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Installing a whole-house generator is a relatively simple procedure. In many cases, you may not even require the services of a professional. However, for more technical setups like connecting to a gas line and wiring your home for the generator, you may need technical or professional assistance.
Best Fuel Usage: WEN Portable Inverter Generator

Just factor in the added cost (around $50) if the battery is not included. • You have your choice of fuel—propane, which is less risky to store than the gasoline required for the other models here, or natural gas, which provides an unlimited supply of power. The amount of power they deliver determines how many electronics and appliances you can run at once; figure on about 5,000 watts for a typical home.
Electric Start
These workhorses provide 7,000 to more than 8,000 watts of power and usually weigh upward of 200 pounds. They’re what you want to use to power most or all of your home’s essentials during a prolonged outage. Propane, Gas, and electric start features among others make the DuroMax XP12000EH Dual Fuel Portable Generator one of the best whole house generators.
Buying Guide to Portable Generators
What’s great about portable power stations is they can be used inside your home or apartment since they do not produce any dangerous emissions. Home generators have the largest power capacity of any type of non-industrial generator and are usually able to provide power to an entire home. While portable generators often average between 3,500 and 10,000 watts, home generators usually have a capacity of 10,000 to 50,000 watts, or even more. 50-amp and 100-amp ATS are generally known as load transfer switches.
Since they’re not portable or easily moved, we didn’t include any here. These generators, sometimes called backup generators, are used to provide temporary power when and where it is needed. While the smallest models can be picked up and carried, most have wheels and a handle to make transport easier. However, at 100 pounds or more, picking them up to load or move may take two people. Appliances, power tools, or other devices can be plugged directly into standard outlets on the generator’s front panel.
Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect™ 12kW Standby Generator, Model 040666
A 10-kW generator consumes around 100 to 120 cubic feet per hour of natural gas running at half capacity, while a 20-kW model requires between 190 and 290 cu ft/h at half load. Depending on the generator size and fuel cost, expect operating costs of between $50 and $210 per day. Generators burning natural gas can be directly tied to the home’s natural gas line, allowing practically limitless fuel without having to worry about running out. The disadvantages of natural gas are that it’s less energy-efficient than propane and will therefore produce less power and that the generator remains dependent on the gas grid for backup power.
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The only thing missing from this package is an automatic transfer switch, which is sold separately. The biggest generator we tested, Generac’s GP6500 COsense, boasts a generous starting capacity of 8,125 watts. This means the generator can handle startup loads from big appliances or tools that could be two- to three-times their running watts. The major con of portable power stations is the cost per watt, which can be significantly higher than traditional portable generators.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase. This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Ultimately, you’ll want to choose a model that has a good reputation for reliability.
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We also confirmed that it runs just a little quieter on propane, with 78.2 decibels under load at 25 feet versus 81.5 decibels on gas. To hit the running capacity, we powered two air conditioners, a portable heater, a table saw, and a planer. Despite the slew of devices it can run, we were able to easily have conversations around the generator; it’s that quiet. While it costs a lot, we believe this generator is worth the money considering how much if provides.
It’s an affordable model built to withstand sub-zero temperatures and heavy rains. The Guardian 24kW Standby Generator is one of the most powerful air-cooled generators on the market. Air-cooled generators take in cold air from the atmosphere to prevent overheating, making them more durable than other models.

This unit could also supply power at construction sites, or to large RVs that have significant power needs. We researched popular features, scoured consumer reviews, and talked with product engineers to pick the generators in this guide. Nonetheless, the peace of mind a home standby generator can give may justify the expenditure, especially if the power goes out often where you live. The largest home standby generators in Consumer Reports’ tests are rated to deliver at least 10,000 watts of electricity, enough to power everything under the average roof. Smaller standby models provide at least 5,000 watts, enough to power most key household appliances, electronics, and systems in your home—for instance, the refrigerator, air conditioning system, and well pump.
Switching between the fuels is simple, and you won’t be tied into the availability of one type of fuel. At the time of publishing, our team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations. For example, if you want to power small appliances, such as a coffee maker or television, we recommend investing in a portable power station. We found that customers who liked the Jackery Portable Power Station frequently mentioned its durability, easy setup, and reliability, especially considering its cost.