--- title: "94 Percent of U.S. Homes Aren’t Equipped With This Important Feature—But Here’s Why You Need It" description: "Having a powerful and reliable whole-house generator on standby alleviates the risks associated with power outages." date: "2024-10-22" modified: "2024-10-22" authors: - name: "Gretchen Heber" job_title: "Contributing Writer & Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/gretchen-heber/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/sponsored-content/whole-house-generator-benefits/" categories: - "Energy & Power" - "Exterior" - "Generators" - "Sponsored Content" tags: - "Sponsored" --- # 94 Percent of U.S. Homes Aren’t Equipped With This Important Feature—But Here’s Why You Need It ![Only one house in a suburban neighborhood has lights on during a storm.]() *Photo: Courtesy of Kohler* Extreme weather and increased demands on the power grid can lead to blackouts that are inconvenient at best and dangerous at worst. Having a powerful and reliable whole-house generator on standby alleviates the risks associated with power outages. A startling 94 percent of American households are without whole-house generator benefits, according to Kohler Energy, a global leader in backup power solutions for more than 100 years. This means a significant portion of American families are defenseless against potentially life-threatening power outages. Food storage, power-dependent medical equipment, and basement-saving sump pumps are among the electricity-run devices that you don’t want to be without in times of emergency—not to mention heat or air conditioning. ## [What Is a Standby Generator?]() A standby generator is a system that automatically provides power to a home when the power grid goes offline. Today’s standby generators, such as the [KOHLER 26 kW Home Generator](), activate automatically when they detect a power loss to immediately supply crucial electricity to a home. The best whole-house generator is one that is permanently installed in a fixed position outside the home, similar to an air conditioning unit. Standby generators [connect to a home’s integrated supply]() of natural gas or propane to produce enough electrical power to supply an entire home. These differ from portable generators, which get their fuel—typically gasoline or propane—from a nonintegrated source, requiring frequent and manual refueling. Whole-home generators are typically enclosed in a weatherproof housing to protect them during bad weather. ![A red Kohler 26 kW home generator installed outside of a house.]() *Photo: Courtesy of Kohler* ## [Benefits of a Whole-House Generator]() While portable generators can be useful in a pinch, they won’t be able to handle an entire home’s needs for an extended period of time, and the homeowner must start one manually in the event of a power loss. When a whole-house generator kicks in automatically, on the other hand, power continues to flow seamlessly to everything in your home for as long as you need it, offering [numerous benefits]() for the health and safety of your family. For people receiving medical care at home, for example, power to CPAP or nebulizer equipment is essential. Those who rely on sump pumps to keep their homes safe from flooding need a reliable power supply from a home generator, especially during inclement weather when flooding risk increases. Everyday appliances, too, are important. If you stock up the fridge and freezer in anticipation of a big storm, you definitely don’t want that food to spoil due to lack of power. Keeping the AC or heat running during grid failures is essential too, as is the uninterrupted operation of your home’s security system. ## [Choosing the Best Generator for Your Home]() Look at a number of factors when [selecting a generator for your home](). Among the most important is the amount of power your home needs to run smoothly during a blackout period. Also, think about the frequency and duration of power outages your neighborhood typically endures. You’ll want to find a generator that can meet the needs of your particular situation. The [KOHLER 26 kW Home Generator](), for example, can provide ongoing power to a home over several days or weeks. Think about durability when choosing a generator—you’ll want one that will be reliable in all types of weather, year after year. Also, consider checking with your homeowners association, which might have size or noise restrictions you’ll want to take into account. ![A Kohler standby generator installed outside of a home in the rain.]() *Photo: Courtesy of Kohler* ## [What It Takes to Install a Standby Generator]() Putting in a standby generator is definitely not in the DIY realm. This complex undertaking should be handled by licensed professionals—both an electrician and a plumber are required—who have considerable experience [installing standby generators](). Additionally, these installs typically require permits of various types, and sorting out codes and regulations in your particular jurisdiction can be an exercise in frustration. It’s often best to work with someone, like your local Kohler dealer, who can help cut through red tape and make the process smooth. ## [How to Use a Generator During Power Outages]() Professionally installed, high-quality standby generators such as the [KOHLER 26 kW Home Generator]() connect to a home with an automatic transfer switch as part of the setup. The transfer switch is connected to both the generator and to the main electrical panel of the home. The automatic transfer switch monitors the electricity received from the utility service. When it detects an outage, it [automatically switches the power source]() from the utility to the standby generator. This process takes about 10 seconds, and the homeowner doesn’t have to do a thing. The generator will continue to power the home until the transfer switch detects a signal from the utility, at which time it switches the power source back to the grid. ![A blue Kohler home generator installed near a coastal home.]() *Photo: Courtesy of Kohler* ## [When to Buy a Whole-House Generator]() The [best time to buy a standby generator]() depends on where you live. You absolutely want to have one in place before storm season hits, and that varies, of course, from region to region. If you live in a hurricane-prone area, for example, have a generator installed well before early June, when hurricane activity begins. If cold, snowy winters are common in your climate, consider purchasing a generator in late summer or early fall. Sometimes it’s not a storm but instead extended heat waves that can bring a power grid down. If you live in an area plagued by summer blackouts or brownouts, get your generator installed before summer’s punishing temperatures kick in. All that aside, the short answer, ultimately, is that now is the best time to install a whole-house generator, while protecting your family is top of mind. ## Author Gretchen Heber is a writer, marketer, and entrepreneur based in Texas. A former garden editor and designer with the [Austin American-Statesman]() and [Lexington Herald](), she is passionate about succulents, herbs, and fruit trees, as well as lighting, energy efficiency, and all things home.