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If you live in an area that’s prone to power outages and you want to keep the lights on and prevent food in your fridge from spoiling, having a generator is essential. There are types of generators that are affordable, versatile, and portable; others types are whole-home standby options that conveniently turn on automatically and produce enough energy to power an entire home. Determining which type is best for your home depends on your budget, what you’re willing to go without when a power outage strikes, and where you live.
What Is a Portable Generator?
A portable generator is a gas-powered machine that you can carry or wheel over short distances. It functions as a temporary power source when the grid goes down, producing enough juice to keep the essentials running, including a fridge, lights and electronics. Portable generators have outlets, so you can power many of your appliances.
“A portable generator can be a good solution for homeowners who only need to power a few essential items for short periods of time and don’t mind manually setting up the generator, storing fuel, and connecting extension cords,” says Amy Northway, president of Power Solutions Specialist, a Briggs & Stratton backup generator dealer in Houston.
Best Portable Generator
Champion 8500-Watt Dual-Fuel Generator with CO Shield
Champion’s 8500-watt dual-fuel generator runs on both gasoline and propane, and has a built-in carbon monoxide shutoff feature. Read the review.
See It at Lowe'sPros of a Portable Generator
- You can transport it: Most portable generators have handles and wheels, which make it possible to move them in and out of storage or to the bed of a truck. Plus, you can take a portable generator with you when you relocate.
- Affordably priced: Portable generators cost significantly less than a standby generator and don’t require the additional expense of professional installation or maintenance.
- Multiple fuel options: A portable generator has multiple fuel options, including propane, natural gas, and gasoline.
- Versatile: In addition to powering appliances in your home, you can also use a portable generator for camping, powering tools, or tailgating.
Cons of a Portable Generator
- Requires setup: You have to wheel a portable generator into place, start it, and plug appliances into it, which takes time and effort.
- Periodic refueling: Depending on the tank size and load, you’ll need to refuel a portable generator every 8 to 16 hours to keep it going.
- Limited power output: Most portable generators don’t produce enough juice to power an entire home, forcing you to choose which appliances and electronics you can and can’t live without.
- Noisy: Portable generators are noisy machines, operating at a loud 85 decibels.
What Is a Standby Generator?
A standby generator is permanently installed outside your home that produces enough electricity to power an entire house indefinitely in the event of a power outage. These machines connect directly to your home’s electrical panel and use your natural gas line for fuel. A standby generator automatically turns on in seconds when the power goes out, seamlessly transferring your power source from the grid to the generator.
“Homeowners who rely on air conditioning during Houston’s summer heat, work from home, have medical equipment, travel frequently, or simply want their home to operate normally during an outage often find that a standby generator provides far greater value and peace of mind,” says Northway.
Pros of a Standby Generator
- Instant power: Since they turn on automatically, there’s no need for setup or instructions for using a standby generator. You don’t even need to be home for it to kick on.
- Cordless: Since a standby generator is wired directly to your home’s electrical panel, it can power everything in the home with no need to plug appliances or extension cords into it.
- Whole home output: A residential standby generator can produce between 10,000 and 26,000 watts, which is enough to power everything in a typical home.
- Continuous fuel: Most residential standby generators use your home’s natural gas connection, giving it an endless supply of fuel.
- Quieter: While standby generators aren’t silent, they’re quieter than a portable generator.
Cons of a Standby Generator
- High upfront cost: Standby generators are more expensive than portable generators, especially since they require professional installation.
- Permanent installation: A standby generator is permanently installed outside the home, so you can’t take it with you when you move. If you try to disconnect it, it will be very expensive and you will likely void the warranty.
- Higher maintenance: Maintaining a standby generator is not a DIY job. It requires professional servicing to ensure it works properly when needed, which is an additional expense.
What to Consider When Choosing a Generator
Choosing the best home generator comes down to budget, power demands, and how often you face power outages in your region.
Price Point
A portable generator is significantly cheaper than a whole home standby generator. You’ll pay about $500 to $3,000 for a portable generator, depending on its power output. In comparison, it costs around $8,000 to $16,000 or more for an installed standby generator depending on the amount of electrical upgrades or gas line work that needs to be done on the house to accommodate the generator.
While standby generators do have a higher upfront cost, you can recoup most if not all of that when you sell your home. The return on investment (ROI) of a standby generator is around 95 percent, according to Zonda/JLC, a data and analytics company for the home building industry, and can exceed 100 percent in regions prone to extreme weather.
Power Capacity
Most homes can operate normally during a power outage with a generator that produces around 20,000 watts. A whole home standby generator can produce enough wattage to cover that amount. In comparison, a portable power station only produces 7,500 to 10,000 watts, enough to power essentials, including a fridge, lights, television, microwave, and small appliances. Most portable generators don’t produce enough power to keep electric-powered HVAC systems online.
Outage Frequency
The stability of the grid in your area is also a factor. If you live in an area in which power outages are common and can last days, it may make sense to invest in a whole home standby generator that doesn’t require set-up and can keep your home running as normal when an outage strikes. “During a hurricane or major storm, fuel can be difficult to find, temperatures can become dangerous, and outages may last for days,” Northway says. “A standby generator connected to natural gas or propane can continue operating without requiring the homeowner to refuel or even be home when the outage occurs.”
Convenience
A standby generator kicks on automatically when a power outage strikes and doesn’t require setup or running extension cords, making it more convenient to use. That said, portable models are more versatile. You can use them at home or take them on the road to power an RV during a camping trip or power tools at a jobsite. “A portable generator can be a good solution for homeowners who only need to power a few essential items for short periods of time and don’t mind manually setting up the generator, storing fuel, and connecting extension cords,” Northway says.
How to Choose the Right Generator
Choosing between a portable or standby generator comes down to budget, energy demands, and whether you live in an area in which extreme weather is common, says Northway. “If the goal is occasional backup power for a few items, a portable generator may be sufficient,” she says. “If the goal is comfort, convenience, and peace of mind during extended outages, a standby generator is typically the better long-term investment.”
