ones, and trips, falls, and accidents suffered while stumbling around in the dark. That’s why it’s best to have a contingency plan in the form of a portable generator that you can put into operation quickly the next time your juice gets cut off.
“Power lines can come down due to all kinds of reasons, but especially in winter when storms are bigger and it is much colder outside. Having a portable generator on standby give you some peace of mind that you and your family will stay warm and safe if your power is disrupted — particularly during the lingering pandemic, when more people are working from home,” said Charlie Williams, resident expert at Workshopedia, based in London.
Portable generators are also useful on road trips and camping adventures.
Portability means flexibility, which comes in handy when you want to run an extension cord to an appliance like the refrigerator or a space heater that needs power.
“Having a portable generator will make surviving a common power outage, brownout, storm, natural disaster, or extended grid-down situation less stressful and safer for you and your family,” said Rick Matto,
an emergency preparedness expert and chief editor at Los Angeles-headquartered Appliedsurvival.com. “Having backup electricity will also make sure your home security system is up and running during a time when burglary is more common.” Portable generators typically come in three varieties: gasoline, diesel, or propane fueled; rechargeable-battery powered; and solar powered. Many experts recommend the most popular option – gasoline powered. “A gas-powered generator is best, as gasoline is easily available, you don’t know how long the power will be out for, and batteries can run out fast,” Williams said. “A standard gas-fuel generator will typically use three-quarters of a gallon per hour, depending on what you have plugged into it.” For example, a 2,000-watt unit by Polaris Power provides 7.6 hours of run time at 25 percent capacity, according to Clint Johnson, product leader for Polaris Power, headquartered in Plymouth, Minnesota. Like many portable generators, this unit provides multiple outlets (two USB and four AC receptacles) that can power several devices at once, including a smartphone charger, lamp, desktop computer,
“Gas-powered generators are louder, but they perform better in all weather," Clint Johnson, product leader for Polaris Power
refrigerator and more. “Gas-powered generators are louder, but they perform better in all weather, including hot and cold environments,” Johnson explained. “Battery-power generators don’t need fuel, but you do need to find a method to charge them, and they don’t perform as efficiently in all weather conditions.” “If you maintain and store a portable generator correctly, it can last for decades,” said Matto, who advised storing the device in your garage or garden shed when not in use. “When shopping for a unit, pick a brand that offers a good warranty — most provide between one and five years of warranty protection.” Expect to pay between $200 to well over $1,000 for a portable generator. The more wattage power and features in
cluded, the higher the price. For better results and longevity, “always read the owner’s manual carefully to understand how to operate, maintain, and store the specific generator, which should be kept in a dry place,” Johnson said. Brianne Deerwester, communications coordinator for the Electrical Safety Foundation International in Rosslyn, Virginia, cautioned that improper use and installation of portable generators could cause carbon monoxide poisoning. “When using one, always keep it at least 20 feet away from your home, never operate it in an enclosed space, make sure the generator has three to four feet of clear space above and on all sides for proper ventilation, and keep it away from doors, windows, and vents,” she recommended. “Also, be sure your home has carbon monoxide alarms outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home.”