August 9, 2023

When the power goes out during a major storm or emergency, one of the first things that comes to mind is whether or not you need a home generator. Blackouts can happen during severe weather events like hurricanes, ice storms, and blizzards. They can also occur due to equipment failure or accidents on the electrical grid. Having backup power can provide essential electricity to keep your home running.

So how do you know if purchasing a generator is right for your home? Here are some key factors to consider when weighing the costs and benefits of whole house backup power.

How Frequent and Long are Power Outages in Your Area?

If you live in an area prone to storms, high winds, and regular power failures, then a home generator makes more sense than if outages are rare. Check with your utility company for historical data on outage length and frequency in your region. If the grid infrastructure is aging and blackouts are common, having emergency power is wise.

In rural areas where crews take longer to restore electricity, a generator keeps things running until the grid is repaired. For urban homes, calculate costs of food spoilage and other expenses from outages against generator costs. Where grid failures are more frequent and prolonged, backup power pays for itself quicker in avoided costs.

What Do You Want to Power?

Determine what systems and appliances you want to run during an outage. Items like lights, refrigerator, sump pump, and charging electronics have minimal power needs. Running the HVAC, electric stove and oven, washer and dryer, or well pump uses much more wattage.

For basic necessities only, a smaller portable generator may suffice. To maintain full modern convenience, a standby whole house generator is preferable. Know your home’s estimated wattage needs before investing in backup power rated for that size.

Fuel Type: Portable vs Standby

The two main generator types use either gasoline/diesel or natural gas/propane as fuel. Portable gas generators are versatile for temporary use or home backup. However, they require venting exhaust outside and need frequent refueling. Gasoline can expire after several months.

An automatic standby generator is permanently installed outside, then fueled by your home’s natural gas or propane supply. These turn on automatically when an outage is detected, providing seamless emergency power. Though pricier upfront, standby models require less maintenance over the long run.

Is Backup Power Needed for Life Safety?

Those who rely on powered medical devices or refrigerated medications have urgent need for a home generator. For households with elderly, disabled, or medically fragile residents, backup electricity may be vital. If anyone in your family depends on powered equipment for health and safety, not having grid power puts them at serious risk.

Even those without medical devices may prioritize running air conditioning, heating, or refrigeration more when elderly relatives or young children are present. Assess your vulnerability to illness, discomfort, or danger during prolonged power failures.

Can You Afford the Upfront Cost?

Adding emergency power capacity requires careful budgeting for most families. Portable generators start around $500 for smaller units, but unleaded gasoline engines at 5,000+ watts cost several thousand dollars. Automatic whole house standby generators range from $3,000 to over $10,000 installed.

Get quotes from reputable brands on the type and size of generator you need. Compare that to your financial ability and projected long term fuel and maintenance costs. Also factor in potential outage costs without a generator. Consider financing options if the expense exceeds savings.

Is a Transfer Switch Required?

For any generator supplying household power, you must have a transfer switch professionally installed. This safely disconnects from the grid when the generator runs to avoid backfeeding electricity and injuring line workers. Manual transfer switches require an operator to enable them when needed. Automatic switches detect outages and shift over to generator power by themselves.

Factor transfer switch installation of $1,000 or more into the overall generator cost. Improper generator use without this switch is hazardous. Make sure any home backup system includes the proper switching equipment.

How Much Load Can Your Electrical Panel Handle?

Before selecting a generator size, assess your electrical panel’s amperage rating and circuit capacity. Overloading your home’s circuits by drawing excessive wattage can blow breakers or cause fires. A 200 amp main breaker panel may only safely supply 40-50 amps on a 240v circuit to run high-draw appliances.

Consult an electrician to determine your panel’s capacity and what sized generator it can accommodate. Upgrade your wiring and breakers if needed to match your planned generator wattage. This prevents damage from overloading the system.

Do Local Codes Restrict Generator Use?

Many municipalities prohibit running gasoline generators continuously under noise, emissions, and safety ordinances. Local codes may also ban portable generators from multi-family or high density housing, where improper use risks sickening or killing neighbors with carbon monoxide poisoning.

Before buying a generator, especially for a residential setting, check applicable city, county, and state regulations. Your area may restrict certain types and sizes. This is another advantage of natural gas standby units, which produce minimal noise and emissions.

How Will You Maintain It?

All generators require periodic maintenance like testing, fuel stabilizer, battery charging, sensor checks, and inspection of parts that can wear over time. Neglecting maintenance can cause failure to start when an outage occurs. For portables, you’ll need to monitor and change fuel and oil. Standby models may require annual servicing by a qualified technician.

Factor estimated maintenance costs and your DIY mechanical abilities when deciding on backup power. Are you willing and able to properly service a generator yourself? If not, line up a service agreement. Weigh the time commitment and costs against the likelihood of real usage.

Key Takeaways

Having uninterrupted power during grid failures provides valuable protection. Before investing in a home backup generator system, weigh the costs against your specific risk factors like outage frequency, appliance needs, health vulnerabilities, and affordability. Determine the appropriate fuel type, capacity, circuits required, and ongoing maintenance you can handle. Consider local regulations and sound comparison shopping. Calculate the total expenditures against the potential benefits emergency power provides for your situation. With prudent planning, a home generator lets you ride out storms and emergencies with electric conveniences intact.

Back to blog >