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Suffering a power outage is not only inconvenient, but it’s also becoming an increasingly common issue for residents of the Central California area. And aside from the fact that outages can disrupt your daily life, they can also represent a safety hazard when the temperatures soar into triple-digit territory.
Fortunately, there is something you can do to protect yourself and your family: Have the professionals at Alpha Omega Electric install a backup home generator. This way, your house will continue to have access to the electricity needed to run your lights, appliances, and electronic devices while waiting for the power to come back on.
Below, we’ll explain some of the key benefits home generators provide, identify five of the best models on the market, and outline some of the things you’ll want to consider when picking the best one for your home.
What Are the Benefits of Home Generators?
The basic value of a home generator is pretty obvious: It’ll provide you with electricity during a blackout. But this benefit actually manifests in a number of specific ways, including:
- A generator will keep your family safer. Far more than just an inconvenience, power outages will stop your lights and air conditioner from working, potentially leading to injuries or heat stroke.
- A generator will help prevent missed time at work. Whether you work at home or go into the office every day, losing power may make both of these things impossible or at least much more difficult.
- A generator will prevent your food from spoiling. It only takes a few hours for your refrigerator and freezer to reach room temperature once the power goes out, putting perishable items at risk.
- A generator will help you practice basic hygiene. Without access to warm water, it becomes nearly impossible to bathe or wash dishes properly.
- A generator will power any medical devices you may need. Power outages will prevent many respirators, CPAP machines, and other important medical devices from working as intended.
- A generator will help you stay in touch with the world. Your phone battery may last for a while following a power outage, but you’ll eventually need to charge it to stay in contact with others.
Clearly, these are all important reasons that illustrate the importance of being prepared for power outages, and there are surely countless others. But once you have a home generator installed by professionals, you’ll be able to keep on living your life like normal the next time a blackout occurs.
Picking a Home Generator: Things to Think About
Deciding that you want to have a home generator installed is one thing, but deciding which generator will work best for your specific situation is another matter entirely. We’ll try to help you pick the best backup generator for your home by outlining five of the most important things to consider.
1. What Devices and Systems Do You Want to Power?
At the outset, you’ll need to decide whether you want a generator that can power your entire home or just a few essential devices and systems. Standby generators can power everything from your HVAC system to your kitchen appliances, but portable generators are usually only able to power a few circuits at a time.
2. What Kind of Fuel Do You Want the Generator to Use?
Different kinds of generators run on different kinds of fuels. Some use gasoline, while others use propane or natural gas. Some can even be powered by solar-charged batteries. For maximum convenience, select a unit that will work with several different kinds of fuel, as this will provide more flexibility during extended outages.
3. Do You Want an Automatic or Manual Setup?
Standby generators switch on automatically when the power goes out — you don’t have to do much at all. Portable units, on the other hand, must be started manually and typically require you to run extension cords or flip a transfer switch. This can be especially difficult during power outages caused by inclement weather.
4. How Much Do You Care About Noise?
Portable fuel-powered generators can be very loud. In fact, some produce 70 decibels of noise or more. And remember that this noise won’t only bother you but your neighbors as well. Meanwhile, battery-powered units and standby generators are usually much quieter.
5. Are You Prepared to Pay for Professional Installation?
Standby generators require a professional installation, as well as a concrete or gravel pad, and they typically require a building permit too. Portable generators and solar units don’t require all of these things, so they are easier to get up and running. You can also move portable generators around, while standby generators must be left in place.
The Five Best Home Generators
There are certainly a number of high-quality home generators on the market, but the following five are likely the best models currently available to homeowners.
1. Generac Guardian 22 kW Home Standby Generator
The Generac Guardian 22 kW generator is a fully automatic model that’s designed to keep your entire home operational in the event of a power outage. It can run on either natural gas or propane, providing plenty of flexibility, and it is designed to switch on instantly when you lose electricity from the grid.
