Best 5 Electric Generators for Home: How to Choose

When there is a power cut due to a natural disaster hitting the area or a utility grid failure, an electric generator for the home sounds like a reliable solution. It can keep the refrigerator cool so the food items do not get spoiled and run an AC to cool the room. It's also a reliable charging solution that will keep medical equipment like CPAP machines running to ensure a comfortable and peaceful sleep. When the portable generator kicks in, you and your family can rest assured you're never left in the dark.  

But here's a thing: Electric generators come in various shapes and sizes. For example, portable generators are ideal for running a few lights and small appliances during a power outage. Solar generators are ideal for powering appliances with the free and renewable sun's energy. Jackery offers a wide range of solar-powered generators that can charge up to 99% of appliances, such as refrigerators, TVs, lights, microwaves, CPAP machines, heaters, etc.

How Electric Generators Work?

An electric generator works by converting mechanical or chemical energy into electricity to power your home. Let's explain how an electric generator can produce electricity for your home in detail:

Step 1: An electric generator uses a fuel-powered engine or an external force, such as falling water or wind, to turn the onboard alternator.

Step 2: The rotating armature spins within the magnetic field to cause changes in the magnetic flux, which induces an EMF in the armature to generate an electric current.

Step 3: The generated current starts flowing through the copper wires to transfer switches and circuit breakers.

Step 4: The electricity from the electric generator can safely run through the home's electricity system to power appliances connected to the active currents.

On the other hand, Jackery Solar Generators use free solar energy to generate electricity. The foldable solar panels are placed under direct sunlight, where the monocrystalline silicon solar cells absorb the solar energy and create DC electricity. The pure sine wave inverter in the portable power station converts DC to AC electricity, which can then be supplied to home appliances such as refrigerators, ACs, heaters, lights, etc.

Types of Electric Generators for Home

Different types of electric generators work best for different needs. Portable electric generators are ideal for temporary power solutions, whereas small generators are best suited for smaller homes or less frequent use.

Portable Electric Generator for Home

Portable electric generators for homes are what they sound like: portable. They are small enough to be carried on a camping trip or even stored in a car for emergencies. While they do not produce enough electricity to power an entire home or construction site, they act as a temporary power solution for powering small to midsize appliances during outdoor trips.

Solar Electric Generator for Home

Solar electric generators for homes convert free and renewable sun energy into usable electricity. They do not produce toxic emissions or noise and are a great battery backup solution for eco-friendly shoppers. Large solar generators can also power the entire home and help homeowners reduce their reliance on the utility grid, which reduces (or eliminates) monthly electricity bills.

Small Electric Generator for Home

Small electric generators might be ideal if you have a small home or want a generator for less frequent use. As the name suggests, they are small in size and can be easily moved from one place to another. Having a small generator by your side ensures you don't even have to worry about traveling to remote locations where access to power might be a problem.

Backup Electric Generator for Home

With an increase in natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, or tornadoes, there is a high chance of power outages. Backup electric generators for home are ideal if you want to prepare for emergencies or charge appliances whenever a power outage hits the area. They will charge your refrigerator to prevent food from spoiling or maintain a comfortable environment by powering heating or cooling devices.

Choosing the Best Electric Generator for Your Home

Electric generators aren't cheap, and power outages or blackouts are temporary. Before buying the biggest (or smallest) generator you find, it is essential to check some important factors such as power needs, space, and noise levels. Let's explain them briefly:

Power Needs

First, you need to figure out what you want to run with the electric generator at the same time when the electricity goes off. You should include essential items such as refrigerator, AC, lights, or cooking equipment. If you often work from home, you might also need to include appliances such as laptops, TVs, lamps, etc.

Once you've decided on the appliances, the next step is to create a list of them, along with their running and starting wattages. The total running wattages of those appliances will act as the electric generator's rated output. Add the total running wattages and the highest starting wattage together to calculate the generator's surge peak output.

Space 

Next, you need to check the space where you'll be using the electric generator. For example, if you are planning to use a generator in a small room or a car, it's better to look for a small electric generator. On the other hand, you may go ahead with a larger solar electric generator if space is not an issue.

Noise Levels

Some fuel-powered electric generators are loud, which can be noisy if you plan to use them at night. That's why it's better to choose solar-powered generators for homes that do not emit a lot of noise when working.

Jackery Solar Generators work by emitting around 30dB of noise, which is less than the refrigerator's hum. Hence, they work great even if you are using these solar-powered generators at night or in places where noise can be a major restriction.

