A generator is an excellent purchase. Whether you need a portable generator to power part of your home's appliances during a power outage, a generator to take with you when working in the field, or a generator to transport throughout the country in an RV, investing in a high-quality generator will pay off for years.
You get what you pay for with any tool, and if you scrimp too much and get a low-cost item, you could run into a slew of issues.
1. Poor efficiency translates to higher operating costs
First and foremost, a less expensive generator will have higher operating costs than a more expensive generator, and this is because the parts will be of poorer quality.
The design will also be less advanced — for example, a cheap generator's compression ratio may be lower, resulting in lesser efficiency. A more affordable generator may also be more likely to burn motor oil, necessitating frequent oil changes to prevent damage to the engine.
This results in higher operating costs. To utilize a cheaper generator, you'll have to spend more on gasoline. Not only will you have to pay more to use your generator, but you'll also have to refill the tank more regularly, which can be difficult, especially if it's in the middle of the night.
2. less expensive Generators have a shorter lifespan.
You can expect a high-quality portable generator to last for 3,000 hours or more with regular use and maintenance. A high-quality generator can easily last two or three decades, depending on how often you use it.
Cheaper generators, on the other hand, may have a substantially shorter service life. After only a few years of operation, you may have engine troubles or the machine may ultimately fail.
This implies that it's usually cheaper to pay a little more money upfront for a higher-quality generator in the long run. Sure, it's more expensive – but it's less costly to buy a fantastic generator once and have it last 30 years than it is to buy three or four inexpensive generators that might only last five.
3. Your Warranty Will Be Insufficient
Our Warranty Will Be Insufficient Warranties are another reason to spend a little more money on a higher-quality generator. Many low-cost generators only have a one-year warranty, whereas higher-quality machines usually have a 2-year or even 3-year warranty.
This means that if you buy a less expensive generator with a shoddy guarantee and it breaks down, there's not much you can do. However, if you spend a little more money on a generator, If something goes wrong, your generator will be repaired or replaced for free for the first few years you own it.
4. You won't be able to get good customer service.
Customer service is excellent with reputable power tool companies such as Honda and Power-Gen USA. Whether you have a query about maintenance, your warranty, or any other information about your generator, you can count on well-known generator businesses to respond quickly.
The same cannot always be stated for generator suppliers. You may not receive accurate information, or customer service professionals may take a long time to react to your messages or phone calls, which can be inconvenient.
5. Cheap generators are usually noisy and emit higher levels of pollution.
This is somewhat dependant on the generator you choose, whether it is an inverter generator or not, and the sound-dampening characteristics it contains.
Every generator will produce some level of noise, and this is a given, given that generators generate electricity using internal combustion engines. Generators can be manufactured with a lower total decibel level when higher quality components and materials are employed, making them more comfortable to operate and reducing noise pollution.
The same may be said about emissions. Carbon monoxide, which is potentially fatal, will be produced by all generators. As a result, they should never be run inside or in garages. Generators must be kept in a secure location, and a well-ventilated space at least 15 feet away from your home, ideally with rain cover.
On the other hand, lesser generators are generally made of cheaper materials and have ineffective carburetors and low compression ratios, increasing emissions and reducing efficiency.
Many top companies, such as Honda and Power-Gen USA, are now experimenting with more efficient, direct fuel-injected generators, which offer higher efficiency, reduced emissions, and lower noise levels.