Do you live in an apartment? If so, are you also troubled with what power backup system to have for your apartment? If you are, this article is right for you. We will be exploring all the different options for an apartment generator available on the market.
Along with this, we will also be helping you understand what type of apartment generator you need, depending on your requirements. So, make sure to read till the end.
How to Choose a Perfect Apartment Generator?
You have now embarked on a journey to obtain a reliable apartment generator for your apartment. Accordingly, the very first step in this process is understanding the power requirements for your apartment.
1. Power Requirements
How many electrical appliances do you have in your apartment? These devices will vary from those being your essential needs to those that you require but would not need in case of a power outage.
You might have a refrigerator, a microwave oven, a toaster, a washing machine, a coffee maker, lamps, a laptop, among others. First of all, figure out which devices you will definitely need in case of a power outage and if you go off-grid.
It is because these essential devices are what you will run with your apartment generator. After that, you need to find out the wattage - i.e., the power requirement - of each of these electrical appliances. Their wattage will be listed in their user manuals.
Add all of these up, and you know the average power output that your apartment generator must have.
2. Frequency of Use
Do you live alone in your apartment? Or do you have a complete family? Are you at home 24/7? Or do you have a job that enables you to be at home only at night and in the early morning?
Depending on the number of people living in the apartment and your occupation, your power requirements will vary. When you are at the apartment for the whole day, or you have a whole family with you, more electrical appliances will be used for longer durations.
On the other hand, suppose you live alone, or your occupation requires you to be out of the apartment for a longer duration of the day. You will obviously use fewer electronic products and for shorter durations.
You need to assess these factors before venturing out to buy an apartment generator. After all, you need an apartment generator that fits right with your requirements - neither overkill nor insufficient.
3. Size and Storage
Now, the next thing to consider is whether you have enough space to place the apartment generator that you will purchase. When you buy it, you will be placing it somewhere in your apartment. So, where will that place be?
The size of the apartment generator you will buy will depend on the storage space you have. A relatively bigger generator will not fit if you have less space for it. Conversely, a relatively smaller generator will not consume as much space and will fit well.
Essential Features for Apartment Generators
Besides your own power requirements, there are several other things you need to keep in mind when choosing an apartment generator.
1. Noise Levels
In an apartment building, there are various apartment rooms side by side. Any slight noise that your generator makes will disturb the others, and noise complaints will arise.
Keeping this factor in mind, opt for generators that have a low decibel level. It will not only not trouble your neighbors, but you also will not feel irritated by the continuous noise.
2. Safety Features
An apartment generator is not omnipotent. It, too, requires some safety features. Always look for generators that have overload protection, carbon monoxide sensors, and automatic shutdowns.
These features will ensure that your apartment generator is protected at all times and will not self-destruct with threatening stimuli.
3. Power Output
There is a reason why we instructed you to calculate your power needs at the beginning of the article. You need to choose an apartment generator whose power output matches your power needs.
An apartment generator that has less power output than your requirements will not prove to be a sufficient device. Conversely, an apartment generator that has a much greater power output than your power needs will be an overkill.
4. Fuel Availability
Different types of generators run on varying fuels, such as gasoline, diesel, and propane, or are battery-powered. You need to be careful in choosing an apartment generator that has fuel that is not only available to you but can also be stored in your apartment space.
After all, what will you do after buying an apartment generator whose fuel you don’t have access to in your vicinity or one that you cannot store in your apartment?
Types of Apartment Generators Available
Having considered the various factors to be mindful of when purchasing an apartment generator, let’s now look at the types of generators available in the market.
You will find various types of generators in the market - from portable generators to inverter generators, standby generators, diesel and gas generators, solar generators, and battery-powered ones.
However, not all of these are suitable as an apartment generator. Nonetheless, three of these have proven themselves fit to be placed in an apartment.
1. Inverter Generators
You will find inverter generators quite the right type for an apartment generator; they are excellent for indoor operation. As their name suggests, they use electronic circuitry to convert power from DC to AC.
Besides this, they have a clean and stable power output and are fuel-efficient. Owing to their lack of emission production and noise, they are a great choice as apartment generators.
What further makes them tempting is that you can easily carry them around and place them wherever you want - they are portable. The only downside with this generator is that it is expensive.
2. Solar Generators
Solar generators differ greatly from fuel-powered generators as they convert sunlight into usable power using solar panels. They are yet another great generator for an apartment that is quiet and does not produce emissions.
Owing to their reliance on sunlight, they are environmentally friendly and have a never-ending power source. Both portable and stationary solar generators are available, so you can choose between what is more suitable for you.
One disadvantage of solar generators is that they are ineffective where there is no sunlight and are on the pricier side. Nevertheless, their return on investment is significantly high.
3. Battery-Powered Generators
As per their name, these generators store electrical power in their batteries and then use that as a power backup source. These generators can also be recharged using two methods - AC power or solar panels.
However, their power capacity and duration of use are rather limited due to their fuel. Thus, they can only power small devices and serve as a backup power source for only some essential electronics.
Though it has limited use compared to other types of apartment generators, if your power needs are not as great, then it is a great choice. After all, it is portable, quiet, and emission-free.
BLUETTI Solar Generators for Your Apartment
Now that we have all the information we need, it is time to look at the industry’s best apartment generators. When we compare all options, solar wins; when choosing solar products, BLUETTI is the go-to brand.
1. BLUETTI AC200P Portable Power Station
The BLUETTI AC200P Portable Power Station is a robust power station with remarkable features such as its inverter capacity, battery capacity, long battery life, and versatile outputs.
Key Features:
Inverter Capacity: This device has a 2,000W AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter, along with a 4,800W surge power, thus powering up even appliances requiring a high starting power.
Battery Capacity: With its capacity of 2,000Wh, you are guaranteed reliable and efficient energy storage, thus powering up all your appliances, even your apartment generator.
Long Battery Life: Featuring a LiFePO4 battery with over 3,500 life cycles to 80% capacity, this device offers long-term reliability.
Versatile Outputs: It has 17 output ports, allowing you to power up multiple devices simultaneously without any issues.
2. BLUETTI EP500 + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit
The BLUETTI EP500 + 3*PV200 Solar Generator Kit is yet another remarkable product as an apartment generator. You will simply love its battery capacity, charge cycle, UPS mode, and off-grid energy storage.
Key Features:
Battery Capacity: Boasting a capacity of 5,120Wh with LiFePo4 battery, you are assured longevity and durability.
Charge Cycle: It also has a 6,000 plus charge cycle, again signifying its long life.
UPS Mode: Featuring both an in-grid UPS mode and a flexible UPS mode, this solar generator kit will serve as an exception power backup in power outages or off-grid scenarios.
Off-Grid Energy Storage: Since it can store energy even in an off-grid setting, you can also carry it around with you when you go for outdoor activities.
Speaking of off-grid power sources, find out how many solar panels you need to go off-grid.
Final Words
So, now that you have all the necessary data you require to search for an ideal apartment generator, it is time to stop dilly-dallying and get to work. In your quest, pay special attention to BLUETTI’s products; they will not disappoint you.
