Whether you need to power lights and small appliances for a camping trip or provide electricity for your home during a power outage, you will be able to rent a portable generator designed to meet your specific needs. While options for rentals will be determined largely by your location, there are several alternatives to consider. Large chain home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowes almost always offer such equipment rentals, but there are some less obvious choices, as well. Your local lumber yard or electrical contractors can be contacted about generator rentals. Craigslist, Yellow Pages and local newspaper ads can also be a good source for locating a power rental facility.
There are three types of portable generators: recreational, emergency use and professional/job site generators. Professional generators are appropriate for every day use by contractors, but not occasional use by average consumers.
Recreational style generators are designed for camping trips or backyard events where you might be lighting a tent or powering portable appliances. Check the data plates on the appliances you intend to power to determine the total wattage you will have to generate. This will determine what size recreational generator you should rent.
Emergency use portable generators are most commonly rented by homeowners who need to generate electricity for their home during a power outage. Again, the total wattage that can be generated is the determining factor for what parts of your home will be able to be powered. Medium size emergency generators will produce from 3000-6000 watts of energy and are capable of powering a sump pump, refrigerator, furnace fan and possibly a few other appliances. If the goal is to have at least several rooms in your home receiving power, a large generator that can produce between 7000 and 9000 watts of electricity may be a better option for you. Keep in mind, however, this would not be strong enough to also power central air. Extra large emergency generators will provide complete power for a small home, and even some central air units. These extra large units produce 10000 or more watts of energy.
Before loading the rental generator into your pickup, be sure you know the fuel type necessary for the model you select. Gas-powered is the most common and the easiest to maintain, but some models require diesel or even natural gas.
Understanding your power needs and what is available will allow you to select the most suitable portable generator for your needs.
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