The old adage about fixing the roof while the sun shines also applies to home generators. The best time to install one is before you need it.
Home generators, and increasingly whole-house generators, are becoming more important as climate change-induced power outages increase in frequency and duration across the United States.
Since 2020, blackouts have doubled nationwide as global warming has provoked extreme hurricanes, wildfires, and storms. In 2021, the average power outage lasted over 5 hours and 10 minutes compared to 3 hours and 20 minutes in 2013.
Weather is often unpredictable, but it pays to be prepared and have peace of mind. Read on to find out everything you need to know about home generators.
Do I Need a Home Generator for My House?
Some homeowners, particularly those who live off-grid, will most likely be well-versed in home generators. An alternative power source is vital when you are self-reliant.
But other people also want the peace of mind that a home generator brings. Those who rely on electrical medical equipment require immediate power solutions during outages. For others, long-term power loss can cost thousands of dollars, from spoiled food in refrigerators to fixing the damage caused by burst pipes or a non-functioning sump pump. Many people have fish tanks and aquariums that also need constant power.
A robust home generator can keep the lights, air conditioner, and heat running, as well as power the Wi-Fi to keep people connected with power outage updates.
How Do Home Generators Work?
A home generator provides electrical power to your home during a power outage. How it does that depends on the type of generator installed.
There are whole-house generators that automatically kick in when the lights go out. Alternatively, there are portable generators, like the usually gasoline-powered ones emergency workers use.
What Is a Whole-House Generator?
A whole-house generator does what it says on the label; it can power an entire home. These types of generators are also called home standby generators or automatic standby generators.
These generators are stationary and fixed outside a home. Their fuel type is either natural gas (connected to the main gas lines or canisters) or bottles of liquid propane. They sit idle until there’s a power outage.
The standby generator will start up power generation as soon as it detects a power outage via the electrical panel. An automatic transfer switch begins to push electricity to the whole home or devices selected during installation. Once grid-based electricity returns to the house, the automatic transfer switch turns the generator back to its standby function.
Many newer home standby generators have software for remote monitoring and control via smartphones and tablets.
What Are the Main Types of Portable Generators?
Portable generators are easily recognizable as the gasoline-chugging, noisy apparatus that service workers employ in remote or power-free zones. However, these aren’t the only option. There are three main types of portable power stations.
Classic portable generators are power units that run on gasoline, propane, and diesel fuel sources. These generators can generate enough power to run a central air conditioner and more.
Inverter generators are similar to the classic portable generator. However, depending on demand, the inverter runs its motor at higher or lower levels, making them more efficient than the classic portable generator.
Portable power stations, or battery-powered inverter generators, use a large rechargeable battery to deliver enough power for a limited run time to a few small appliances. These may be charged through solar panels or by plugging them in.
Classic and inverter generators supply power to extension cords from which people plug in their appliances. Alternatively, some can be manually switched into a home’s electric panel.
Pro tip: Only connect a portable generator to an electrical panel precisely and safely set up that way — ask an electrician or a fully-qualified and accredited installer to help.
Of course, you can only use devices with suitable plugs, which may cover essentials like water heaters and fans. Some power-hungry appliances require more powerful outlets and may not be used.
Air-Cooled or Liquid-Cooled Home Generator?
Generators create heat when working and need constant cooling, with two systems from which to choose: air-cooled or liquid-cooled.
An air-cooled system draws in cool air from outside the generator to blow over it, reducing its temperature. Prolonged use of air-cooled systems may see them overheat, at which point they switch off.
A liquid-cooled system has a pump that circulates a coolant or oil around the engine to keep it from overheating. These systems are generally more robust and work well in hot climates, where a generator may be used for air conditioning.
Do I Need a Portable Generator or a Home Standby Generator?
The generator you require depends very much on your needs. Here are some considerations to take into account before buying a home generator, whether it’s portable or fixed.
Safety
A home standby generator should be fitted by a fully-qualified and accredited installer. With regular maintenance and checking, almost all home standby generators should work as reliably as a natural gas furnace or the electricity supply. Always make sure the system comes with a warranty.
A portable or inverter generator presents a few more safety issues. Carbon monoxide poisoning from their exhaust emissions, possible burns from touching a hot generator, and electric shocks can occur if not used properly. Remember: you may have to set the generator up in the dark and during extreme weather conditions.
You must always use extension cords provided by the generator’s supplier, never overload them, use ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs), and keep the generator dry. Never run a generator indoors, don’t smoke in their vicinity, and don’t spill fuel on hot motors because they could ignite.
Power Spikes
Power spikes occur when appliances temporarily draw large amounts of electricity, such as when a refrigerator starts up its motors or you turn on the HVAC system. Find out how your chosen home standby and portable generator options will cope with short-lived but critical power spikes to ensure you choose the right one.
