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Inverter vs. Traditional generators - which one is right for you?
Inverter vs. Traditional generators - which one is right for you?
Author: Andrea O.
If you have been impacted by extended power outages in recent years, you may be considering a solution for backup home power to keep your family safer and more comfortable. You could look into portable batteries, whole-house batteries, or a portable gas generator.
When you start your search for a portable or backup gas generator, you will come across two main categories: traditional and inverter generators. But which one is best for living through an extended power outage?
We’ll discuss the efficiency, power quality, and noise level, other important qualities to consider when investing in a generator for your home.
In this article:
Common features
Key Differences (Traditional vs Inverter)
Choosing the right one for your needs
Common Features
Common Features
Both traditional and inverter generators consist of an engine and generator together to form what is colloquially known as a “genset” and can provide back up or portable power for your home, RV, or other needs. Generally, a generator that supports higher power output will be more expensive, larger, heavier, louder, and have a higher fuel consumption.
Many generators can support dual fuel (gasoline and propane), and a few that can support tri-fuel (adding support for natural gas). You can also find aftermarket kits to add dual/tri-fuel support to many gas generators (but note, installing these kits may void the warranty). Consider your fuel access and costs when shopping around. A generator that can use multiple fuels can be an advantage if your supply to one is cut off during a major event. If the power is out in your wider area, you can’t just go get some gas from your local gas station. Gas pumps need electricity to work.
Tip: Propane is shelf stable and doesn’t go bad.
Gasoline has a shelf life of 3-6 months (shorter if the gas mix contains ethanol, most do).
To help prolong its shelf life, you can add a fuel stabilizer.
See tips for storing gasoline below:
Both types of generators are comparable in terms of maintenance, which is to say that they require a lot. This includes oil changes (typically every 100 hrs of runtime), air filter cleaning, 12V starter battery maintenance, and periodic valve adjustments for starters. During extended outages when you’re running your generator, the oil level should be checked once daily.
Some modern features that can be found on both types are:
Remote start/stop (via keyfob) from the comfort of your home/RV
New 2022 - Bluetooth to mobile app (Honda EU2200i $2200, Honda EU7000iS $6k, Roybi RYi2322VNM)
Auto Transfer Switch (ATS) integration, allowing the generator to start automatically when a power outage occurs. This feature often includes a trickle charger which keeps the 12V starter battery topped up when grid power is available
Carbon monoxide (CO) sensors are a safety feature which will shut off the generator if CO in a confined space builds up to dangerous levels
Safety note: The safest place to install your generator is outside, 20 feet from your home, and ideally face the exhaust away from your home or neighbors.
Now let’s dive into the key differences between traditional and inverter generators.
We’ll compare:
Efficiency
Power Quality
Noise
Price
Traditional portable generators
Traditional portable generators
Efficiency
Not great. Traditional generators are very inefficient, especially at partial loads. In order to output 60 Hz power, traditional generators need to hold the RPM at 3600 RPM and stay there regardless of your power requirements. As you add loads, the generator needs to consume more fuel to keep running at 3600 RPM.
When backing up your house, you will likely not be running your large appliances all the time - but your traditional generator won’t know the difference between powering your lights (a very low power requirement) and powering everything all at once, resulting in a pretty inefficient use of fuel.
Noise
Noise
Traditional generators are infamous for creating a loud, droning sound. The larger or more powerful the generator, the louder the sound it produces. Additionally, traditional generators tend to be open frame, and thus louder than enclosed generators. Modern standby generators have been engineered to be quieter, with additional sound deadening and quieter mufflers.
This excessive and constant noise is disruptive to surrounding wildlife and can cause you (and neighbors) ear fatigue, impacting your quality of life.
Note: Due to noise, there are building department rules regarding permanent generators and their placement compared to property lines.
Quality of Power
Quality of Power
When looking at generators, you may come across the term total harmonic distortion (THD) which is a description of the power quality, or how “clean” or stable the AC power output from your generator is.
Normal grid power, considered “clean”, is around 2-3% THD. Traditional generators have a less “clean” AC power output range of 5-20% THD which can cause issues with more sensitive electronic devices.
