When the electricity goes out, a generator can keep you warm during the winter and cool during the summer. It can keep your food warm and your phones charged. Nowadays, power outages have become tied to extreme weather, making a generator more essential. According to Climate Central, weather-related power outages have increased by 69% in the past decade.

A generator may be a life-saver but it can be dangerous if you do not take safety measures. There are dozens of carbon-monoxide-related accidents related to generators. A generator should be used outside – a minimum of 20 feet away from your home, with the exhaust directed away from the house. Your house should have a working carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home as well.

At Power Systems West, the performance of Kohler Backup Power Generators is tested for performance. Engineers load up each model like a space heater, refrigerator, or air conditioner. They ensure that the generator can handle the load and determine what happens if there is a sudden spike in voltage. They also look at how easy it is to move a generator and how efficiently it uses fuel.

Each generator is run through a series of scenarios to capture how a homeowner might misuse a generator. They are calibrated with carbon monoxide sensors to record CO levels.

Generators are sold by power output, which is measured in watts. The amount of power delivered determines how many appliances you can run at once – about 5,000 watts for a typical home. Generator ratings (delivery and quality of power) are tested and scored to determine how well the generator will run.

Start by making a list of what you want and don’t want while the power is down. Then add the wattages to give you a ballpark figure of what you need. Here are some examples of common essentials:

Refrigerator: 600 watts

Sump pump: 750 to 1,500 watts

Portable heater: 1,500 watts

Window air conditioner: 1,000 watts

Lights: 5 to 80 watts (per bulb)

Computer: 60 to 300 watts

There are four Kohler Backup Power Generators that you can choose from for your home:

  1. Home Standby Generators are permanently installed. They can run on natural gas or propane. They start automatically during an outage.
  2. Portable Generators can be moved around and also come in different sizes. Some are better kept on your property as a backup power source. They have large batteries that store electricity, which can be an option for someone who lives in an apartment.
  3. Inverter Generators. They are much quieter than the traditional generators because they throttle on demand and not on full power at all times. Their sophisticated systems also tamper down the noise. They run more efficiently and produce less emissions.
  4. Portable Power Stations. They are powered by a battery charged by an electrical outlet, so they don’t use gas or propane. This is relatively new to the market and costs more than the portable gas ones. They are extremely quiet because there is no engine. They can be used indoors since they do not produce fuel emissions. However, they do not provide as much power as portable generators, and you cannot have them running while charging.

Power Systems West has been providing backup power solutions since 1955. They specialize in sales, service, and parts distribution of industrial power products with service centers in five Western states.

They are an authorized KOHLER generator distributor that carries a wide selection of parts. Contact them at powersystemswest.com and start a project with them today.