Gone are the days when you had to postpone all your important work because the power went out. One of the perks of living in the 21 ^st century is that you can still carry on with your tasks even when the power goes out, courtesy of the generator. In layman’s language, a generator is a machine that reinstates power when the power goes out. Generators have become quite popular owing to their utility; almost every household has a generator these days.

If you are keen on buying a generator and don’t know where to start, here are some tips that might help you zero in on the right generator for your home.

• Acquaint yourself with the types of generators
  Before you set out to buy a generator for your abode, ensure that you are familiar with the types of generators available in the market. There are two types of generators: portable and stationary, which is also known as a standby generator. Portable generators are cheaper than their counterpart; it can be wheeled outside and connected to whatever appliance you wish to power up. On the other hand, stationary generators are professionally installed and can be expensive. However, once installed, it is hassle-free; you wouldn’t have to turn it on manually.
• Know your watts
  For this purpose, you can use the wattage calculator. You have to add up the wattages of every appliance you need to power up in your house and gauge the size of the generator your house needs. To get the wattage right, it is advisable to get an electrician on board. Better smart than sorry.
• Consider the engine type
  Some generators are powered by four-stroke engines, while others have a two-stroke engine. A four-stroke engine ensures that you wouldn’t have to mix oil into the fuel; this means lesser hassles for you. Although generators powered by two-stroke engines are slightly complicated to use owing to its fuel and oil mixing, it is cheaper than the generators with four-stroke engines. So, ascertain your requirements and budget restrictions before you choose a generator for your house.
• Do you need a high-end rectifier?
  Present-day generators are equipped with high-end rectifiers that are capable of converting the electrical output into smooth sine waves, i.e., the type of electricity needed to power up sensitive equipment such as laptops. The generators with high-end rectifiers are quite efficient; this feature eventually saves the day in case of an emergency.
• Less-noisy generators
  Usually, all generators make noise. However, some are noisier than others and this can pose a problem for you and your neighbors as well. Ensure that the generator you choose doesn’t exceed 70 decibels, or you can opt for the ‘whispering generators’ which are more expensive than the regular ones.