Best 5 Home Electric Solar Generators

Electric solar generators are one of the most efficient, eco-friendly, and reliable charging solutions for home appliances during power outages or when traveling to remote locations. Jackery is a renowned solar brand that manufactures foldable solar panels, solar generators, and portable power stations. Depending on different power needs and preferences, we will recommend the 5 best electric generators for homes.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh)

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (6kWh) is a large powerhouse that can charge 99% of household appliances during long-term power outages or blackouts. It's also one of the best off-grid solar generators that can reduce reliance on the utility grid and charge appliances with free solar energy. The portable power station has wheels and handles that make it moveable from one room to another.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh)

The Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus Kit (4kWh) is another electric solar generator capable of powering up to 99% of appliances in a modest-size home. For example, this whole-house solar generator can charge an air conditioner, a portable heater, lights, microwaves, and refrigerators. It's also quiet and operates at less than 30dB of noise, which makes the solar generator ideal for powering appliances at night.

Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus

If you want a reliable battery-powered generator that acts as a reliable charging solution for both indoor and outdoor needs, you may go ahead with the versatile and expandable Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus. It can power up to 99% of the appliances and runs significantly quieter than diesel or gas generators. If you think you need more power, you can add more battery packs to extend the battery capacity from 2kWh to 24kWh.

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro

The Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro packs a lot of power and is designed to charge home or outdoor appliances for long hours. It's plenty for a small house or to keep the essentials running in a larger house. On the plus side, it has double wheels, a pull rod, and a foldable handle that makes it relatively easy to move around. The battery backup for the home is compact enough to be stored inside and delivers a high output to meet the power needs of 99% of appliances.

Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus

The compact Jackery Solar Generator 1000 Plus offers a remarkable capacity, keeping essential appliances running during a short power outage or when you're outdoors. The solar generator's foldable handle and ergonomic design ensure easy movement. It delivers the high output you need for a home backup and features an expandable capacity so you can quickly scale the system to meet your needs.

Connect Jackery to Your House

Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro or Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Plus can be integrated into the home's breaker panel with the help of the Jackery Manual Transfer Switch. You can flip the switches on the integration panel and keep appliances running during an unexpected long-term power outage. The transfer switch for a whole home backup kit acts as a mediator between the solar generator and utility meter to switch from on-grid to off-grid power within 0.5 seconds.

Installation and Maintenance Tips

Proper installation of the generator is important to avoid fire, injury, and damage to the electrical equipment. It's important to ensure the generators last long and offer ultimate performance when charging appliances. Here are some of the usage, storage, and maintenance tips to provide optimal performance and longevity for the Jackery Solar Generators:

• Do not use the battery in extremely hot conditions, such as in a car on hot days or under direct sunlight, to avoid the risk of overheating and catching fire.
• Store the power station in a dry, cool place and keep it away from heat sources and fire.
• Avoid contact of battery and solar panels with corrosive substances while in storage.
• Operate and recharge the battery every three months to keep the power station active.
• Do not let the battery level drop below 20%.
• If the battery is stored for a long time (over three months), inspect it regularly and keep the battery levels at 50% of its rated capacity.
• Always use the original charger and related accessories to charge the portable power station.

FAQs

What size generator is needed to power a house?

A generator ranging between 5000W and 7000W would be enough to meet the power needs of a typical house. However, the exact generator size you need will depend on the total wattage of the appliances being charged simultaneously and their operating hours. Let's say you want a refrigerator (400W) and some lights (50W) with the help of the Jackery Solar Generator 3000 Pro. The operating hours can be calculated as follows:

Running Time = Battery Capacity in Wh × 0.85 ÷ Operating Wattage of the Appliances = 3024Wh × 0.85 ÷ 450W = 5.7H

Note: We have multiplied the battery capacity by 0.85 because charging the appliances will cause some power loss.

What will a 2000-watt generator run in a house?

A 2000-watt generator can charge various small appliances, such as cellphones, light bulbs, coffee makers, laptops, toasters, and even midsize refrigerators. You might also be able to run small air conditioners that consume less than 2000W of electricity per hour.

How big of a generator do I need for a 2000-square-foot house?

A 2000-square-foot house typically needs a generator rated at least 5500 watts to charge essential appliances. However, the exact size might vary depending on how many appliances you want to power and for how long.

What will a 3000-watt generator run in a house?

A 3000-watt generator can charge most household appliances, such as fridges, lights, phones, computers, TVs, window ACs, etc., though not simultaneously. It can also charge electrical cooking appliances like microwaves and toaster ovens.

Conclusion

The choice of the best electric generator for your home will depend on several factors, such as your home's size and power needs. The right-size solar generator will provide enough power for your essential appliances without the risk of overloading.

Jackery Solar Generators are powerful and portable battery generators that can power essential appliances during day-long power outages or outdoor adventures. You can assess your house's specific power needs and then choose the best solar generator.

Have you had any experiences choosing or using an electric home generator? Share your thoughts, ask any questions, or offer advice in the comment section below!