How to Choose the Right Generator for Your Home: A Complete Buyer's Guide

Power outages have become increasingly common across the United States, with the average American experiencing over eight hours of power interruptions annually. Whether caused by severe weather, aging infrastructure, or increased demand, these outages range from minor inconveniences to serious emergencies, particularly for households with medical equipment, home offices, or vulnerable family members.

Installing a backup generator provides peace of mind and ensures your home remains functional during outages. However, selecting the right generator requires careful consideration of your needs, budget, and home's electrical capacity. This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know to make an informed decision.

Understanding Generator Types

Portable Generators

Portable generators offer the most affordable entry point into backup power. These gasoline-powered units sit outside during outages and connect to your home through extension cords or a manual transfer switch. Portable generators typically range from 3,000 to 10,000 watts and cost between $500 and $2,500.

Advantages: Lower upfront cost, mobility for camping or job sites, no installation required for basic use.

Disadvantages: Manual operation (you must be home to start them), require refueling every 8 to 12 hours, produce significant noise, emit carbon monoxide requiring careful placement, and only power selected appliances.

Portable generators work well for occasional outages in mild weather, but they require manual intervention and cannot power your entire home. They are best suited for homeowners on tight budgets who experience infrequent, short-duration outages.

Standby Generators

Standby generators, also called whole-house generators, represent the premium solution for backup power. These permanently installed units automatically detect power outages and restore electricity within seconds, requiring no human intervention. Standby generators run on natural gas or propane, eliminating refueling concerns.

Advantages: Automatic operation, powers entire home or selected circuits, runs indefinitely on utility gas, quieter operation, increases home value, professional installation with permits and inspections.

Disadvantages: Higher upfront cost ($3,000 to $15,000+ installed), requires professional installation, ongoing maintenance needs, permanent outdoor installation.

Standby generators provide the ultimate convenience and protection, particularly valuable for homes with medical equipment, home offices, sump pumps in flood-prone areas, or homeowners who travel frequently and cannot manually start a portable unit.

Determining Your Power Needs

Selecting the appropriate generator size requires calculating your electrical load. Undersized generators cannot power essential appliances, while oversized units waste money on unnecessary capacity.

Essential vs. Whole-Home Power

First, decide whether you need to power your entire home or just essential circuits during outages.

Essential circuits typically include refrigerator, freezer, some lights, a few outlets, furnace or boiler, and sump pump. This approach requires a smaller, less expensive generator (7,000 to 12,000 watts).

Whole-home power includes all the above plus air conditioning, electric range, electric water heater, washer and dryer, and all outlets and lights. This requires a larger generator (15,000 to 24,000 watts or more).

Calculating Wattage Requirements

To determine required wattage, list all appliances and systems you want to power during an outage, then add their wattage requirements. Remember that many appliances require higher "starting watts" than their "running watts."

Common appliance wattages:

• Refrigerator: 600-800 running watts, 2,000-2,200 starting watts
• Freezer: 500-700 running watts, 1,500-2,000 starting watts
• Central air conditioner (3 ton): 3,500 running watts, 10,000-15,000 starting watts
• Gas furnace with blower: 600-1,200 watts
• Sump pump: 800-1,200 running watts, 2,000-4,000 starting watts
• Well pump: 1,000-2,000 running watts, 3,000-5,000 starting watts
• Electric water heater: 4,000-5,500 watts
• Microwave: 600-1,200 watts
• Television: 100-400 watts
• LED lights: 10-20 watts each

A licensed electrician can perform a detailed load calculation to determine the optimal generator size for your specific needs, ensuring you neither overspend on excessive capacity nor undersize your system.

Fuel Type Considerations

Natural Gas

Natural gas generators connect to your home's existing gas line, providing unlimited runtime during extended outages. They start automatically, require no refueling, and produce cleaner emissions than gasoline or diesel.

Best for: Homes with existing natural gas service, areas prone to extended outages, homeowners who prioritize convenience.

Considerations: Requires gas line installation if not already present, slightly lower power output per dollar compared to propane, dependent on utility gas supply (though gas lines rarely fail during outages).

Propane

Propane generators offer similar benefits to natural gas but use stored propane tanks. Propane has an indefinite shelf life, making it ideal for infrequent use. Propane also burns cleaner than gasoline and provides more power per gallon than natural gas.

Best for: Homes without natural gas service, rural properties, areas with unreliable gas service.

Considerations: Requires propane tank installation (typically 250 to 500 gallons for standby generators), tank refills needed based on usage, higher fuel cost per BTU than natural gas in most areas.

Dual-Fuel Capability

Some generators offer dual-fuel capability, running on either natural gas or propane. This flexibility provides backup fuel options if one source becomes unavailable, though dual-fuel units typically cost 10 to 20 percent more than single-fuel models.

Transfer Switch Options

Transfer switches safely connect your generator to your home's electrical system, preventing dangerous backfeeding that could electrocute utility workers or damage your generator.

Manual Transfer Switches

Manual transfer switches require you to physically flip switches to transfer power from utility to generator. They cost $300 to $800 installed and work with both portable and standby generators.

Best for: Portable generators, budget-conscious homeowners, those comfortable with manual operation.

Automatic Transfer Switches

Automatic transfer switches detect power outages and switch to generator power within seconds, with no human intervention required. They cost $800 to $2,000 installed and are essential for standby generators.

