If you are looking to buy a portable generator then you may have had the dilemma of whether to do it online or just go to the neighborhood hardware store to buy it there. In this article, I discuss some of the relative advantages of doing either of the two options and hope to help you decide between the two options. As you will see, there are instances where buying portable generators that are for sale online is just more advantageous as buying them offline; and vice versa.
PureSine Wave Digital Inverter Generator with Eco Throttle SF 1000 Watt (Extra Quiet)
The first thing that you need to settle when looking to buy is whether you will consider buying used portable generators or brand new units. If money is not an issue, then a brand new unit should be the better choice because dealers and manufacturers today can give good deals that come with good warranties of at least 1 year. So that is 1 year of worry-free generator use. In this case, buying online or offline is on equal footing.
Choose the online option if you want the convenience it affords. All you have to do is enter your credit card details and your equipment will be delivered to your home. You do not have to leave your seat to buy! This is a great option for those who live very far away from hardware stores. However, if you choose this option, you need to be certain that you understand and really know the product you are buying. You will not be able to inspect the generator in person and will not see it until it gets delivered to you.
This can be a potential problem if you do not get your specifications right and discover that you have the wrong equipment only when it gets delivered. You do not want to buy one line only to discover that the dimensions are too big for the place you have allocated for it!
The luxury of being able to see, hear and try the generator first before you buy falls in the territory of the offline buying option. This is a pretty critical thing especially when money is an issue and you want to save a few bucks by buying used generators. For used equipment, you will want to be able to check it personally. If you are buying a second-hand silent generator, you will want to see if it is still silent first! Furthermore, portable generators are probable some of the most used generators out there because of their multi-purpose nature and their capacity for use in the recreational field. You definitely need to inspect the pre-owned units first before you buy them.
Buying generators for sale online is a great option but you need to figure out if it is a suitable option first. While it is always to go buy brand new units, there are instances where that is not just possible.
Important Considerations When Purchasing Generators
There are a wide variety of these generators for sale, both online and offline. If you clearly cannot afford to sit through a power outage, finding the best portable power generators to install in your home or small office is a requirement for running the necessary lights and appliances during power interruptions in your area.
To find the best portable generators for sale, there are a few things you must remember:
- Do your research. Know the basic features of standard portable power generators, in terms of brands and models, size and wattage capabilities, indoor or outdoor use, noise and fuel. There are so many kinds to choose from, and it will be better to know what you’re looking for instead of searching blindly and getting confused in the process.
- Go for reduced noise. A lot of people these days prefer silent generators, not only to muffle the noise output emitted by the generator engine, but also to comply with noise pollution laws where they live. Consider noise levels when searching through generators for sale. See tips on buying a silent genset.
- Consider a standby generator for your business. This type of genset is wired to your main electrical system. Via an automated transfer switch (e.g., ASCO transfer switch), the generator activates as soon as the power shuts down and automatically shuts off when power comes back on. While these portable power generators are pricier than most, it gives you the added convenience of not having to go out and manually start your genset each time the power dies.
- Determine the purpose of your generator use. Standard models can provide 7 kilowatts of electricity, and while this won’t power up your whole house, this amount of wattage will get you through a power outage with enough lights and basic appliances. If you need other heavy-duty appliances to run, such as an air conditioning unit for your business, a portable power generator with a minimum of 13 to 16 kilowatts will do the job.
- What’s your fuel preference? Most generators for sale are powered either by diesel, gasoline, propane, natural gas, electricity, and even the sun. Depending on your choice of fuel, you’ll find a whole price range of generators for sale available.
While wading through a wide array of portable power generators can be tough, it is always important to go for durability over design, while examining each unit for quality craftsmanship.
Once you’ve looked over your preferred models of power generators for sale and made your choice, you can be confident about weathering any power interruption that can heavily inconvenience you and your family, or wreck havoc on your business.