If you live in an isolated area or have a second residence far from the city, you know how common problems with electrical power are. Although these places are usually surrounded by nature and tranquility, they can also become a source of stress when you don't have power outlets or there are constant power outages. Luckily, there are always alternatives, and something that can be very useful is having a electric generator for the country house. These devices are responsible for transforming certain sources of energy into electrical current, and some are even capable of storing it for later use.
We are going to review the options you have to provide energy to your stay with generators, and some considerations and recommendations to choose the best option for each situation.
TYPES OF ELECTRIC GENERATORS YOU CAN HAVE AT HOME
When it comes to supplying your home with electricity, you have several alternatives of electric generators. Although their objective is the same, not all work the same, but they have different sizes, capacities and uses, so you must choose according to your needs. In the same way, its classification can vary according to two criteria:
1. THE ENERGY SOURCE
- Diesel: They have undoubtedly been the most used over the years. They are efficient and with a few liters of fuel they provide many hours of electricity. Of course, they have the disadvantage that they generate abundant emissions and are quite noisy, which is why other options are preferred today.
- Gasoline: although this fuel is a little cleaner than the previous one, it is usually more expensive and offers less performance . If you are going to use the generator in isolated areas, you should consider that it generally works for periods of between 4 and 6 hours, since it requires pause cycles.
- Gas: some use butane gas through cylinders and others natural gas through continuous distribution networks. They generate little pollution and their efficiency is significant, but they are limited by the availability of fuel in remote locations.
- Wind farms: they benefit from the force of the wind that moves rotating blades to produce kinetic energy which is then transformed into electrical energy. However, they need constant currents and relative intensity, so they are not suitable for all cases.
- Solar : They work with panels that absorb energy from the sun through cells made of semiconductor material to generate a flow of electricity. At present they are considered the easiest and most sustainable way to supply energy for everyday situations.
1. THE TYPE OF CONNECTION
- Fixed: they have a final location at home and once installed they cannot be moved to another place. They tend to be large and run on fossil fuels, and are capable of generating electricity for hours, so they are very useful in areas with frequent power outages.
- Portable: it is easy to move them from one place to another to generate electricity where it is needed and not rely on a permanent installation. Some are so compact and light that you can lift them without help, although most have wheels for easy movement. They almost always run on fuels or solar power.
HOW TO CHOOSE AN ELECTRIC GENERATOR FOR YOUR COUNTRY HOUSE
If you want to find the right electric generator, you should take some time to analyze some factors and ask yourself certain questions. Will it be the main power source or a supplement? Can I leave it installed fixed or will I have to move it from one place to another? How much power do I need?
Answering these questions will help you filter options, but while the answers depend on your particular needs, there are things you should always look for in your generator:
- That it has enough power to illuminate the space, cook quick dishes, refrigerate foodand recharge the battery of some electronic equipment such as mobile phones, cameras and laptops.
- If you are surrounded by nature, take advantage of the energy sources that it offers you, be it the sun, the wind or biomass. The availability of these resources in your environment will be key to decide.
- That it does not generate too many emissions. The smell is not only annoying, but the gases expelled are pollutingand affect both your health and the environment.
- That generates as little noise as possible, because the last thing you want is a device that destroys the tranquility of your country house.
SILENT, PORTABLE AND SOLAR POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATOR: THE MOST ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE
Despite the wide variety of options on the market, more and more people are opting for a silent and portable electric generator . And it is that this device captures energy during the day through small solar panels and has a battery capable of storing it to continue using it even when there is no sunlight. There are many advantages that make it attractive, although it is worth noting that:
- Using it is very easy and you don't need to have any knowledge about photovoltaic panels, just turn it on and it will be ready for you to connect your devices.
- It is safe and free from fuel explosion risks.
- It is silent and does not generate smoke.
- It has a large capacity battery to provide power for long periods of time.
- It has several charging alternatives: solar panel, normal electrical network and even the car's power outlet.
- Allows you to connect multiple computers at once.
Today we it is impossible to imagine daily life without electricity, and having a safe and continuous supply is a necessity. Therefore, if your home is far from urban centers, it is essential that you have a backup beyond the traditional electrical network. Although the options are many, with an electric generator for a country house you will be able to be comfortable and sure that day-to-day tasks are not compromised due to lack of electricity.
