Portable vs. Standby Generators: Which Is Right for Your Home?
We receive several dozen calls a day asking about generators. Should I buy a portable or stand by? We offer both, we can install both and in some cases, we just install the outlet for your portable. Right now, there is a 4 month back log for standby generators from most, if not all suppliers.
Portable generators are easily available TODAY and are easier on the budget, but they are not created equal. Here is a break down of the differences (the good and bad) so you can deicide what works best for you.
Right of the bat, it must be mentioned that any devices below 4 kW could struggle to power a household and will, ultimately, limit you to the use of only several crucial appliances. Simply put, they are not designed for this purpose – they are, and more suitable for camping, tailgating, powering electric tools, etc.
Rather than for hooking them up to your home circuit, portable generators are designed to facilitate direct contact with the appliance via a power cord.
However, for many, they may be an acceptable solution for mobile homes, small houses and in cases of absolute emergencies, or extreme backlogs, in a regular household.
More often, need is determined by the likelihood of a power outage. If you live in an area with frequent (more than three times a year) or lengthy (more than several hours, hello TEXAS) blackouts, then a standby generator becomes more of a necessity than a simple convenience.
Home standby generators are expensive, but they’re the gold standard in backup power, and they outperform all other types of generators in our ratings, the problem is, there is a long waiting list these days.
We want to help you understand the cost difference, delivery times and power of each one so you can make an informed decision.
Portable generators and home standby generators perform the same basic tasks. But the two types couldn’t be farther apart when it comes to cost and convenience. One can power your entire home, the other, just the essentials. One can cost unto 15,000 and the other, just 1,000.00
The choice therefore lies between the standby generators and the larger, “technically portable” generators. Here are a few aspects to consider:
Portable Generators
Power output: 3,000 to 8,500 watts
Price range: $400 to $1,500
Fuel needs: 12 to 20 gallons of gasoline per day
Pros: Portable generators are cheaper to buy and install than home standby models. When connected to your home’s circuit-breaker panel with a transfer switch, they can power almost as much as a home standby generator. They have built-in outlets for directly connecting suitable extension cords if you haven’t installed a transfer switch.
Cons: You’ll need to wheel your generator out of storage, connect it to your transfer switch, and fire it up each time you experience an outage. Portable models also require you to store large quantities of gasoline, mixed with fuel stabilizer, to get through a prolonged outage. They tend to be noisier and have lower output than home standby models.
Portable generators are cheaper to buy, easier to acquire and install than home standby models. When connected to your home's circuit-breaker panel with a transfer switch, they can power almost as much as a home standby generator.
Manufacturers also make portable generators that can run on liquid propane, natural gas, or diesel fuel, but Consumer Reports doesn't test these models because they represent a small percentage of the market. (It's worth noting that in the aftermath of a storm, it may be more difficult to find portable cylinders of liquid propane, natural gas, or diesel fuel.)
All portable models tend to be noisier and produce less power than standby models, and they need to be wheeled out of storage, connected to your home’s circuit-breaker panel, and manually fired up in the event of an outage. If you use one during inclement weather, such as a rainstorm—likely during a power outage—you’ll need to protect your generator from the elements with a model-specific cover or a freestanding canopy.
Home Standby Generators
Power output: 8,000 to 20,000 watts
Price range: $2,000 to $5,000
Fuel needs: 13 to 48 gallons of liquid propane or natural gas per day
Pros: Home standby generators are largely worry-free. They’re typically sized to power an entire house in the event of an outage, and they come on automatically. They can run for days or weeks without refueling, they tend to be very quiet, and you don’t need to fuss with weather covers.
Cons: Home standby generators are pricier to buy, and installation costs can range from a few thousand dollars to $10,000 or more.
Home standby generators, also called stationary generators, are permanently installed by a pro and have insulated weatherproof housing that keeps them relatively quiet.
The big advantages are that they kick on automatically when the lights go out and they can power everything in your home at once.
Plus they run on natural gas or propane, which means they can operate for days or weeks on a full whole-house propane tank, or indefinitely in the case of natural-gas versions.
For homeowners wanting the ultimate entry-level whole-house standby, a 22kW is a perfect choice to reap all of the benefits of a whole-house generator over a regular homestandby. A generator in the 27-36kW range is perfect for most homes since they replace 75% of the 200 amps coming into your electrical panel.
arc electric and lighting can help you with either option you choose. schedule your consultation at arcelectricandlighting.com or call us at 281-909-4299.
