If you live in an area where power outages are rare but sometimes do occur, a portable emergency generator may be all the investment you need. It can keep the freezer and refrigerator running or enable you to turn on some lights and run a microwave and a computer so you can survive for days without any serious losses.

Choose a generator made specifically for household use rather than a worksite or camping generator. Consider how much power and what sorts of plugs you will need. Also consider the quality of the machine and how easy it will be to start and maintain.

Here are the features you should consider when making a choice:

Amount of power it will deliver
Generators are sized according to the number of watts of electrical power they deliver. In addition to the power a generator supplies while in constant running mode, a generator also should supply short bursts of “surge” power, which is needed for a few seconds to start up a large appliance such as a refrigerator or a clothes dryer.

Why we like it: • Powers multiple appliances and lights without problems • Easy to start • Runs up to 13 hours at half output capacity

A small generator delivers 3,000–4,000 watts, which is enough to supply a medium-sized refrigerator, a few appliances, a TV, and some lights. If you want a more civilized life, up the wattage to 5,000–6,000 watts and you’ll be able to add a window air conditioner or two, a freezer, and more appliances. Large generators that deliver 7,000– 10,000 watts enable you to run just about everything in a medium-sized house, minus a central air conditioning system.

Type & number of electrical plugs it has
A small portable generator may have only 12-volt plugs, suitable for standard extension cords and able to run lights and small to mid-sized appliances. If you need to power a 240-volt appliance, be sure the generator has a suitable plug. If you will plug the generator into the home via a transfer switch (see Alternatives to a Portable Emergency Generator), there must be a special four-slotted plug that supplies both 120 and 240 volts.

Type of fuel that will power it
Most inexpensive generators run only on gasoline or diesel fuel and may have a fuel tank that holds only enough to last a couple of hours. Choose a model that has a tank large enough so it can run through most of the night. Also consider generators that can be converted to connect to a propane tank or to the house’s natural gas lines.

Motor & starting method
Some low-end generators start using a pull rope that you yank as you would an old- fashioned lawn mower. Higher-end models have battery-powered electrical starters. Obviously, pushing a starter button is much easier than yanking a rope. Also consider what is needed to keep them operational. Some motors must be started and run for a few minutes every month or two, while others can go for a year or two without running.

Grounding method
Nearly all modern generators are made so they do not need to be grounded (connected to a grounding rod driven into the earth or to a metal water pipe). To be safe, check the owner’s manual to be sure the model you choose does not need to be grounded.