Home emergency generator: reliable backup power during an outage

A home emergency generator ensures that a power outage does not immediately leave you without electricity. You can continue using important appliances such as the refrigerator, freezer, lighting, internet router and central-heating boiler. Depending on the required output, a generator can also power heavier equipment.

But which emergency generator do you need at home? How much power should it provide? And how do you connect a generator to your home safely?

At BVL Machinery, we help you choose an emergency generator that suits your situation. This page explains what to consider and answers frequently asked questions about emergency power for the home.

What is a home emergency generator?

An emergency generator is an independent power supply that produces electricity when the regular power grid fails. It is usually driven by a petrol or diesel engine.

During a power outage, the generator can temporarily supply important appliances. This can be done manually or, with a suitable installation, by means of a transfer switch.

A generator used as an emergency power supply at home can power, among other things:

• refrigerator and freezer
• lighting
• modem and Wi-Fi router
• laptops and computers
• central-heating boiler
• certain heat pumps
• household appliances
• pumps and other essential equipment

Which appliances you can actually use at the same time depends on the output of the emergency generator.

How much power should a home emergency generator provide?

Choosing the right output is one of the most important considerations when selecting a generator for your home.

Start by deciding which appliances are essential during a power outage. Then add up their power consumption.

Also take starting power into account. Appliances with electric motors, pumps or compressors can temporarily require considerably more power when starting than during normal operation.

A safety margin of around 15 to 20% may therefore be advisable. Equipment with a high starting current may require a larger margin.

As a general indication:

Up to approximately 2,000 watts

Suitable for a limited number of basic needs, such as lighting, internet, a laptop and certain refrigerators or central-heating boilers.

Approximately 3,000 to 7,000 watts

Suitable when several appliances need to be powered simultaneously or when higher-power equipment is used.

From approximately 5,000 watts

May be of interest if you want to provide emergency power to a larger part of the home. The actual output required still depends on the connected equipment.

Therefore, consider not only normal consumption but also the maximum and possible starting power of your appliances.

Can I use a generator for my home during a power outage?

Yes. An emergency generator can keep important appliances in your home operating during a power outage.

Safe use is essential. A petrol or diesel generator has a combustion engine and produces exhaust gases containing carbon monoxide. Therefore, never use such a generator indoors, in a garage, shed or any other enclosed space.

The electrical connection must also be carried out correctly. An incorrect connection can cause electrocution, damage to equipment or dangerous backfeeding into the public power grid.

Would you like to use a generator to power all or part of your home's electrical installation? Have the connection and the required transfer equipment assessed and installed by a qualified installer.

How do you connect an emergency generator safely?

There are broadly two ways in which an emergency generator can be used at home.

Connecting appliances directly to the generator

With a portable generator, suitable appliances can be connected directly to the generator. Use cables and any distribution equipment that are rated for the maximum output and the conditions in which they are used.

The generator itself must be placed outdoors in a suitable, stable location where exhaust gases can disperse safely.

Connecting the generator to the consumer unit

Would you like to power several circuits or a larger part of the home during an outage? A generator can then be connected to the consumer unit using a purpose-designed transfer switch.

This equipment ensures that the home cannot be connected to the public power grid and the generator at the same time.

Always have this type of installation carried out or assessed by a qualified electrician. This prevents, among other things, dangerous backfeeding into the power grid.

Petrol or diesel generator for the home?

When choosing an emergency generator for your home, you can select from petrol and diesel models, among others.

Petrol generator

A petrol generator is often compact and therefore attractive for occasional use. Inverter generators are particularly popular when a relatively quiet and stable power supply is required.

Diesel generator

A diesel generator may be attractive when higher output or longer operating periods are important. The most suitable version depends on the desired output, operating time and how the generator will be connected.

BVL Machinery can help determine which type of generator best suits your application.

What is an inverter generator?

An inverter generator is designed to provide a stable power supply. This makes it attractive for electronic equipment that may be sensitive to fluctuations in voltage or frequency.

Inverter generators are also often compact and relatively quiet. They are therefore widely used where mobility, noise level and power quality are important.

For a home, an inverter generator may be suitable for powering electronics, lighting, internet equipment and other compatible appliances.

Can an emergency generator run my central-heating boiler?

In many situations, a central-heating boiler can operate on an emergency generator, provided that the generator and electrical installation are suitable.

Modern central-heating boilers contain sensitive electronics. It is therefore important that the generated electricity is suitable for the installation and that earthing, protective devices and the connection method are all implemented correctly.

Always check the technical requirements of the boiler and the generator. If in doubt, have the installation assessed by an expert.

Can a heat pump run on an emergency generator?

In some situations, a heat pump can also run on an emergency generator, but heat pumps may require considerably more power than lighting or a refrigerator.

Therefore, do not consider only the rated power of the heat pump. Its maximum power consumption and any peak load during startup are also important.

A 3,000-watt generator is therefore not automatically sufficient for every heat pump. The required output must be determined from the technical specifications of the installation concerned.

How long can an emergency generator provide power?

How long an emergency generator can run depends on, among other things:

• fuel tank capacity
• the engine's fuel consumption
• the connected load
• the type of generator
• the load during operation

Depending on the load and tank capacity, a small portable generator can operate for several hours. Larger generators can run considerably longer.

Therefore, do not compare models on output alone. If the generator is to be used during longer power outages, fuel consumption and running time are also important characteristics.

How much does a home emergency generator cost?

The price of a home emergency generator depends on its output, engine type, brand, noise level, power quality and additional features, among other factors.

A small portable generator naturally has a different price from a powerful emergency power installation capable of supplying several circuits in a home.

When purchasing, do not focus solely on the lowest price. Reliability, available output, power quality, noise level, safety and service are at least as important.

Based on your situation, BVL Machinery can advise which solution makes the most sense both technically and financially.

Which emergency generator is suitable for my home?

There is no single best emergency generator for every home. The right choice depends on what you want to keep using during a power outage.

A compact inverter generator may be sufficient for a few essential appliances. If you want to power several heavy appliances or a larger part of the home, a more powerful petrol or diesel generator will be required.

When comparing emergency generators, always consider:

• continuous and maximum output
• starting power of connected equipment
• 230 V and/or 400 V connections
• quality and stability of the output voltage
• fuel consumption
• tank capacity and running time
• noise level
• protective features
• options for connection to a transfer switch
• maintenance and availability of parts

What is the difference between a generator set and a generator?

In practice, the terms generator set and generator are often used interchangeably.

Technically, the generator is the component that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. A generator set consists of several components, including a combustion engine and a generator.

Therefore, when consumers search for a home emergency generator, they usually mean a complete generator set.

Buying an emergency generator for your home? Ask BVL Machinery for advice

Buying a home emergency generator starts with determining the required output and intended use. A generator that is too small may provide insufficient power, while an unnecessarily large model can be more expensive to purchase and operate.

At BVL Machinery, we are happy to help you select a suitable emergency power solution. Tell us which appliances need to keep running during an outage and how you intend to use the generator. Based on this, we can advise which output and generator type are suitable.

This way, you choose not just any generator, but an emergency power solution that suits your home and intended use.