In a power outage, having a generator on hand can be a godsend. But before you run out to the store and purchase one, some important questions need to be answered first.
Here's what you should keep in mind when buying Best generators for sale new Zealand for your home:
How many watts can the generator run?
The most important thing to consider when purchasing a generator is how much power it can provide. Generators are measured in watts, and their size depends on how much power you need to run.
You may have heard of kilowatts (kW), which is a unit of power equal to 1,000 watts; this means that a 1 kW generator can only run devices that require up to 1 kWh of electricity per hour.
What are the important features?
There are a few key features to look for when choosing a generator:
- How much power it can produce? This is measured in watts and determines how many appliances you can run at one time. A good rule of thumb is to figure out how much power you need to run all of your essential appliances, then add 25% more as a safety margin.
- How long it can run on a tank of gas (or propane)? Not all models are created equal when it comes to fuel efficiency, so make sure yours has good numbers before making your purchase!
What size generator is right for you?
When you're looking for the right generator, the first thing you need to know is what size it will be. Generally, generators for sale nz are rated in watts, but they can also be measured in kilowatts (kW). A kW is 1000 watts, so a 1-kilowatt generator has a capacity of 1,000 watts--the same as many light bulbs at home.
Generators range from 1kW up to 25kW; however, most homeowners will only need one that's between 3kW and 7kW. If you have an electric furnace or air conditioner and want electricity during power outages, then we recommend getting a 5kW unit with automatic start/stop technology.
How much electricity does your home use?
To determine how much electricity your home uses, you need to calculate the total amount of watts. You can do this by taking the wattage of each appliance and adding them together. For example:
- A refrigerator uses about 1,500 watts.
- A dishwasher uses about 1,000 watts.
- A washing machine (electric) uses about 850-1,200 watts depending on load size and cycle length.
If you want more information about typical loads for residential homes, check out these websites:
What are the typical loads for a home?
The average home uses about 11 kilowatts (kW) of electricity. This is the equivalent of about 1,200 watts per hour or the power used by ten 100-watt light bulbs running for one hour.
The typical home has a refrigerator, freezer, microwave oven and range hood; dishwasher; washing machine and dryer; air conditioner or dehumidifier for cooling/dehumidification purposes only; television with cable box.
Conclusion
In the end, the right generators for sale nz depend on your needs and what size home you live in. Start by thinking about how much electricity your home uses on average and how many watts it can run. Then, think about what features are important!