Pros:
- Provides enough power to run your entire home
- A very reliable unit that performs well over the long run
- Turns on instantly and automatically when you lose power
- Wi-Fi monitoring capabilities
Cons:
- It’s somewhat pricey
- It requires professional installation and can’t be moved
2. Generac 10 kW Home Standby Generator
If you’d like a smaller unit with a more affordable price tag, the Generac 10 kW generator may be a great option. It only provides enough power to run essential circuits, like your HVAC and kitchen appliances, but it turns on automatically like Generac’s 22 kW Guardian. It also offers Wi-Fi monitoring, like the larger (and more expensive) model.
Pros:
- Automatic, yet budget-friendly
- Includes advanced smart features (including Wi-Fi) like some pricier models
- Features a durable, weatherproof aluminum casing
Cons:
- Provides only limited power; won’t power your entire home
- Professional installation and permits required
3. DuroMax XP13,000 W Portable Generator
If you’d prefer to avoid the costs associated with permitting and professional installation, you may want to consider a portable generator, such as this dual‑fuel (gasoline/propane) model from DuroMax. This unit produces about the same amount of power as Generac’s 10 kW model does, but it does so with lower upfront costs.
Pros:
- High output (10.5 kW) for large loads
- Dual-fuel flexibility
- No permit or permanent installation needed
Cons:
- You have to manually turn it on when needed
- Louder than most standby models
4. Champion 6,500 W Tri‑Fuel Portable Generator
The ideal option for homeowners who want flexibility, this portable generator will run on gas, propane, or natural gas. It’s also easy to move, reliable, and provides a solid value for the price. Professional installation is not required for this unit, but it doesn’t supply enough power to run your entire home.
Pros:
- Tri‑fuel design provides fantastic flexibility
- It’s easier to move around than larger 10 kW models
- You can simply purchase it and use it; no installation required
Cons:
- It’s a low-power model, so it can’t power your entire home
- Doesn’t turn on automatically when you lose power
5. EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus Solar Generator
A quiet, clean portable option that uses LFP batteries rather than gasoline, natural gas, or propane, the EcoFlow DELTA 3 is a great choice for eco-conscious homeowners. It actually provides double value, as it serves as both a portable power station and an emergency UPS with solar compatibility.
Pros:
- Nearly silent operation that won’t irritate you or your neighbors
- It doesn’t require liquid fuel or produce emissions
- It’s both portable and scalable
Cons:
- It’s pretty low-powered and only capable of running a few key items at a time
- Must be recharged regularly
Top Home Generators to Install: FAQ
Still have questions about home generators? We’ve rounded up some of the most common questions we hear from our customers and answered them below.
What is the most reliable home generator brand?
Generac, DuroMax, and Champion are three of the leading generator brands, which have developed a reputation for being durable and reliable.
What size generator is needed to power an entire house?
The exact generator size necessary to power an entire house will vary, but it’ll generally be in the 15 kW to 30 kW range.
How much is a generator for a 2000 sq ft house?
Depending on the type of generator you select, it will generally cost between $5,000 and $20,000 for a generator capable of running all of the circuits in a 2,000-square-foot home.
How long does a generator last?
Portable generators usually have a lifespan of around 1,000 to 2,000 hours of operation, but periods of extended use (days at a time) may cause them to fail prematurely. Standby generators, on the other hand, are designed for more prolonged use, and they tend to last longer anyway. Most units will work for at least 1,500 hours and often twice as long.
Can you run a generator in the rain?
It depends on the specific model and type of generator you have. Some are safe for use in inclement weather, while others cannot be used without some kind of weatherproof cover.
Is it okay to leave a generator running all night?
It depends on the model you select. Many generators are not designed to be operated continuously in an unattended fashion. But caution is always warranted, even with generators that can safely be used all night.
Trust Alpha Omega Electric for Your Home Generator Installation Needs!
No matter which backup generator you think would work best for your situation, we’d encourage you to contact the professionals at Alpha Omega Electric before making your final choice. We have years of experience installing generators, and we’ve learned a lot about the kinds of things homeowners find helpful and the kinds of things that cause friction. We’ll be happy to schedule a service visit, assess your power needs, and identify the best generator for your home and family.
