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Some examples of devices we used with large starting and running loads include a large air conditioner and a portable table saw. We evaluated these generators based on ease of starting, power response, sound levels, value, safety, and reliability to select the top performers. However, at 100 plus pounds, 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.
The 12 Best Home Generators to Keep Your House or Appliances Running
Mark Wolfe is a writer and product tester, focused on mechanical durability and user convenience. As a green industry veteran and an avid DIYer, he has gained valuable insight on choosing dependable power equipment and avoiding poor-quality machinery. Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists. Most manufacturers recommend that the whole-house generator be installed at least 5 feet from doors, windows, vents, and any flammable material.
What Is a Home Standby Generator?
With a few clicks of the mouse, our easy-to-use generator sizing calculator will recommend a range of generators that fit your needs. The Bob Vila test team is made up of contractors, remodelers, home design enthusiasts, and freelancers from across the nation. Each member is dedicated to delivering high-quality product information to our readers so they can shop with confidence, knowing the products they purchase have been fully tested and vetted. The exact lifespan depends on the specific product, but in general, the overall lifespan of a whole-house generator is about 1,500 to 3,000 hours. Operating a generator isn’t complicated, but there are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind to ensure effective and safe operation and avoid any harm to yourself or your generator when the power goes out.
Size and Noise
During our sound test, when we stood right next to the EU2200i, we got the same decibel reading as when we were 10 feet away from the Ryobi RYi2322VNM. Not only is the Honda quiet, but it also has that even, almost pleasant, rumble that’s found only on high-quality engines. Automatic StartWhen the power goes off, the generator goes on—without you lifting a finger. This is great if you travel a lot or work far from home, and can’t always get there quickly in an emergency.
Consumer feedback is a crucial indicator of how a generator performs and the level of customer service provided by the company. Each company was evaluated based on reviews over several public platforms and scored accordingly. A smaller-output version of the previous generator, the Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect 10kW Standby Generator does exactly what the 12kW version does, just with less output and a more affordable price tag. The Briggs & Stratton 10kW generator is 50% smaller than competitors in the same class, meaning easier installation and the possibility of a more discrete placement around your home. Briggs & Stratton is next on our list with the PowerProtect 12kW Standby Generator and the smaller 10kW version. Briggs & Stratton’s big selling point is that the generators are 30% smaller than the overall footprint of all competitors due to a taller vertical design that takes up less space on the ground.
Generac 7043 Home Standby Generator
Their size and modest power output make them ideal for camping, tailgating, and doing light construction work. Most inverter types are quieter than typical gas generators, but they still run on gas, so you have to expect to keep fuel on hand, perform regular maintenance, and, most important, operate them outside. For most usage with appliances or tools indoors, you need to run an extension cord—likely through an open window—to get out there. They can back up essential appliances for less than $1000.Simple OperationIn an emergency, a portable generator for house use is easy to operate.
Installation costs vary by system size, installation considerations, and local building codes. Today, our generators are preferred by 8 out of every 10 homeowners who invest in home backup power. A generator should not be plugged into a house outlet because it is both dangerous and illegal in many locations. This is called backfeeding and it can severely damage the home’s electrical system or even cause a fire. Additionally, any technicians who are working on electrical lines on the same power grid are at increased risk of electrocution.
A transfer switch connects a generator to a home’s main electrical panel and allows you to switch, or “transfer,” between grid power and generator power. The running watts rating dictates the number of electrical appliances you can run simultaneously and for how long. Because a generator’s starting watts can be 1,000 to 2,000 watts greater than its running watts, it’s important to understand the difference when determining your home’s power requirements.
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A portable generator you have to wheel out of the garage, run extension cables to and then pull a cord to start it up. Are you in search of a reliable generator to power up your refrigerator, window AC, computer, phone charger, and other appliances? Unlike other generators on this list, you can operate this one on three different types of fuel.
This Champion 7,500-watt dual-fuel generator delivers enough electricity to power up an off-grid jobsite or keep critical home circuits running through a utility outage. It includes numerous convenience features, like a push-button electric starter, covered outlets, and a fold-out transport handle. It has a 6.6-gallon gasoline tank that will keep it running for 12 hours at 25 percent load and up to 8 hours at 50 percent load.
A digital hour meter is included on the front panel to help track maintenance—as it approaches 100 hours and starts to blink, it’s time to change the oil. Lastly, the GP6500 meets emission standards in every state, including California. The DuroMax XP12000EH has a hardy 9,500-watt running capacity, with an extra 2,500-watts of starting capacity. These big numbers mean you’ll be able to run most—if not all— critical circuits in a modest-size home during a power outage. Portable 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.
We set up two space heaters that combined for roughly 1,930 running watts and ran them together on all four generators. We continued to let it run for over an hour at this level, and we saw no indications that it wouldn’t continue to hold the excessive, 1,930-watt load. They all weigh about 50 pounds, and they have a running watts of about 1,800 and a starting watts of around 2,200. They’re equipped with a 1-gallon gas tank and the same number of outlets, and they’re very similar in design overall. Firsthand testing is essential in order to suss out real differences, so we ran a number of both structured and unstructured tests to get a better sense of each generator’s capabilities.
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