A generator is a machine that turns mechanical energy into electrical energy. It provides electricity to devices and appliances when you are not connected to the power grid. Generators are important safety equipment during natural disasters such as hurricanes and snowstorms, or during any power outage. Having a home generator will allow you to keep on lights, important appliances, essential medical equipment and your home’s heat. If you live in an area that gets frequent but short outages, a generator can ease the inconvenience and ensure your day is never interrupted by an unexpected blackout.
Smaller generators are also useful for powering RVs, boats and workshops without electrical wiring. Keep a portable generator on hand for activities like tailgating and camping, when you may need to power small appliances or charge devices.
With power outages and rolling blackouts on the rise in many parts of the country, some homeowners are taking things into their own hands and purchasing home generators to give them peace of mind. Home generators can be used as a backup power source or simply to reduce reliance on the power grid.
But before you run to Home Depot to buy a portable generator, it’s important to do your research and choose one with the power generation capacity you need.
Here’s everything you need to know about home generators, including how much they cost, which fuel sources they use, and how much power they can generate.
Home generators vary widely in terms of size, power capacity, and fuel type. Here are the three most common types of generators you’ll find for home use.
Home standby generators, also called whole home generators, are the most powerful generators you can buy for home use.
Whole house generators are designed to power your entire home, including your air conditioner, water heater, kitchen appliances, and more.
The downside to whole house generators is that they’re expensive, and they require a lot of space to install. On the plus side, they can connect directly to your existing gas line and provide reliable standby power in the case of an emergency.
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Portable generators are exactly as described: they’re small and easy to move so you don’t have to worry about an expensive installation process.
Most portable generators have wheels and are small enough to fit in the back of a car or truck, which means you can take them to a campground or worksite. You can plug power tools and other small appliances directly into the generator.
Portable generators usually run on gas or propane and they’re much cheaper than a whole home generator. Of course, they don’t produce anywhere near as much power so they aren’t as useful in an emergency as a home backup generator. Still, they can keep the lights on during a short-term power outage.
The third type of home generator is called an inverter generator. This type of generator produces a different type of current that’s stable enough to charge electronic devices like phones and laptops.
Inverter generators have several benefits: they’re quieter than standard generators and they use less fuel. They’re also available in both portable and full-size units.
However, they can’t be used for large appliances, and you’ll need to set them up at least 20 feet from the nearest building to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Another thing to consider is which type of fuel you want your generator to use. Some types of fuel are cheaper and more energy-efficient than others, but they may not be readily available when you need it. Here are the four most common fuel sources for home generators and some things to keep in mind about each.
Gas-powered generators are convenient and affordable. Most of the time, gasoline is a plentiful fuel source. But prices can go up and down over time and there may be limited availability when you need it most—such as during a natural disaster.
The other downside is that gas produces significant carbon emissions and contributes to air pollution inside and outside your home.
If you choose a gas generator, be sure to store some gasoline in an airtight container that you can use in an emergency.
More efficient than gasoline generators, diesel generators are a better fit for homes in extreme environments since they can handle winter temperatures. They’re only practical as whole home generators, though, since they aren’t very portable.
Although they cost more than gas generators, you may save money in the long run due to their longer lifespan and lower operating costs.
Natural gas generators are some of the most efficient home generators you can buy. In many cases, you can connect the generator directly to your gas line, so you don’t have to worry about keeping spare fuel canisters on hand.
Of course, if the electricity and natural gas go out, as they did during the 2021 winter storm in Texas, your backup generator won’t do you any good.
Still, for some homeowners, a natural gas generator may be worth the higher sticker price and maintenance costs.
Finally, there are solar generators, which use energy from the sun to produce electricity. You can install solar panels on your roof to power a whole home standby generator, or use portable solar panels to power a portable generator.
Solar energy is a renewable energy source so this is the best generator available from an environmental perspective. However, solar panels can be expensive to install and they may not produce enough electricity when you need it most.
Solar generators work best when they’re paired with a home energy storage device, such as a battery pack, so you can store excess power.
Whether or not a home generator is worth it depends on where you live and how likely you are to use it. If you live in a region with frequent power outages or blackouts, then having a backup generator can give you peace of mind.
