The EPA is planning to put forth new emissions standards which will potentially make generators more efficient and produce less toxic emissions like methanol. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently requesting public comment on the issue in order to make their final ruling.
The upcoming decision to update generator emissions standards comes after environmental groups, utilities and state regulators asked for new requirements to be considered as part of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE NESHAP).
The new standards come as generator producers are also looking to update the efficiency of their commercially available energy alternatives in order to make them more appealing to homeowners who are concerned about back-up power during blackouts. While many are looking to renewable energy sources, such as residential solar or wind power generators, these energy sources aren’t viable for all, which is where a generator would be a better option. And the introduction of “smart generators” for the household is making the idea of having a generator at home for emergency situations more appealing.
Home generators are able to power a household’s large appliances, such as fridges, heaters, air conditioners, electric stoves and laundry machines during emergency and blackout situations. They can also power lighting fixtures, which is one of the most critical needs when in a situation where a household is coping without power for hours on end.
Generators have been around for years, but now with ‘smart grid’ technology, a smart generator can help balance a home’s power consumption and prioritize which appliances receive the power. This method of power distribution is intended to be more efficient, while at the same time providing homeowners with a lower cost option to keep the lights on during an emergency situation.