Your Location
Think about your home’s location. Can you get enough fuel to power a home standby generator? Fuel supply is not an issue if your house is connected to main natural gas. Know how long you could be without power and plan accordingly. Home standby generators are generally longer-lasting and more reliable, whereas a portable generator may need refueling sooner. People in hot climates may prefer to purchase a liquid-cooled generator to keep it from overheating.
Budget
Calculate your budget because home standby generators are usually more expensive to buy. Make a realistic assessment of your skills. Portable generators require more know-how — and you have to be home to work on them. You can operate modern home standby generators from apps on smartphones or tablets.
Regular maintenance is a further consideration. Can you perform oil changes, oil filter replacements, and so on? Again, honesty with yourself is best when deciding. Always remember you’ll most likely need your generator during an emergency blackout.
Number of Appliances
Finally, how many appliances do you want (or need) to run? Portable generators have limits on power generation whereas a whole-home generator can power a whole home.
What Size Generator Do You Need to Power a House?
The size of the generator you need to power up a house depends on your power needs.
The average U.S. home uses 886 kilowatts of energy monthly. Most experts estimate the average American home needs a generator offering between 7,500-10,000 watts to run most of its small and large appliances as usual.
Before buying a generator, you’ll need to drill down into your devices’ power needs a little more. Every home appliance comes with a wattage or watt value. This is how much electricity is required to run them, also called the running watts.
For instance, let’s look at a central air conditioner. It may require anything from 1,000 to 5,000 watts to run. But it may draw four times that amount of power upon start up, called the starting watts. For example, a 2,000 watts HVAC may sound like it would suit a 2kW generator but in fact, it needs an 8kW generator to cover the start-up power requirements.
A fully-qualified generator installer can help you calculate what size and type of generator you require. Alternatively, you can add your entire appliance running watt requirements to the single highest starting watt (often the HVAC) to determine the generator size needed.
Where Should a Whole House Generator Be Located?
A whole-house or home standby generator must be outside. It should be between the electric meter and, if using natural gas, the gas meter. The primary aim is to reduce the length of pipes running between the generator and the meters.
A home standby generator should be at least five feet from a window or door and 18 inches from a side wall. Each generator has different specifications, so check with the installer. You’ll also need to build a gravel pad to support the generator.
Portable generators must always be used outside and at least 20 feet from a window or door, with the exhaust facing away from home. That applies to homes, garages, and even covered walkways or lean-tos. You should place it on flat, stable ground. Never use a portable generator inside the home because you put yourself and all occupants at a high risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
A battery-powered, portable power station may be used indoors because it doesn’t give off emissions. It is the only generator that can be used inside safely.
How Much Does It Cost to Have a Generator Installed in Your House?
There are two things that affect how much it’ll cost to install a generator in your home:
- Whether it’s a portable generator or a home standby generator
- The amount of electricity you want the generator to supply
The average price of portable generators in the United States is between $600-2,500, with some generators worth well over $7,000. In general, the more you pay, the higher the power output. You can also invest in extras like quieter engines or a more efficient inverter generator.
Turning to home standby generators, the average installation cost in America is between $10,000-$20,000, although some are as cheap as $2,000. The average actual spend is $15,000 for an 18 kW system that should power a home of 2,000 square feet.
How Big a Generator Do I Need for a 2,500 Square Foot House?
You may need to spend between $20,000-25,000 for a home standby generator suitable for a 2,500 square-foot home with above-average energy needs. That would give plenty of power for HVAC cooling or heating systems, large appliances, and possibly even EV charging.
Which Home Generator Is the Best?
The best home generator is the one most suited to your needs. There are lots of famous brands out there. Here are a few well-known brands:
- Honda
- Generac
- Briggs & Stratton
- Kohler
Browsing home improvement retail sites will reveal a treasure trove of portable and home standby generators.
Pro tip: We strongly recommend contacting a fully-qualified and insured home generator company to discuss your needs before making a purchase.
Get the Best Generator to Protect Your Home and Family
The world and its power needs are changing, and backup power generation is fast becoming more important in our quest for reliable energy supplies. The climate emergency has made power grids less reliable. Storms, hurricanes, floods, and more extreme weather events have all made outages more likely.
The transition to renewable energy may also mean that there may be rolling blackouts and brownouts or power shortages when the wind doesn’t blow or the sun doesn’t shine. While utilities do their best to keep the network running, it doesn’t always work.
All this means that backup power generators are becoming more appealing to people who want energy security for their homes, regardless of location. People can choose a cheaper-to-buy but harder-to-use portable generator or opt for a more stable and powerful whole-house generator that costs more.
A backup power generator is still a luxury to many. However, if the lights do go out for an extended period, regret would make an uncomfortable and not exactly warming companion.
Brought to you by amigoenergy
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