Portable Propane Generators for Home Use
by Editorial Staff
(U.S.A.)
Portable propane generators for home use are an interesting topic since one must first know the size needed to power a home (without sacrificing mobility for the added capacity.)
Also, one must always consider how often the generator will be used both on-the-road and in-home—this will somewhat help in determining the size based on the amount/types of loads that will be supported by the equipment.
Also, there’s always the issue of propane accessibility and whether or not it’ll be convenient to purchase a generator of this type.
Although, portable propane generators for home use are generally more efficient and less costly over the long-term (due to the lower rates of propane gas), the total savings may be negated by not having routine access to propane.
Moreover, as there are several natural gas companies that will refill propane tanks, if they are not in your service area or ‘en route’ to adjacent locales, it’ll be much more expensive for them to make an ‘exclusive trip’ to your home.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if your home heating system runs on natural gas or you can source a company that will refill propane tanks, then propane generators are legitimate options for emergency standby power.
At the very least, one should select models of at least 3500W to be viable as home generators.
Given this minimum capacity, one can successfully operate the basic appliances necessary to get by (e.g. refrigerator; television; radios; lamps; clocks; et cetera.)
Functionality of Portable Propane Generators
Fundamentally, a generator transfers mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Most commonly, this is done by magnetic fields which produce an electrical current when metal coils are rapidly spun through them; thus, drawing electric energy from the magnetic field.
With respect to portable propane generators , the mechanical energy is produced by an internal combustion engine—which, in this case, is propane powered.
In summary, the propane powered combustion engine produces the mechanical energy to quickly rotate the metal coils which then draw electric energy from the magnetic fields within the generator…
Then, that electric energy is transferred out-of the generator & into whichever appliances/electronics that are connected to it.
Further, the mechanical energy provision is of utmost importance because it takes significant power to adequately cycle the inner coils—which grow larger (and more heavy) with the overall capacity of the generator.
Hence, fuel efficiency becomes critical with extended employment of home generators.
This is the main reason why portable propane generators for home use are held in such high regard.
Additionally, propane burns not only more efficiently, but cleaner than gasoline as well.
Besides, if one can purchase a portable model that can be taken on road trips, camp-outings, or even lent to neighbors, it translates into an optimal reserve energy source indeed.
Again, the only issue with portable propane generators for home use is that propane access is by-no-means guaranteed—rendering the generator inoperable without it.
If this is relevant to your situation (sparse propane access), don’t worry because there are many other types that can be utilized as home generators too; both standby and portable models.
To locate these variant selections, just browse the ‘Generators’ entries on the NAVBAR to the left; or, specifically, the ‘Further Discussion About Generators for Home Use Section’ on the previous page.
