Home backup generator: choosing one and using it safely

Decide what must stay on

Most households do not need whole-home backup. Make a short list: fridge, router, lights, phone charging and any medical device. Add up their wattage and leave headroom for motor start-up surges, which can briefly multiply the draw of a fridge.

• Fridge: moderate running load, high start-up spike.
• Router and phones: tiny load, high priority.
• Medical devices: check the manual and plan double backup.

Fuel or battery

Petrol or gas generators deliver a lot of power for as long as fuel lasts, but they emit toxic exhaust, make noise and need open outdoor space. Battery power stations emit nothing and can be used indoors, though their stored energy is limited; folding solar panels extend them during longer outages.

In a flat without a ventilated terrace, a battery station is the realistic choice. In a detached house with clear outdoor space, a fuel generator can make sense if the safety rules are respected.

Non-negotiable safety rules

The most common cause of generator deaths is carbon monoxide, an invisible and odourless gas that builds up within minutes.

• Never run it indoors, in a garage, shed, basement or enclosed porch, even with the door open.
• Place it outside, well away from windows, doors and air vents.
• Fit carbon monoxide alarms inside the home.
• Never plug it into a household socket; back-feeding can start fires and electrocute utility workers.
• Let the engine cool before refuelling and store fuel in approved containers outside the home.

Maintenance and testing

A generator that is never started fails exactly when it is needed. Run it every few months, check oil and filters as the manual specifies, and rotate fuel, which degrades over time. Battery stations keep best at a mid charge and should be topped up periodically.

Keep extension leads rated for the load, in good condition and fully unwound while in use.