The THD of a generator can vary depending on brand and model, so if you opt for a traditional generator, see if the manufacturer or retailers website lists the THD range. The higher the percentage THD, the “dirtier” the power output. You can also find the THD listed in the generator manufacturer’s specifications sheet or manual.
Spoiler alert: Any sensitive electronics will require 5% or lower, meaning you’ll want to look at inverter generators. These appliances, often newer refrigerators, microwaves, led lights, wifi, tvs, will work but may make different sounds or flicker.
Inverter generators
Inverter generators
Overall, inverter generators have some impressive improvements over their traditional counterparts. The newer, more advanced technology allows for advantages in all three categories.
Efficiency
Efficiency
Inverter generators can dynamically adjust its engine speed to match your power demand, making it a much more efficient generator than traditional ones. If you are powering fewer appliances, it can slow down its RPM, which allows it to burn significantly less fuel (20-40%) and produce less CO2. During an extended outage or major weather event when access to gasoline or propane is not guaranteed, this fuel efficiency is a major benefit.
Note: Fuel injected inverter generators like the Honda EU7000iS, are some of the most fuel efficient generators available.
Noise
Noise
Because the engine can adjust to your power needs, it produces less noise, especially at low loads. Additionally inverter generators are often “enclosed” which reduces noise even further, and many brands boast the ability to hold a conversation nearby. Now you can power your home or RV loads without excess noise pollution, making it more enjoyable to be around.
Quality of Power
Quality of Power
Inverter generators have a more stable and higher quality power output due to its AC to DC to AC conversion controlled via microprocessor. Inverters have a THD in the 3-5% range (sometimes lower) which is similar to what you’d expect from the grid. Because of this higher quality, “cleaner” output, inverter generators can safely power more delicate, sensitive devices such as your wifi, LED lights, inverter refrigerators, and small DC power supplies.
Additional Features
Additional Features
Due to the more advanced power conversion, inverter generators often support parallelization, allowing you to run two in parallel to handle higher loads or support 240V. The upside to this is that you have multiple smaller units for portability and redundancy. If one of your generators dies, you have another backup as opposed to using one large traditional generator which could fail and leave you with no backup.
After comparing these two options, you might be thinking that inverter generators are definitely the way to go.
But the extra features come with a price (literally). Generally, inverter generators are more expensive. And because of their more advanced technology, they are more complicated to troubleshoot or fix when there is an issue.
Tips and Tricks
Tips and Tricks
Save 30% of your fuel by turning your generator off at night, or pulsing on/off during the day (CDC Food Safety during a power outage)
An unopened fridge will keep food safe temperature for 4 hrs, additional with ice
Freezers can last 48 hrs if full, and 24 hrs if half-full
Pair with a portable battery or UPS to further extend runtime
Keep your wifi, lights, etc connected to the battery - allowing you to start/stop the generator and keep key equipment running when the generator is off
Charge the battery from the generator when it’s running, increasing load making more effective use of the generators capacity
Generator Maintenance
Frequent oil changes (manufactures suggest checking oil before starting and every 24hr of runtime)
Before an outage
Keep the right oil / oil filter for your generator on hand for top up or oil changes
Trickle charge your generator starter battery
Keep adequate fresh fuel supply on hand or have extra storage containers (ex. 5 gal gas cans)
Ready to choose?
Ready to choose?
Here are some factors to consider:
Power output / loads (2000-9000W, 120V vs 120/240V)
Figure out your expected loads and try to buy a generator appropriately sized, larger generators are heavier, burn more fuel, noisier, and more expensive
For higher power appliances/loads, 240V is probably necessary and is rarely found in generators < 3000 watts
Fuel types available
Consider what types of fuel you have access to, and what your storage plans are.
A generator that can use multiple types of fuel can help ensure you can run it if your access to one type of fuel is limited or cut off during emergencies.
Budget
Include the upfront cost of the generator in addition to the cost of fuel for an extended outage and maintenance supplies
How to connect larger portable generators up to power your home
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