Nearly 60 per cent of all blackouts in the US are caused by violent storms, but 34 per cent are caused by equipment failure. (Editor’s note: In South Africa, in the case of Eskom, this figure is much, much higher.) So what’s a homeowner to do?
One option is a standby generator. Within seconds of a blackout, it will kick on to power your home. But these generators aren’t cheap. Here’s how to decide if it’s worth it to have one for your home.
A NEED-BASED DECISION
Whether or not you need a standby generator is strictly personal. For some, being inconvenienced by a single blackout is reason enough. But if you live in an area that has frequent or lengthy blackouts, a standby generator becomes more necessity than convenience. Once you’ve decided that you actually need one, the next step is selecting the right size.
SIZING STANDBY GENERATORS
Generators come in many sizes and can be powered by liquid petroleum gas (LPG) or natural gas (or petrol or diesel). We’re going to discuss the gas models. A common impulse is to get the largest unit available to power the entire house. A more sensible approach is for you to buy a generator sized to run essential circuits, such as those powering the kitchen, key appliances, hot water system, security system, and a few lights and plugs. This is considered a ‘partial-house generator’.
This story is from the November/December 2020 edition of Popular Mechanics South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November/December 2020 edition of Popular Mechanics South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Can a retired rocket engine take us to Mars?
The space shuttle's main engine was mothballed with the programme in 2011. Now NASA believes it's the future of interplanetary travel.
6 metre waves. All engines on fire. 1 500 Km from land.
How Flying Tiger 923 and its 'miracle pilot' made an impossible ocean landing.
Land Rover Discovery D300
A FEW MONTHS ago a $2 billion lottery jackpot was won in the United States. It’s fun to sometimes ponder outrageous winnings like that, and how I’d spend it, even if it’s completely detached from reality.
Volkswagen Taigo R-Line 1.0 TSI
The compact proportions make this a delightful daily commuter.
Mazda CX-5 2.2 L De Akera AWD
Floor the pedal and overtaking is achieved easily and safely.
Making the most out of your grinder
THE HUMBLE BENCH GRINDER IS A STAPLE of the handyworker's home shop, largely due to its versatility. But, while you can employ one to remove metal from just about anything, the traditional kind may not provide the precision you need for every grinding operation. Here, we shed light on the best ways to use the different types of grinders, gleaned from our testing.
Unlock your devices' full potential with a USB-C hub
AS NEW TECH SHRINKS EACH YEAR, essential ports such as USB-A, HDMI, and ethernet are being replaced by the slimmer USB-C.
WE BUILT THE WORLD'S FIRST V-8 TESLA
THE RICH REBUILDS TEAM HAD A DEAD MODEL S. THEY FIXED IT WITH A CAMARO ENGINE.
I bought a GHOST TOWN
This abandoned California mining village once had 400 buildings. Now I'm restoring the 20 that remain.
F1 taught me that speed starts with comfort
AS A FAN OF MOTORSPORT, I'M ALWAYS fascinated with the finer details that go into Formula One racing. Piloting the fastest racing cars on the planet subjects drivers to savage forces - up to 6 G's under braking which has led to an almost endless pursuit of comfort.
