Last updated on January 11th, 2022 at 10:55 am
If you are looking for some additional power backup options for your apartment or condo, then buying a portable generator can help you.
With a growing number of natural calamities and unexpected blackouts, you can never be prepared for the need for backup power.
If you live in stack-style housing such as apartments, flats, condos, or multi-family houses and have some spare space on your balcony then install a power generator.
Before you spend money make your mind about the use of a generator for your apartment. Are buying it as a whole-house backup or just need a quick power supply during blackouts or need extra power while renovating your apartment.
Once you know the need for the generator for your apartment, then budget that need and decide how much are you willing to spend on power generators, as their price can vary from $200-$1500.
Here are some of the best generators available in the market that might be suitable for your condos or apartment uses.
Contents
1) Champion Power Equipment 76533 Dual Fuel RV Ready Portable Generator with Electric Start
76533 is an open frame portable generator from the Champion. It is dual fuel with 8inch no-flat wheels and a foldable handle you can carry it where ever you need the power. With the high surge and running watts, it can power up, bulbs, sump pumps, TV, refrigerator, heater, AC, and much more that you will need during the power outages. With its TT-30R outlet, it is RV ready also and thus a good companion for RV, tailgating, camping, and many other outdoor purposes.
Protected in a cast iron durable sleeve, The Champion 76533 is run by a 224cc Champion OHV single-cylinder engine that delivers a power output of 120V. With gasoline as a fuel of choice, a running wattage of 3800W and a peak wattage of 4750W is generated. While when powered with propane, a running wattage of 3420W and 4275W peak wattage. It has a push-button electric start with Cold Start technology that will let your generator to start easily in cold weather conditions. The runtime of 9 hours at 50% load is offered with a 3.4-gallon gasoline fuel tank while propane will give a runtime of 10.5 hours with a rated noise of 68 decibels.
The outlets for connecting various appliances on the control panel of 76533 are one 120V 30A RV (TT-30R), one 120V 30A locking (L5-30R), and two 120V 20A (5-20R) outlets. The Volt Guard monitors the power outputs and prevents overload issues and thus makes it safer for use. The Intelligence meter on the control panel offers easy and convenient monitoring of voltage, frequency, and lifetime run hours. The automatic low oil shutdown prevents any damage to the engine during an oil crisis situation in the generator.
2) Briggs & Stratton P3000 Power Smart Series Inverter Generator with Quiet Power Technology
P3000 from Power Smart Series by Briggs & Stratton is the most renowned portable inverter generator. It has a convenient telescopic handle with 6-inch no-flat wheels. Along with it, an overhead mounted handle makes it all comfortable to carry where ever you want it. It is ideal for emergency power backup to run the essentials that you need during power outages. It could be a good silent inverter generator if you staying in a flat where your neighbors are sensitive to noise.
The core of P3000 is a 171 cc Briggs & Stratton OHV 4-stroke engine that delivers the power output of 120V with gasoline as a fuel. This apartment generator offers a running wattage of 2600W and a peak wattage of 3000W. The 1.5-gallon fuel tank offers a runtime of 10 hours at 25% load with a rated noise of just 58 decibels. It generates a clean sine wave with less than 3% TDH, delivering clean and safe power for sensitive gadgets.
The control panel of P3000 has 4 120V 20A (5-20R) outlets, one 120V 30A (L5-30R) outlet, and two DC outlets of 12V 5A and 5V USB for charging the car batteries and camera, laptops, cell phones, and much more. Quiet Power Technology enhances the functionality of P3000 and reduces noise levels. It lets the engine adjust the speed as per the requirement of the load. The built-in fuel gauge offers easy monitoring of the fuel levels. The data center offers the monitoring of the lifetime run hours and power output. The automatic low oil shutdown and circuit breaker enhance the safety of this portable inverter generator.
3) WEN 56380i Super Quiet 3800-Watt Portable Inverter Generator For Apartment Use
56380i is one of the quietest, compact, and portable with modern design inverter generators from WEN. Enclosed in sound-insulated housing, 56380i is a much quiet and durable inverter generator among its competitors in this category. With so much less noise, it is best suited for hunting trips also. With a surge wattage of 3800, it can run many essentials and few power tools whenever you need it during power outages or the job site. It is also suited for apartment owners where neighbors are very sensitive to noise. WEN 56380i can also be called an apartment generator too as it is quiet while running.
A 212 cc WEN OHV 4-stroke air-cooled engine runs the WEN 56380i and delivers the power output of 120V with gasoline as a fuel. A running wattage of 3400W and a peak wattage of 3800W is delivered and thus ideal for running refrigerators, window air conditioners, microwaves, hairdryers, and a lot more. A runtime of 8.5 hours is expected from the 2.2-gallon fuel tank with 50% load. A simple and easy-to-use electric starter is an option to run this generator with a rated noise of just 57 decibels.
The Eco mode of the WEN 56380i keeps the engine running with better fuel economy and delivers better performance. The options for the outlets in the control panel are two 120V 20A (5-20R), one 120V 30A (TT-30R) receptacle, and a 3 12V 8A outlet. The TT-30R outlet makes it RV ready and you won’t be in need to buy any extra adaptors for it. The digital data center offers the monitoring of power output, voltage, and runtime hours. The built-in fuel gauge and light indicators for monitoring the oil levels. The automatic low oil shutdown and circuit breaker make sure that safety is not compromised with WEN 56380i.
4) All Power America APG3014G 2000 Watt Portable Generator for Home Back Up, Hurricane Recovery
All Power America APG3014G is an open frame, portable generator with a durable steel frame and rubber feet that will prevent the vibrations and thus reduces the noise levels. With lightweight and portability, it is ideal for camping, hiking, and other small outdoor events that won’t demand too much power. For home backup, it can run a few essentials including a freezer during those long hours of a power outage.
