How to Buy a Generator: Petrol, Diesel, Gas, Inverter
How much power do you really need?
The most common mistake is buying “by eye”. Make a list of the appliances that must run at the same time and add up their power. But electric motors (fridge, pump, compressor) draw several times more at start-up than while running, so you need some reserve. Tell the seller not only the kW, but also what exactly you will connect.
On BlaBlaPrice you write one request, and generator sellers send offers with price and delivery. It is free for buyers, and your phone number stays hidden.
Inverter or conventional
An inverter generator gives stable voltage, is quieter and uses less fuel, so it is safe for electronics and computers. It usually costs more per kW and is meant for small and medium loads. A conventional one (with AVR) is cheaper and more powerful, copes well with pumps and tools, but is louder.
Fuel and starting
- Petrol is the most common choice for homes and farmhouses.
- Diesel is for long running and heavy loads, and is usually more durable.
- Gas or gas-petrol is convenient if you have a cylinder or a pipeline; ask whether it is already converted.
- Starting can be manual, electric start or auto-start (ATS), which switches the generator on when the mains goes off.
For a house where you want backup without anyone being there, look for a model with auto-start and ask about the ATS panel. The phase matters too: single-phase or three-phase.
Think about where you will place it. A generator must never be run in a closed room, because the exhaust contains carbon monoxide. It needs a ventilated spot under a shelter, away from windows, and earthing if the model requires it.
What to put in your request
- Power in kW or kVA.
- Fuel type.
- Condition: new or used.
- Phase: single-phase or three-phase.
- Generator type: inverter or not, open frame or in a silent canopy.
- Model, if you have already chosen.
- Starting: manual, electric, auto-start.
- Delivery and budget.
Example: “I need a new 5 kW inverter generator, single-phase, in a silent canopy, with electric start, for a house near Kowloon. Delivery to Kowloon, budget up to HK$7,500.”
How to compare offers
Look at the real running power, not the peak: sellers sometimes quote only the maximum. Ask about fuel use per hour, engine life, tank size and noise level. Check what is in the box: oil, wheels, battery. For a used one, ask for a video of it starting and a photo of the hour meter.
BlaBlaPrice shows the best-value offer first, and you can see reviews next to each seller. Sellers see their place and compete for your request. How it all works is explained here.
If you want something quieter and more compact, look at portable power stations or UPS units, and to protect your appliances, voltage stabilisers.
