Standby Generator
Portable vs Standby Generator: Which One Fits Your Home?
Portable or standby comes down to how often you lose power, what must keep running, and your budget. A side-by-side guide.
Guide hub
Home Backup & Standby Generators
A standby generator is the closest thing to forgetting the power ever went out. It sits outside on a pad, watches the utility line and starts on its own. It is also the biggest generator purchase most households make, so I built this page around the questions that decide whether one is right for you.
If you are still weighing it up, start with portable or standby and whether a whole-house unit is worth it. Ready to size one? How to size a standby generator walks through the load math, and how much propane standby generators use covers the fuel side. Wiring, gas and permits are licensed work, and I flag where that applies.
Start with these
Standby Generator
Is It Really Worth It to Buy a Whole House Standby Generator?
Whether a whole-house standby is worth it depends on outage frequency, risk and budget. A clear way to weigh it.
Standby Generator
How Big of a Standby Generator Should I Buy?
Most homes land between about 14 and 24 kW. How to pick the size that fits your loads, fuel and budget.
Standby Generator
Standby Generator Sizing, Step by Step
A step-by-step method for sizing a standby generator from your actual loads, surges and fuel supply.
Natural Gas Generators
Natural Gas Standby Generator Install Cost: Where the Money Goes
Typical installed price ranges for a natural gas standby generator, and the gas line, meter and permit costs that change them.
Standby Generator
Do Standby Generators Come with an Automatic Transfer Switch?
Many standby packages include an automatic transfer switch, but not all. What to check and the switch types you may see.
Standby Generator
How Is a Standby House Generator Wired?
How power, control wiring and gas connect a standby generator, transfer switch and panel, explained in order.
Standby Generator
How Much Propane Do Standby Generators Use?
Real burn rates from Generac's spec sheets, how long a propane tank lasts in an outage, and how to plan deliveries.
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