The core of APG3024G is a 98cc 3 hp. 4-Stroke OHV Engine that delivers the power output of 120V. With gasoline as a fuel, it generates a running wattage of 2000W with a peak wattage of 1400W. The 1.3-gallon gasoline fuel tank offers a runtime of around 9 hours with 50% load. It has a recoil start operator with a rated noise of 65 decibels. It has as low as 1.2% TDH making it safe for sensitive gadgets.
The control panel front offers various outlet options for use like two 120V (5-20R) domestic use outlets to connect various appliances. It also offers one 12V DC outlet with a cord that can be directly used to charge the car batteries when you are traveling. For safety measures, there is overload protection by a circuit breaker and automatic low oil shutdown to protect the engine during those low oil crisis situations.
5) Pulsar G2319N 2,300W Portable Gas-Powered Inverter Generator
G2319N is a stylish, compact, and lightweight portable inverter generator from the Silent Series of Pulsar. The compact and stylish design with an over-head mounted handle makes it very easy to carry just like a suitcase making it ideal for tailgating, camping, picnics, hiking, and much more. With the high surge wattage it offers compared to other products in the category, it is also suited to run the few basic essentials at home during a power outage. With very low-rated noise, it is good to use indoors where noise is a problem for neighbors and thus ideal for apartment uses.
Pulsar G2319N houses an 80cc 4 stroke single-cylinder engine that delivers 120V power output. With gasoline as a fuel, it delivers a running wattage of 1800W and peak wattage of 2300W. The runtime of 4.8 hours at 50% load is expected from the 1.8-gallon fuel tank of G2319N. The parallel connection capability gives you the choice to double up the power whenever you need by connecting it to similar or other compatible units.
The control panel on the front has two AC 120V 13A outlets, one 5V DC USB outlet, and one 12V DC 8A outlet (For charging the car batteries). The clean sine wave keeps the TDH in check and thus delivers clean and safe power for the appliances like mobiles, cameras, laptops, desktops, tablets, etc. The overload protectors are included to prevent voltage fluctuations and keep the appliance connected to it safe. The light indicator for low oil in the control panel.
6) SereneLife Portable Generator – Quiet Gas Free Power Inverter
The SLSPGN20 model from SereneLife is an eminent portable power backup unit that is gas-free. It has no engine to generate the power, in fact, it has a battery to store the power that you have charged in. With no rated noise, it is ideal to use in silent environments like apartments, camping, hiking, hunting, tailgating, and much more. The stylish compact design with an ergonomic built-in overhead handle makes it easy to carry this power backup where ever you need it.
The SLSPGN20 is powered by 3.7V Lithium-ion 42000 mAh rechargeable battery with a life cycle of 500+ charges with a power output of 155Wh. It has an upgraded powerful power capacity, 42000mAh, more built-in USB and DC ports. It offers one 110V Dual AC outlet (max 100W), 3 12V DC ports max (180W),with an extra cigarette socket cable), 3 5V USB ports. Now you can connect simultaneously many devices like a camera, mobile phone, laptops, and much more to charge them up without getting worried about it.
It is equipped with safety measures against overload and voltage control and overpowers control to protect the unit and the appliances. It also has a built-in LED flashlight that can be used in low light regions. The battery level indicator gives easy monitoring of the battery power left. SLSPGN20 can be charged by three different modes among which fastest is connecting it to a wall socket for 8 hours, you can also charge it by connecting to your car battery and one can also use compatible solar panels for charging during the camping and tailgating.
7) EGO Power+ PST3041 3000W Nexus Portable Power Station for Indoor and Outdoor Use
EGO Power+ PST3041 is one of a kindly uniquely designed portable power station that you won’t take your eyes off it. The compact, portable, and stylish design of this power station make it ideal for various outdoor purposes like tailgating, camping, hiking, outdoor events, and much more.
The amount of power it offers makes it ideal substituted for gas generators and still, you can stay gaseous pollutants free. It can run a few essentials that you need to keep running during power outages at home. Its robust steel frame keeps it protected from all the rough work conditions of your job sites. The power output of a running wattage of 2000W and a peak wattage of 3000W is generated which is enough to run many appliances.
It has two included 56 volts 7.5Ah ARC lithium batteries, but it also works with up to 4 EGO batteries of any size and in any combination. An efficient true sine wave delivers the clean and safe power that you can now connect your power-sensitive devices like a camera, cell phone, laptops, tablets, and more with peace of mind. It has a large bright LED screen on the front panel displays runtime and wattage usage. It has 3 120V AC outlets, 4 USB chargers, and 4 battery charging ports.
What size generator do I need for my apartment?
If you are looking for running the essentials during power outages then an inverter generator with 4000W surge wattage and running wattage of 2000W will suffice your need. I will insist on an inverter generator as it has lower-rated noise compared to the traditional open-frame generators. If you still want a quiet one then you should go for solar-powered no gas generators.
Depending on the surge wattage and running wattage requirement of the appliances that you wish to run, you can decide the size of the generator. It is always advisable to have a bigger size generator than your requirement to prevent the problems regarding overload.
Can a small generator power a fridge?
The average surge wattage required by a home refrigerator is around 1000 to 2000W. To run a fridge by a small generator, it should have a minimum surge wattage of more than 2000W so that it won’t create an overload on the generator.
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Conclusion
If you are staying in the apartment and wish to have a generator, it is always advisable to have the generator with lower noise so that your neighbors don’t get disturbed. The other factors including the type of fuel and surge and running wattage should be considered to make the best choice.
