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It supplies up to 7,500 watts of power when using propane but can also operate on natural gas—however power output is limited to 6,000 watts. This add-on will make the generator much easier to use, but you’ll still need to be home to manually activate the switch, and installation costs average around $1,000. That's about what you'll spend on the installation of an entry-level standby generator, which is permanently connected to your home's electrical panel by a professional electrician. So it might make more sense to choose a smaller standby unit, rather than a portable model with transfer switch. Homeowners with very large houses and/or a lot of energy-intensive equipment may find they need to invest in more backup power.
What’s the difference between a home standby generator and a whole-house generator?
We also look at how efficiently a generator uses fuel and how long it runs on a tank of propane. Check out our generator buying guide for more details on our intensive testing program. This rotation generates a moving magnetic field around the stator, which induces a voltage difference between the coil windings. A common question that is often asked about generators is how do home generators work?
Generac 7043 Home Standby Generator
You should expect to pay $1,500 at the least and $7,500 at the most, depending on the type of generator you need and the cost of labor in your area. For the comfort of the homeowner, 10% of the total ranking went to noise level (dbA). Each generator’s noise level was evaluated and from there was scored based on the loudness (or softness) of its average level. This coolant absorbs heat from the engine, then is cycled through to the radiator, where it cools off, then moves back to the engine to maintain an appropriate temperature.
How Much Does a Whole House Generator Cost?
Running under these heavier loads, we measured the highest sound levels for the EU2200i at 81.2 decibels at the generator. At half the size and less than half the weight of the other models in this test, the Honda EU2200i inverter generator is incredibly portable. It’s easy to pick up, move around, or pack in a vehicle—and since the generator is fully enclosed, it can slip into tight spaces without getting caught on anything. Picking the right one means you’ll be able to power up the appliances or equipment you need. Picking the wrong one, or using it improperly, could damage the generator or what is connected to it, at best—at worst, it could be dangerous, posing a risk of fire, electrocution, or carbon monoxide poisoning. Alternative Fuel CapacityMost portable models run only on gasoline, though some come equipped to run on a propane tank or natural-gas line and others can be converted with kits.
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Generac iQ3500 3500-Watt Inverter Generator
And see our Storm & Emergency Guide for expert advice on getting through a weather emergency. But while a generator can be a lifesaver during and after severe weather, it can be dangerous if you don’t take precautions. People tend to buy generators around major storms; working by flashlight, in a rush to get the power up and running, they might skip over critical safety steps during setup. Dozens of people die every year from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning related to generators. Whole house generators come in various sizes and capacities, each with a corresponding price range.
Generac Dealer Southern California
Natural gas generators need to be permanently connected to a home's natural gas supply; the generator can operate as long as the gas supply remains uninterrupted. Generally, natural gas and propane are considered cleaner-burning sources of fuel and provide on-demand sources of power. The best models take that in stride while lower-performing generators bog down or even stall.
It makes everything from small recreational generators up to home standby generators, and its products are widely available, including at Home Depot, as well as through smaller dealers. Multiple OutletsFour or more let you best use the wattage by spreading the load, though we recommend using these only in an extreme pinch at home, or for when you’re away—at, say, a campsite. Electric StartSeveral portable models offer this push-button alternative to the hassle of pull-starting the engine.
We recommend engaging an electrician to install a transfer switch to your house, as well as the necessary cabling to your house's switchbox. Home standby generators are installed permanently, can run on natural gas or propane, and kick on automatically during an outage. Portable and inverter generators can be moved around, and they come in different sizes. Some are smaller for transporting to a tailgate, while others are better kept on your property as a backup power source. And portable power stations are large batteries that store electricity for when you need it. They are the only option for someone who lives in an apartment and has no way to safely run a generator outdoors.
Monitor fuel safety
While this generator does not have a remote monitoring system, it does come with a 10-year limited warranty, offering more than double every other brand on this list. A transfer switch, connected to your home's power box, automatically changes the power source from the electric utility to your backup. The system is designed to detect when the generator starts so your home can use its energy.
Briggs & Stratton’s big selling point is that the generators are 30% smaller than the overall footprint of all competitors due to a taller vertical design that takes up less space on the ground. A smartly placed, front-facing exhaust keeps fumes blowing away from your home instead of toward open windows. Generac Guardian 3-Phase 20kW Automatic Standby Generator Wi-Fi Enabled runs about $5,599 on average. The Generac PowerPact 7,500 Watt Standby Generator runs about $2,049 on average. The Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt Automatic Air Cooled Standby Generator runs about $4,299 on average.
Just factor in the added cost (around $50) if the battery is not included. • Portable power stations are relatively new to the market, and they typically cost more than portable gas generators. • As with a small inverter generator, a portable power station is best for cases in which you know you won’t need power for long, such as camping, tailgating, or inflating an outdoor bounce house. • They run more efficiently and produce fewer emissions than portable generators, but you should still follow all the same safety precautions.
When we switched it to “eco” mode, which reduces engine speed when power isn’t called for, sound was reduced to 76 decibels. You never know exactly when you’ll need it, but having a backup generator makes a huge difference in an emergency. Whether you’ve lost power due to rough weather, or have medical equipment that needs to stay on no matter what, you’ll be glad you have one when it unexpectedly kicks on. These top-rated backup generators will keep your home running when the power goes out.
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