Best for: Standby generators, homeowners who travel frequently, maximum convenience and protection.

Brand Considerations

Three manufacturers dominate the residential generator market, each offering distinct advantages.

Generac

Generac holds the largest market share in residential generators, offering the widest range of models from 7.5kW to 150kW. Their generators feature user-friendly controls, extensive dealer networks, and competitive pricing. Generac units typically cost 10 to 20 percent less than comparable Kohler models.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers, those prioritizing dealer availability and service network.

Kohler

Kohler generators emphasize premium quality, quieter operation, and longer warranties. They feature commercial-grade components and typically run 3 to 5 decibels quieter than competitors. Kohler units command premium pricing but offer superior build quality and longevity.

Best for: Homeowners prioritizing quality and quiet operation, those willing to invest more upfront for long-term reliability.

Briggs & Stratton

Briggs & Stratton offers value-oriented generators with solid performance at competitive prices. Their SimpliPHI series provides good quality at price points between Generac and Kohler. However, their dealer network is smaller than Generac's, potentially affecting service availability.

Best for: Value-conscious buyers seeking quality without premium pricing, those in areas with Briggs & Stratton dealers.

Installation Requirements

Generator installation involves more than simply placing a unit outside and connecting wires. Professional installation ensures safety, code compliance, and optimal performance.

Site Preparation

Generators require level concrete pads or composite pads, adequate clearance from structures (typically 18 to 60 inches depending on local codes), and protection from flooding. The installation site must provide access for fuel lines, electrical connections, and future maintenance.

Electrical Work

Licensed electricians install transfer switches, connect the generator to your electrical panel, ensure proper grounding, and verify that the system meets all electrical codes. This work typically takes 4 to 8 hours depending on complexity.

Gas Line Installation

Natural gas generators require gas line installation from your meter to the generator location. Licensed gas fitters size lines appropriately to ensure adequate fuel flow without affecting other gas appliances. Propane installations require tank placement and line routing.

Permits and Inspections

Generator installations require electrical permits and often building permits. Professional installers handle permit applications and coordinate required inspections. Never skip permits—they ensure safety and are required for insurance coverage and home sales.

Maintenance Requirements

Generators require regular maintenance to ensure reliability when you need them most.

Routine Maintenance

Standby generators automatically exercise weekly, running for 15 to 20 minutes to keep components lubricated and charge the battery. Beyond this automatic exercise, generators need:

• Oil changes: Every 100 to 200 hours of operation or annually
• Air filter replacement: Annually or every 200 hours
• Spark plug replacement: Every 2 to 3 years
• Battery inspection and replacement: Every 3 to 4 years
• General inspection: Annually by qualified technician

Many homeowners opt for annual maintenance contracts ($150 to $300 per year) that include all routine maintenance, ensuring their generator remains ready for emergencies.

Cost Analysis

Understanding total ownership costs helps you budget appropriately and compare options.

Upfront Costs

• Portable generator: $500-$2,500 for unit, $300-$800 for manual transfer switch installation
• Standby generator (7-12kW): $3,000-$6,000 installed
• Standby generator (13-20kW): $5,000-$10,000 installed
• Standby generator (22kW+): $8,000-$15,000+ installed

Costs vary based on generator size, brand, installation complexity, and regional labor rates.

Operating Costs

Natural gas generators consume approximately 200 to 300 cubic feet per hour at full load. At average natural gas rates of $1.00 per 100 cubic feet, expect $2 to $3 per hour of operation. Propane costs roughly $3 to $5 per hour at current propane prices.

Most homeowners experience only a few hours of outages annually, resulting in minimal fuel costs. Extended outages lasting days can result in fuel costs of $50 to $150 per day depending on generator size and load.

Long-Term Value

Standby generators typically increase home value by $3,000 to $5,000, recovering a significant portion of installation costs. They also provide intangible value through peace of mind, protection of food and medications, and ability to work from home during outages.

Making Your Decision

Choosing the right generator depends on your specific circumstances, priorities, and budget. Consider these key questions:

How frequently do you experience outages? Frequent or extended outages justify investment in standby generators, while occasional brief outages may be adequately served by portable units.

What must continue operating during outages? Medical equipment, home offices, and sump pumps often necessitate automatic standby generators, while basic needs may be met with portable units.

What is your budget? Portable generators offer basic protection at minimal cost, while standby generators provide comprehensive protection at premium prices.

How important is convenience? Standby generators eliminate manual intervention, while portable units require you to be home, set up the generator, and refuel regularly.

How long do outages typically last? Extended outages favor standby generators with utility fuel sources, while brief outages can be managed with portable units and stored gasoline.

Professional Guidance

Generator selection and installation involve complex electrical, fuel, and structural considerations. Working with licensed professionals ensures you select the appropriate system, install it safely and legally, and maintain it properly for years of reliable service.

At Compass Electric, we have installed hundreds of generators throughout Orange County over our 30+ years in business. Our factory-trained technicians work with all major brands and can guide you through the selection process, handle all permits and inspections, and provide ongoing maintenance to keep your system ready when you need it most.

Contact us today at (845) 545-1290 for a free consultation and detailed proposal for your home's backup power needs.

About the Author: Compass Electric has served Orange County, NY with professional electrical services since 1990. Our licensed master electricians are factory-certified on Generac, Kohler, and Briggs & Stratton generators, providing expert installation and maintenance services.