Thinking about buying a home generator? A home generator can be a great way to keep the lights working, keep your computer running, and safeguard any food you might have in the refrigerator and/or freezer during a power outage. This can come in especially handy if you experience a natural disaster such as an earthquake or a hurricane. There are different types of home generators out there.

Read the following to learn what types are available and how they are used.

You can use a home generator during an emergency to provide an alternate power source. But before you go buy one, you need to do your homework. Not all home generators are created equal. Some produce a current, called “raw power,” that can’t be used directly for some kinds of electronics, like computers or microwaves. If you plug these devices directly into the current, you will short them out.

If possible, buy a home generator that will create an electric wave similar to what you get through your power lines from your utility company. This is called “clean power.” If you must buy a generator that produces “raw power,” you will need to buy what’s called a “power line converter” to change the electric current from “raw power” to “clean power.”

Home generators come in different types, as well. The most popular ones are the ones that run on gas. They use regular gasoline that you can buy at the pump. These types of generators are the least expensive; many large home improvement stores sell them for under $500. But, they have their drawbacks: They are noisy and sound much like a lawn mower.

They cannot be used indoors, and must be run only in a well-ventilated area (not in your garage), as they create carbon monoxide, as well as other poisonous emissions. However, this type of generator may appeal to you, particularly if you lose your power on a fairly regular basis. Generators that cost more money create additional power. These generators come with extra features. The top-of-the-line models produce “clean power” and don’t require the use of a power line converter.

You need to be sure to purchase a generator that is capable of producing enough power for your needs. Generator power is measure by watts; this tells you how much power it will create. In order to figure out which generator you need, you will need to make a list of what electrical devices you want to run with the generator; then, you need to find out the wattage requirement for each and add them all up.

Sound confusing? You can ask a licensed electrician to do the calculations for you. Just make sure you buy a generator that is capable of producing enough power to handle the load. Before using your generator for the first time, consult both the manufacturer and a licensed electrician to be sure you are setting the system up correctly.

A licensed professional can assist you in setting up your home system in a way that will not start any fires or burn out any appliances. Licensed electricians are also aware of any laws about using home generators in your area.

Obviously, a home generator can be a great alternate system in the event of a power outage. Hiring an electrician to do the installation for you will not only make the job easier and safer, an electrician can set up the system so all you have to do is throw a switch to change your power source to your new home generator.