When deciding on what you need for your new tiny house, it is important to consider the essentials. A generator for your tiny house could be a great idea, but only if you are sure about where and how you will use it and with what fuel source. This article will cover some of the pros and cons of having this type of device on hand, as well as other options that might work better for your needs.
Do I need a generator for my tiny house? Yes, a generator provides electricity if there is an outage, or something happens to interrupt service from the power company. It can also help reduce costs by making appliances run more efficiently at peak hours.
If you are building a self-sustaining home, having one makes sense because you need energy 24/hours per day.
Why Should I Invest in a Generator for My Tiny House?
Investing in a generator for your tiny home should be taken into consideration. The generator will provide you with power if there is an outage or some other event that interrupts service from the electric company. It could also help reduce your electricity bills by running appliances efficiently at peak hours (during the day when rates are most expensive).
How Do Generators Work?
Generators are a type of machine that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. They are powered by gasoline or diesel fuel and typically have an automatic starter (you just push the button). Some models can power the home, but this usually only happens when a natural disaster and utility poles/lines may be down.
How Much Does a Tiny House Generator Cost?
Generators will set you back around $2000 for a generator to power an electric stove, fridge, and some lights. If you want something that will run your whole house, then you’re looking at $8000 or more.
Other costs to keep in mind when looking into purchasing a generator for your tiny home include the generator itself, fuel (if you have to buy it), and installation. There are also maintenance costs that may not be included in the purchase price of your generator.
How Often Should You Perform Maintenance On Your Generator?
Depending on the type of generator and how often you use it, maintenance may be needed every 300 hours or once per year, which means more than one trip if you’re using the generator just during power outages. All generators need some kind of preventive maintenance such as changing air filters like an HVAC system, checking oil levels and belts, etc., but these will vary by model and should be checked before installing into your tiny house.
Is a Generator Necessary for My Tiny House?
There are pros and cons to having one on board, but it all comes down to how much time you spend there and what other needs or devices (like solar panels) would work best with your lifestyle. If electricity is not essential, then this might not be worth investing in right now. What about an off-grid type generator? This could save space if you are trying to keep things as minimal as possible. Other options include gas generators and propane generators.
- You will have power during emergencies or blackouts.
- You can use it to keep appliances running more efficiently and save money on your electric bill.
- If you are building a self-sustaining home, then this is an absolute must!
- A generator can also be a great option if you live in an area that gets cold or goes through harsh winters, as it will operate even when there is ice on your machine.
What type of Generator Should I Get For My Tiny Home?
There are many generator options for your tiny home. They range from electric generators, gas-powered generators to a propane-powered generator.
First things first, how much power do you need? This is going to determine what type of generator you get and the size it needs to be. Second how much do you want to spend? This will affect generator type and size.
Off-grid type generator
This could save space if you are trying to keep things as minimal as possible. It is perfect for people who want to generate power without the use of utility poles and wires.
Keep in mind: Off-grid generators are expensive upfront, but they save money over time because you do not need to buy fuel. They do require maintenance and understand this before deciding which generator type might work best for you.
Gas generators and Propane generators
Gas and propane-powered generators are going to be the most affordable generator option. They are reliable and less expensive than other generator types because they use fuel that can easily be found at your local gas station or hardware store.
Keep in mind: Gas generators work great for people who want a generator with a low initial cost but high ongoing costs due to needing to buy fuel. Propane-powered generators only require small amounts of liquid that are easy to find on-site.
Electric generators
If you are just using the generator for occasional use, such as powering a welder or seeing while building your tiny house, then an electric generator is good enough. You can get one that plugs into an outlet in your home or on-site, so it doesn’t require any fuel source of its own.
Why Should I not Invest in a Generator?
While generators can be great, there are some drawbacks to using one.
- They are usually large, bulky, and expensive.
- If you have a generator that requires gas or propane to operate, it will need to be refilled once in a while. Fuel could get costly if your generator is used frequently.
- You may not want the noise of running machines near where you live full time.
- Solar panels are a better option, especially if you look for a clean alternative to generator power.
So, Should You Invest in a Generator?
The answer is yes. It can be a lifesaver for emergencies or blackouts. You can use it to keep your appliances running more efficiently and save money on your electric bill. If you are building a self-sustaining home, then this is an absolute must. The only drawback that we found was the noise of running machines near where you live full time which could get costly if used frequently.