A backup generator can ensure that important appliances continue running, including your refrigerator, air conditioning unit, space heaters, and sump pump.
Even if you don’t live in an area with frequent power outages, having a portable power station can be convenient for working outdoors or going on camping trips.
Of course, home generators are expensive, and they aren’t right for everyone. You’ll need enough space in your yard to install it, and you may need to keep some spare gasoline canisters or propane tanks on hand.
If power outages aren’t a major concern for you, then maybe you don’t need a whole home backup generator and a small portable generator will do.
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Natural gas and solar generators are the best choice when it comes to fuel-efficiency and reliability, but they cost more to install and maintain. You’ll need a whole home generator if you want to power all of your appliances.
An automatic transfer switch can turn the generator on as soon as the power goes out, so there aren’t any gaps in the electricity supply. Some models even support remote monitoring, so you can check the status of your generator over Wi-Fi.
Portable generators are cheap and convenient, but they have a smaller power output. Plus, you’ll have to start them manually and it can take time for them to kick in.
If your generator is meant to power electronic devices, such as a computer server, you may need an inverter generator or uninterruptible power supply.
If you’re considering a home generator, you’ll want to hire a professional electrician to install it. They’ll install a transfer switch to connect it to your main electrical panel so you don’t have to plug things into the generator with an extension cord.
According to News & World Report, the cost of a professional installation can be anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000 for a whole home generator. The total cost of buying and installing the generator ranges between $10,000 and $20,000.
If you’re on a budget, you can purchase a portable generator for as little as $200 but this may not be enough to supply all of your power needs.
When determining what size generator you need, calculate the wattage of the appliances that you want to power with it. At the low end, a 5,000-watt generator should be enough to handle your basic home energy needs.
If you have an especially large house or a large number of appliances, then consider a larger home generator—up to 20,000 watts.
A central air conditioning unit alone can use several thousand watts, so do the math and make sure your appliances won’t overwork your generator.
Home generators can produce toxic emissions like carbon monoxide so it’s important to keep them outdoors away from doors and windows. Current guidelines recommend placing them at least five feet away from any openings and 18 inches away from any walls.
Portable generators should be placed even further away and never operated indoors, even in spaces with plenty of ventilation.
With proper maintenance, whole house generators have a lifespan of up to 3,000 hours. They should last for 20 years or more if you only use it a handful of days each year.
No, there’s currently no tax credit simply for installing a whole house generator. If you’re installing a home generator out of medical necessity, then you may be able to deduct it as a qualified medical expense so ask a tax professional.
If you’re installing a system with solar panels, then you may be eligible for a tax credit under the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit.
The state of California has proposed offering tax credits for backup generators installed in a “wildfire zone,” but this hasn’t yet been enacted.
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Cheap portable generators start at $200 while whole home generators can cost up to $20,000. A 5,000-10,000-watt generator (enough for a mid-sized home) should cost between $500 and $2,000, not including installation.
Home generators can run on several different power sources. Gasoline, diesel, natural gas, and solar power are some of the most common sources.
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Companies like Generac and Briggs & Stratton have a network of retailers and partners that you can hire to install and maintain your generator. Both companies offer a five-year warranty by default, and you may be able to purchase an extended warranty.
If you don’t purchase your generator through an official retailer, hire an electrician who has experience installing home generators and transfer switches.
Home generators aren’t a one-size-fits-all power solution. The Generac Guardian Wi-Fi Enabled Standby Generator and the Briggs & Stratton Automatic Air Cooled Standby Generator get consistently good reviews, but they may not be right for everyone.
Consider how much backup power you need, how often you’re likely to use a standby generator, and which fuel source is most affordable or convenient.
For portable generators, consider the Honda EG2800i Portable Inverter Generator or the Kohler PRO2.8i, which is great for recreational use.
Who Should Get a
Home Generator?
If you live in a region that experiences rolling blackouts, wildfires, or adverse weather events, then a whole home generator can give you peace of mind that your appliances will continue to run in the event of a power outage.
But a whole home generator can be expensive—not including installation fees—so a portable generator may be sufficient if you have fewer appliances or less urgent power needs.
Be sure to choose the generator size, fuel type, and transfer switch that’s the best fit for your electrical system to get the best value for your money.
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