One of the best decisions any homeowner can make is to invest in a 20Kw standby generator. Power outages across the United States are on the rise for a variety of reasons, impacting neighborhoods, homes, businesses, and those who work from home much more often today than in the past.
With so many 20Kw backup generator options to choose from, where do you start? Generators are ranked by price, warranty, noise level, energy output, load management, remote technology conveniences, and shutdown switch-over functionality.
An average house’s “basic” needs will be met by a 20Kw standby generator as long as your home is no more than 2,500 square feet. This is especially true if your air and water are heated by natural gas and your stove-range top is gas powered. Most power outlets, lights, and even a five-ton air conditioner can be run off this kilowatt-size generator selection. There’s a difference between basic needs versus “essential” needs, which we’ll discuss below.
Find out what coverage options your home insurance company offers before you invest in a backup generator. Your homeowner policy might cover generator repairs if you add equipment breakdown coverage. Installing a generator might also qualify you for a discount on your insurance’s annual premium. You might even get a better rate if you seek a few quotes from different insurance providers.
Basic Vs. Essential Needs: 20Kw Standby Generator
A 20Kw standby generator installation is one that connects all house circuits, meaning it’s a whole house generator. Using a partial house generator instead of a whole house generator is a great way to save on costs and provide power to very select circuits that matter to you, but it won’t do the same job as a whole house generator.
The 20Kw option stands out as the best quality entry-level emergency standby option for homeowners who want all the benefits of nearly whole-house power over regular power. The wattage on a 20Kw backup generator is measured in kilowatts, where 1Kw equals 1,000 watts. This capacity is what it can handle in terms of electricity load.
With the help of an expert service company, you can determine how much power your home uses during an outage before you invest in a 20Kw backup generator. You could get by with a generator that uses less power if you only need to keep the most “essential” items, devices, and appliances running. But if you want full power, you’ll need a bigger generator. That’s why the 20Kw standby generator selection is a sweet spot for many homeowners. As mentioned above, the average home needs about 20,000 watts to run everything, while a 5,000- to 7,500-watt generator can power things like a fridge, furnace, and water heater — just the essentials.
Be sure to check the generator’s starting wattage versus running wattage. It’s important to note that starting watts are higher because appliances need more power to start.
Air-Cooled Vs. Liquid-Cooled: 20Kw Standby Generator
The 20Kw standby generator option is a versatile option because it can power all of your home’s electrical circuits or just a few “essential circuits.” Your refrigerator/freezer, kitchen receptacles, a few light and outlet circuits, the fan-blower motor for gas heating equipment, garage door opener, and water pumps and sump pumps are some of the “basics” usually covered with a 20,000 watt selection.
For most homeowners living in the average square footage size, there’s usually no need to splurge on the most expensive generator on the market — many of which are liquid-cooled. Most 20Kw backup generators are air-cooled and very cost effective. They also include the all-important 200-amp automatic transfer switch. Additionally, you can get the most bang out of your buck when you use liquified propane or natural gas to power your air-cooled generator.
Just remember: for standby backup generator systems, you should take into account the sum total of all electricity loads supplying power around your house. Individually, they don’t require much electricity, but altogether they will draw much more power. An expert or professional can help you determine these factors and create a customized plan.
Backup Generator and Power Outage Facts
Approximately 70 – 75 percent of all home generator installations utilize the 20Kw standby generator option (usually air-cooled). For homes over 2,500 square feet, many owners choose a liquid-cooled generator instead, as referred to above.
What’s interesting is, America’s power grid is becoming increasingly unreliable due to a number of new stresses on the entire system. You can see why here; we are more connected as a nation through collaborative energy usage than ever before. “Reconfiguring a widely interconnected system is a daunting challenge,” one expert source states.
That means unpredictable power outages will continue leading homeowners across the nation to seek out the best generator for home, which happens to be a 20Kw standby generator for the overwhelming majority of households. Consider the following “basic” or “essential” devices and items you’ll keep secure and running smoothly when the power randomly goes out in your neighborhood: your garage door, security system, air conditioning unit, furnace heater blower, receptacles and lights in your kitchen, your refrigerator and freezer, and other lights and power receptacles around your house. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that:
- Food won’t be lost. With the power out, food spoils faster. Your freezer might have ice cream or precious cuts of meat you’ll want to preserve. Having a 20Kw backup generator can stop expensive food from spoiling.
- You’ll have an extra layer of comfort and security. Generators provide additional protection against a variety of problems, such as electrical overloads, downed power lines, overloaded air conditioners that can cause power outages, or natural disasters. Having a standby backup generator can be a lifesaver in hot or cold weather.
- You’ll keep computer and digital files protected. Today, most people back up their computers to the cloud, but for those who don’t, a power outage can cause a loss of digital files. If you’re running a business from home or have a home computer server, you’ll need an emergency power supply.
- The power will never — ever — go out for those living in your home. Power outages during storms are the worst. Scurrying to find candles or other light sources is stressful. If there’s a power outage, a standby generator kicks on so you don’t have to worry. With uninterrupted power, all you have to do is stay informed on developments and updates from your local news or power provider.
- Medical equipment and devices will stay safely and securely powered. It’s a smart idea to have a 20Kw standby generator for those needing electricity to power medical devices 24-7.
W Danley
At W. Danley, we assist you throughout the entire process — from answering questions you may have about different models, to determining the right 20Kw standby generator for your home, to obtaining permits, inspections and installing and maintaining your new generator. Contact us today.
