When it comes to picking the right generator for your home, the various possibilities may seem confusing. However, having a generator on standby will give you peace of mind. Most homeowners wonder whether they should go for a portable or a standby generator.
Both options deliver their own benefits, however, making a final decision is much more complicated. This blog post covers everything you need to know about finding a home generator, including our top 5 picks for 2024.
What Should You Consider When Choosing A Generator?
One of the main things you should keep in mind when picking a generator for your home is the number of your key electrical appliances. Try to calculate an estimate of their wattage needs. This will help you determine how much of a power output you will need from your generator.
An average house will need approximately 7,500 watts to support the most essential appliances. If you want to install a generator that will provide full power for your home, you may need to go for a +10,000-watt generator.
Another thing you should keep in mind is the fuel consumption of the generator, as well as the typical duration of outages in your area. Generally, the majority of portable generators work on gasoline and can support lighting and refrigerators.
However, they are not reliable when it comes to longer-term backups. If you expect the power to be out for several days, you should probably consider getting a standby generator.
On the other hand, generators that work on natural gas must be permanently connected to your home’s gas supply. If the supply is uninterrupted, the generator will keep running with no problem.
Natural gas and propane are more popular, as they are considered cleaner sources of burning fuel. Here is a rough estimate of energy loads for some of the most common home appliances and the recommended generator for each case:
| Energy Load | Wattage | 7 KW Generator | 17 KW Generator | 48 KW Generator |
| 10 lighting circuits | 1000 W | ✓ | ||
| Fridge | 1200 W | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Microwave | 1000 W | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electric oven | 2000 W | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Washing machine | 1200 W | ✓ | ||
| Clothes dryer | 6750 W | ✓ | ||
| PC | 200 W | ✓ | ✓ |
How Do We Classify Home Generators?
First of all, we have standby, portable and inverter generators.
Standby: These generators are permanently installed in your home. They automatically start if there is a power outage.
Portable: Otherwise known as backup generators, portable generators must be set-up manually before being used temporarily in the event of a power outage. Some models are light enough that they can be carried, however, certain portable generators can weigh more than 100 pounds.
Inverter generators: These generators are typically quieter than standard generators and they produce stable current that can support devices like laptops, phones, etc.
Another way you can differentiate between different types of generators is by looking at their power capacity. Here is a quick overview of the three main types:
| Select-Circuit Generator | Managed Whole-House Generator | Whole-House Generator |
| Cost-effective Covers basic home needs Up to 10 electrical loads | Smaller than whole-house generators More affordable Powers all electrical needs Up to 2 ACs | Best choice for extra-large homes Powers high-wattage devices Similar performance to commercial generators |
How Much Does A Home Generator Cost?
Home generator costs vary depending on different factors, including the size, fuel type and brand of the generator. You should also take into account the cost of professional generator installation.
When it comes to whole-house generators, properly installing them is a highly complex task that can only be performed by a specialized electrician. Here is an overview of average generator costs depending on their category and size:
| Type | Details | Price Range |
| Gasoline Generators | Usually portable | $500 – $3,200 |
| Liquid Propane Generators | Portable and whole-house options | Portable: $600 – $2,800; Whole-house: $2,200 – $21,000 |
| Natural Gas Generators | Whole-house only, connect to city gas line | $2,200 – $25,000 |
| Diesel Generators | Whole-house only | $3,200 – $24,000 |
| Solar Generators | Environmentally friendly, dependent on sunshine | $2,000 – $25,000 |
| Size | Coverage Area | Price Range |
| 2 to 5 kW | One appliance, a few lights | $300 – $1,500 |
| 7 to 10 kW | Several appliances, 10 lights | $2,300 – $3,500 |
| 13 to 16 kW | Up to 1,500 sq ft home | $3,500 – $4,800 |
| 17 to 20 kW | 1,500 – 3,000 sq ft home | $4,000 – $6,200 |
| 22 to 25 kW | 3,000 – 5,000 sq ft home | $4,500 – $12,500 |
| 30 to 48 kW | 5,000-plus sq ft home or commercial building | $10,000 – $25,000 |
Our Top Home Generator Picks
Best Overall – Generac Guardian 24kW Standby Generator
This Generac Guardian 24kW Standby Generator model is one of the most popular when it comes to standby home generators. Although it’s not their most powerful option, it can support an entire home in the event of a sudden blackout.
This higher-end model can be easily controlled using a smartphone, ensuring optimal convenience. However, the generator is designed to automatically start working within 15 seconds of the power outage.
Dimensions: 48 x 25 x 29 inches | Weight (lb): 455 | Running Wattage: 24,000 watts | Fuel: Propane or natural gas | Warranty: 5 years | Professional installation required: Yes
Best Budget – Generac 10kW Home Standby Generator
The Generac 10kW Home Standby Generator may be by far the best alternative if you are looking for an affordable home generator that still guarantees optimal value. It’s one of the smallest models from Generac.
It has a power output of 10,000 watts and it can operate either on propane or natural gas. Just like the model mentioned above, this generator will automatically start working within 15 seconds of sensing the loss of power.
Dimensions: 29 x 25 x 48 inches | Weight (lb): 338 | Running wattage: 10,000 watts | Fuel: Natural gas or propane | Warranty: 5 years | Professional installation required: Yes
Best Portable – WEN Dual Fuel Portable Generator
Portable generators are extremely helpful for managing sudden blackout situations with ease. They are easy to handle, affordable and very reliable when you need to cover the essential electrical needs of your home.
The WEN Dual Fuel Portable Generator is equipped with two wheels to make moving it much easier. Its propane tank allows it to run for up to 7 hours (or 22 hours at half load on gas). A convenient and user-friendly generator ideal for all households.
Dimensions: 23.2 x 17.5 x 18.5 inches | Weight: 105.8 pounds | Running wattage: 4,750 watts | Fuel: Gasoline/propane | Warranty: 2 years | Professional installation required: No
Best Standby – Kohler RCA 26kW Whole-House Generator
The Kohler RCA 26kW Whole-House Generator guarantees adequate coverage for the electricity of your whole home. It powers automatically within 10 seconds and it operates on either liquid propane or natural gas.
It’s durable, reliable and low maintenance. It works quite quietly and it is available in 11 different colors, so that you can easily adjust it with the design of your house.
Dimensions: 47 x 26 x 32.3 inches | Weight (lb): 625 | Running wattage: 26,000 watts | Fuel: Natural gas or liquid propane | Warranty: 5 years | Professional installation required: Yes
Best Battery – Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Portable Power Station
The Goal Zero Yeti 1500X Portable Power Station delivers exceptional performance. An easy-to-use and reliable home generator, this device can be charged in three ways: from the sun, from the wall or from your car.
It can easily power a wide range of appliances. It has 7 different port options and a mobile-app designed for remote control and monitoring. Ideal for homes and outdoor settings.
Dimensions: 15.3 x 10.2 x 10.4 inches | Weight: 45.6 pounds | Running wattage: 1,500 watts | Fuel: Not applicable | Warranty: 2 years | Professional installation required: No
If you are still undecided on which generator is best for your home, contact our professional electricians in New Jersey. Our specialists will conduct a thorough evaluation of your property, determining your electrical needs to provide tailored recommendations. Call us now at (973) 743-4040 for a free quote!