THE FIVE Ws OF POWER GENERATORS – who, what, when, where and why


Why use a generator?

  • Power Outage: one of the most important reasons to have a generator is for when the power in your home goes out. In case of a natural disaster (including hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, fires, flood, etc.) or local emergency, your home may be fine, but the power supply doesn’t come back on for days. During that time, you will need electricity to keep essential appliances running such as your fridge/freezer, heat or air conditioning in severe weather, and more.
  • Camping
  • Working outside – at festivals, construction sites, and more.
  • Tailgating – a generator comes in very handy to power small appliances while tailgating. Take a lesson from these lovely ladies in the Honda Generator ad in our video section.


Who needs a generator?

We think a generator is great insurance for almost anyone, but some folks really should never be without a backup power source, especially those who have:

  • Electric powered medical equipment – if you or someone in your household depends on medical equipment such as a CPAP or other electric device.
  • Refrigerated medication – don’t count on being able to pickup ice at the gas station in an emergency, it won’t be available.
  • A freezer full of food – you’ll earn back the cost of a generator when you save that side of beef and other frozen foods in your freezer from melting a few times.
  • Sensitivity to severe weather – elderly folks or small children who wouldn’t do well in extreme hot or cold.


When to buy a generator

The best time to buy a generator is before you need it. Wait until a local emergency hits and you’ll find that the local home improvement store is sold out. Worse yet, even if you do find one at the last minute, you haven’t practiced using it. Give yourself plenty of time to learn to use your generator safely. Read the manual. Don’t wait! Order your generator today so you’ll be prepared when the lights go out.


What to look for in a generator

  • Wattage – make sure your generator has enough wattage to
  • Connection type – appliances can be directly plugged into most generators.If you want to connect the generator to your home wiring, you must have an electrician install a power transfer switch.
  • Reliability -- you need a generator that you can count on.
  • Noise Level – a loud generator can be a nuisance and make you very unpopular with the neighbors.
  • Not sure which generator is for you? This guide to choosing a generator can help.

Where to buy your generator
Check our generator search engine for the best prices on new and used generators for sale. Results are updated hourly so check often for best results!