7 Best Whole House Generators (Guide)

Portable or Standby Whole House Generator

Portable or standby whole house generator – which one should you get?

Generators that operate automatically are called standby generators. An outage will be resolved within seconds.

Standby generators are powered by inborn gas or propane. Portable generators can be moved from one spot to another.

For a short time, they usually power an area.

What are Home Standby Generators?

During a power outage, home standby generators provide emergency power. Generators connected to natural gas or propane are usually permanently installed outside homes. 

Generators provide power to homes when utilities fail.

During an outage, standby generators provide power to your home.

They are typically permanently installed and connected to your natural gas or propane line, so they automatically start up when the power goes out. 

What Are Portable Generators?

Powered by a gas-powered engine, portable generators generate electricity by turning an onboard alternator.

These devices are helpful in a variety of situations, such as when power outages occur or when working in remote areas where there is no access to the power grid.

Portable generators come in various sizes and can be used for various purposes, such as powering tools and equipment, providing lighting, or charging batteries.

Benefits of Standby Generators

When you need power, you can rely on a standby generator. Standby generators offer the following benefits: 

• As much power as you need can be provided by a standby generator. This means you can keep your lights on, your fridge running, and your home heated or cooled, even during a power outage. 
• A standby power generator can run as long as you need power. This means you won’t have to worry about your power going out in the middle of the night or during a storm. 
• A standby generator provides power automatically. This means you don’t have to worry about manually starting the generator or ensuring it has enough fuel.

Drawbacks of Standby Generators

There are several potential drawbacks to owning a standby generator, especially for those that are large enough to power an entire home. 

• Firstly, standby generators can be quite costly, both in terms of the initial purchase price as well as the ongoing costs of maintenance and fuel. 
• Additionally, standby generators can be loud, which can be a nuisance for the generator owner and their neighbors. 
• Additionally, standby generators emit harmful emissions that cause environmental damage.

Benefits of Portable Generators

Portable generators offer many benefits, chief among them being the provision of emergency power. 

• An outage can cause a power outage, which may be caused by a generator. 
• Additionally, portable generators can be used to power tools, making them ideal for construction projects or other work where access to reliable power is limited. 
• Camping or tailgating can also be done with portable generators. Power outages can cause damage to your home or business if you have a portable generator.

Drawbacks of Portable Generators

Purchasing a portable generator requires consideration of several drawbacks. 

• First, they require regular maintenance to keep them in good working order. This can be a significant expense, particularly if you need someone to do the work. 
• Second, portable generators can be pretty noisy, which can be a significant nuisance to your neighbors. 
• Finally, portable generators can be dangerous if not used properly, so it is essential to be sure that you understand how to use yours safely before operating them.

Which is better, a standby generator or a portable generator?

A standby generator is more robust and reliable than a portable generator. Your home’s electrical system is connected to a standby generator.

In the event of a power outage, it automatically turns on and runs on either natural gas or propane.

A portable generator is less expensive than a standby generator, but it’s not as powerful and needs to be manually started.

Can a portable generator be used as a standby generator?

Yes, a portable generator can be used as a standby generator. Your home’s circuit-breaker panel can be used to power almost as much as a standby generator.

This is because the portable generator can tap into the home’s existing wiring and deliver power to the circuit-breaker panel, which then powers the home.

The only difference is that the portable generator is not permanently installed, so it can be moved around as needed.

How long can you run a portable generator at one time?

A portable generator can usually run for about 6-18 hours before needing to be refueled.

The specific time a portable generator can run will depend on its size and the load it is being asked to power.

In that case, it will be able to run for a more extended period than if it was being used to power a more significant number of devices.

When it comes to a standby generator, you need to ensure that it will fit in the available space.

You also have to have a professional install it, which can be expensive. A portable generator is less expensive and can be easily moved if you need to.

However, you need to ensure that it is adequately ventilated and that you have enough fuel to run it when needed.

What Do You Need To Know Before Buying a Whole House Generator

It can be difficult to manage without power for an extended period of time.

Whole house generators are a great way to ensure that you and your family are never left in the dark. 

These generators can be used for various purposes, from providing backup power during an outage to powering your entire home during a natural disaster.

In addition to being a great way to keep your family safe and comfortable, whole house generators can also be a significant financial investment.

What Do You Need To Know Before Buying a Whole House Generator?

A whole-house generator should take into consideration several factors.

Automatic Shutoff:

Buying a whole-house generator requires consideration of a few factors.

The automatic shutoff is a crucial factor. Automatic shutoff refers to the generator shutting itself off when it senses the power has been restored.

This is an important safety feature to have, as it prevents the generator from continuing to run when it is not needed.

Without this feature, the generator could overheat and cause damage to your home.

Type of Enclosure:

The enclosure is the generator’s housing, and it must be tough enough to protect it from the elements.

There are three types of enclosures for standby generators-open, semi-open, and enclosed.

The type of enclosure you choose will be based on how much sound reduction you need, how much weather protection you need, and how much security you need. 

• Open standby generators are the least expensive and have minor sound reduction. Their weather resistance and security are also the lowest. 
• Semi-open standby generators are more expensive than open standby generators but have more sound reduction. They are also more weather resistant but are not as secure as enclosed standby generators. 
• Enclosed standby generators are the most expensive but have the best sound reduction, weather protection, and security.

Generator Capacity:

The generator’s capacity must be determined. Depending on the size of your house and the number of electronic devices you have, you will need a different system.

A rule of thumb is to choose a generator that can provide at least double the power of what you need to run your household.

Generator Fuel Source:

It would be best to decide which fuel source you would like to use.

Natural gas, propane, and gasoline are the most commonly used fuel sources.

For example, natural gas is the most affordable option but requires a connection to a natural gas line.

Propane is a bit more expensive than natural gas but is not as dependent on weather conditions.

Gasoline is the most expensive option, but it is the most convenient option since you can fill up your generator with gas when it runs out.

Warranty and Delivery:

Before purchasing a whole house generator, it would be best to keep a few things in mind. 

• First, make sure to check the warranty. Most whole house generators will have a warranty of at least 3 years. 
• Second, keep in mind the delivery time. Most generators will be delivered within 2 weeks, but some may take up to 4 weeks. 
• Check the return policy last. If you are dissatisfied with a generator, you can return it within 30 days.

And So, Finally,

A whole-house generator should be purchased based on a few factors. 

• Firstly, you need to consider the installation cost and the generator itself. 
• Second, ensure that your home’s electrical system is compatible with the generator. 
• Finally, you’ll need to factor in the ongoing cost of maintenance and operation. 

Your family and home will benefit from considering all these factors.

Summary: Best Generator for Whole House

Final Verdict

In my opinion, buying a best whole house generator is one of the best investments.

And we suggest buying a good quality generator so you can rely on it for several years. You can contact any of the best whole-house generator companies if you have any inconvenience during usage.

So that is why we have the best whole house generator in our review.

Also, these generators have durable and safe quality. And these generators are electric starting with MX2 technology.

Best of all, portable generators will run for a long time continuously.

But these generators are costly than the smaller generators, so keep in mind that you need more budget for buying them.

You can find all the best whole house generators for sale here.

To make your choice much easier, check out the top 3 recommendations as:

1. Briggs and Stratton 40336 as it’s a perfect choice for you in an affordable budget.
2. Westinghouse WGen12000 if you need a long-term replacement and best pick with no cons.
3. Generac 7043 is runners up pick if you need a reliable best whole house generator.