An average American household experiences a power outage 2-3 times a year and can last for up to three hours. But there are cases when power outages can last for weeks due to extreme weather. When this happens, the homeowners have to face a long list of inconveniences – flooded basements, spoiled food, frozen pipes, and more. And this is where a standby generator comes in. It can help to keep your appliances up and running during a power outage. In this post, we’ll discuss the best standby generator Canada has to offer.
Read on.
Table of Contents
BEST STANDBY GENERATOR IN CANADA BUYING GUIDE
Fuel type
Standby generators are powered by gasoline, propane, gas, or natural gas. While gasoline-powered units are common, they carry special cautions related to carbon dioxide and exhaust fumes poisoning. If you purchase a gasoline-powered unit, you should keep it in an enclosed structure. In addition to that, you can buy a gasoline stabilizer to ensure the gasoline stays in use for a long time.
If you’re looking for a cleaner source of fuel, you can go for propane standby generators – they produce clean power. You can also choose battery-powered models. The runtimes and capabilities of these units vary greatly and can be a safe alternative power supply.
If you’re looking for versatility, you should go for Bi-fuel generators. Such units allow you to switch between two modes and are fuel-efficient. For instance, a generator can use fuel and natural gas (both offer a high level of flexibility).
Performance (wattage)
One of the most important things to consider when operating a generator is the number of watts. If you want to understand how many units you need, you should check the load your generator can handle. More specifically, you should pay attention to starting and loading watts. If you’re not careful, you could overload your unit. To know the total watts required, you should check the highest starting power.
When making your decision, you should consider the essential appliances you want to power. These may include sump pumps, well pumps, air conditioning units, and medical devices.
You should calculate the possible power consumption in case of an outage. The best approach is to add the total number of watts and multiply by 1000. After that, you should multiply the kilowatts by 1.25. This information will give you an idea of the type of generator you need. If you want a unit to power your house, you should invest in an 18kW generator.
You can start by making a list of what you don’t need. That way, you can add the watts to the right ballpark.
Transfer switch
If you’ll use the unit to power hardwired appliances, you should install a transfer switch. A professionally installed transfer switch will ensure you safely disconnect designated circuits from the electrical grid. The general rule of thumb is never to plug in your generator in the standard electrical outlet – it can create an electrical hazard.
To ensure you have the right transfer switch, you should identify your panel’s outage. You can read this information from the circuit breaker.
Automatic start
The best standby generator Canada has to offer will automatically kick in after a power outage. Therefore, you should invest in a generator that will step in to keep vital systems running like cooling systems and sump pumps.
Brand
The best standby generators come from a reputable manufacturer. You should look for compact, robust and powerful units that will stand the test of time. These generators cost money and should be installed by an experienced electrician to determine the location and noise restrictions. The best models run on self-diagnosis because they can help you know when a diagnosis is needed.
Warranty and maintenance
If you won’t use your generator regularly, it should remain in tip-top shape. The best units are easy to maintain. For instance, you should run your generator for 30 minutes even when there’s no power outage. This practice will keep the motor and other important components running.
Another common practice is to add a fuel stabilizer to keep corrosion and rust at bay. Besides that, you should never let the fuel level run low. Don’t forget to replace the motor and other components that are subject to wear.
Automatic carbon dioxide shutoff
While this is an area that is often overlooked, some users might inadvertently misuse a generator resulting in injuries. The best model will sense when the carbon monoxide levels go down and will automatically shut off. But for a unit to have this feature, it must have passed the CR’s safety test. Some of the models that feature this technology include Generac and Honda.
Electric start
Those models that feature an electric start comes with a push-button. You should factor in the added cost if the battery is not included. Most stationary models will have an automatic start.
Low oil shut-off
This is a common feature for most standby generators, so it’s something you should keep in mind.
Best Standby Generator review
GENERAC 70422 STANDBY GENERATOR
Generac is a reputable brand that combines performance and durability. It comes with an LCD that helps you monitor the battery level.
Generac is one of the best air-cooled generators that provide whole-house backup power. What’s more, it provides all the features you’d expect from other market-leading brands. And with the friendly price, that’s the lowest you can get per kilowatt for air-cooled generators. This is the perfect unit for all weather conditions.
Design
The body is made of aluminum and has a powder-coated finish to allow for elements of corrosion. Under the hood, you’ll find a G-force engine that is pressure lubricated. It requires less maintenance than comparable models. According to the manufacturer, this machine can supply 19500NG W and 22000LP watts.
Remote monitoring
The remote monitoring feature allows you to monitor your generator at the comfort of your home using a smartphone, PC, or tablet. You can also use the LCD to ask for maintenance service at the comfort of your home.
True power technology
This generator is designed to reduce power harmonic distortion and is safe to use in all appliances. You get best-in-class power for sensitive electronics.
Quiet test
Generac can self-test for 5-12 minutes – this helps to save fuel. This model runs on lower RPM, making it one of the quietest generators out there.
5-year warranty
Just like other Generac models, this generator comes with a 5-year warranty. The friendly customer service team will be ready to attend to you if you have any problem with the unit.
Pros
- Comes with a 5-year limited warranty
- Capable of handling rigorous generator use
- Requires less maintenance
- Comes with a multilingual LCD
- Quiet operation
Cons
- A transfer switch is not included
GENERAC RXSC100A3 STANDBY GENERATOR
With Generac RXSC100A3, you can manage up to four HVAC units without any additional hardware. The product is housed in a NEMA/UL type 3R enclosure to ensure durability. Generac is a UL-recognized device that handles all sensing and timing. You can be sure once you invest in a unit, it will last for many years.
Digital power technology
When you use the generator in tandem with management modules, you get more loads and efficient power. In addition to that, it cycles power depending on the need of various appliances.
Another cool future about this generator is that it can handle a wide range of temperatures. You won’t need a warming kit in extreme temperatures. The energy is also very clean, so it’s safe for your environment.
And, you don’t have to worry about fumes getting into your home. This model minimizes carbon dioxide emissions while the unique front air ventilation minimizes the risk of carbon dioxide.
Transfer switch
This unit connects to the utility meter for easy installation. When power is interrupted, the switch will transfer the power to a generator. And when the power returns, the transfer switch will return the electrical load.
Easy installation
The transfer switch connects through the utility meter and allows for easy installation. Keep in mind that the small fuses are integrated with the circuit board.
Mid-size capacity
Generac RXSC100A3 is a medium-sized capacity generator that suits the needs of every home. And when you’re close to overloading, it will stop the power supply automatically.
Unlike other Generac models, this generator supports online monitoring capabilities. You can even send alerts for reminders.
Pros
- Suitable for all classes of load
- Gives 160 milliseconds of transfer time
- Dual coil design
- Comes with a 2-yar warranty
- Can manage 4 individual HAVC loads
- Requires less maintenance
- Easy automatic stop
- Gives higher power output
Cons
- Requires a professional for installation
Conclusion
Let’s face it: people tend to make a desperate decision of buying a generator during emergencies. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you experience frequent power cuts, you should invest in the best standby generator. Most of them run on propane, diesel, natural gas, and more. When choosing the best standby generator Canada has to offer, you should consider cost and availability. Also, you should look at the pros and cons before you make your investment decision.