7 Best Whole House Generator Reviews 2023

Table Of Content

• How Much Does Gas Line Installation Cost?
• What Is a Home Standby Generator?
• Gasoline
• Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt Automatic Air Cooled Standby Generator
• Best Mobile Monitoring: Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt Automatic Air Cooled Standby
• Whole-House Generator Cost by Type of Fuel
• FINANCE OPTIONS AVAILABLE*

Whole-house 15 to 20 kW standby generators consume 133 to 330 cubic feet of natural gas or 3.16 to 3.45 gallons of liquid propane per hour. These include a sump pump, air conditioner, home security system, electric dryer, electric water heater, well pump, jetted tub, sauna, grow lights and a second refrigerator or freezer. With intelligent power management features, automatic transferring and start-up and self-running weekly tests, home generators are designed to last a long time with only simple, regular maintenance. Their power output and general dependability make them a worthwhile investment, especially if you live in an area prone to power outages. A standard 5-kilowatt portable generator consumes 0.75 gallons per hour or 18 gallons per day, which costs about $40 per day.

How Much Does Gas Line Installation Cost?

Don't worry about having to be there to start and stop your Generac home backup generator. "The largest expense by far is the cost of purchasing and installing the generator," according to Don Whaley, founder and former president of Direct Energy. Installation costs will vary by the type of generator you purchase.

What Is a Home Standby Generator?

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. A whole house generator could increase your property value by 3% to 5%, which often equates to a 100% to 150% ROI compared to the initial investment cost. If you live in an area frequently with extreme weather conditions, that number might even go higher. Same as how it goes with most appliances, the sooner you can catch a problem, the more likely you can save on repair costs.

Gasoline

Most portable units run part of a house, such as refrigerators, space heaters, and lights. Portable generators are often not large enough to power your entire home. You may need to choose what parts of your home you wish to power, such as the refrigerator and lights. Standby models are usually sized to power your whole home at once, including HVAC, large appliances, and lights. The exact location is likely determined by your home’s circuit panel location. The generator must be wired to the circuit panel and the transfer switch installed below it.

Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt Automatic Air Cooled Standby Generator

In contrast to a standby or portable generator, a whole house generator will power many more appliances for as long as you can provide it with fuel. Solar generators are also modestly sized portable generators simply because the technology needed to convert and store large amounts of power would require too much space. This technology is still in development and will likely become more efficient and streamlined as technology advances. A solar generator for the home will cost between $2,000 and $25,000, with most costing at least $10,000. Homeowners are advised to keep in mind that while natural gas prices are often a bit lower than gasoline, a natural gas generator uses more gas than other types. If your home is an all electric home and includes electric appliances like an electric range, electric clothes dryer, electric water heater, etc.

Best Mobile Monitoring: Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt Automatic Air Cooled Standby

For instance, some generators are fueled by natural gas, while others are fueled by diesel or solar power. The price range for solar whole house generators is from $2,000 to $25,000. The price range for diesel-powered whole house generators is from $2,540 to $17,200.

Home Standby Generators

Plan to keep the tank nearly full (80% capacity is the maximum allowed) to have fuel necessary for a lengthy power outage. Most suppliers offer plans to regularly top off your tank, often with a price break since the propane is delivered as drivers make their rounds rather than making a trip out for one customer. If your home is equipped with natural gas, you might be able to have a plumber run a new gas line to the Generator and avoid propane. A transfer switch senses the loss of power from the grid and automatically starts the standby generator and disconnects your main power.

Most standby home generators come equipped with several safety features designed to protect them from overheating and failing when you need them most. Once you’ve figured out your power needs, the next two major considerations are the physical footprint of the generator and the amount of noise it makes. Whether you have a small yard or many acres of land, you’ll likely need the generator near your home, so the size and sound matter.

FINANCE OPTIONS AVAILABLE*

Powering a small home or RV with 3,000 to 4,000 watts is possible, but you will have to reduce your use of appliances and electronics. If you want your home to function like it normally does (without shutting off TVs, fans or Wi-Fi), a generator with a 20,000-watt output or higher is best. These engines turn rotors that convert mechanical energy into AC and DC electrical energy. The process is similar to a hand-cranked flashlight but on a much larger scale. The PowerSmart Series from Briggs & Stratton is a compact, portable generator line. If you’re looking for a small, affordable generator to take on camping trips, a PowerSmart generator could be a great choice.

This will help you effectively plan, budget, and successfully accomplish your home improvement goals. A whole home generator can keep the lights on when the power goes out. National Fire Protection Association codes allow smaller generators to be a minimum of 18 inches from an exterior wall, but you should check local codes as they may have more specific requirements. Professional installers should know the local codes and help you plan the optimal placement for your generator as well as pull any necessary permits. Models featuring quieter operation scored better than louder ones.

While solar whole house generators derive their power from the sun, they are dependent on a majority of sunny daylight hours. Generators in overcast areas may not be able to keep up, no matter how extensive the array of solar panels. A plumber is needed to connect your generator to your propane tanks or natural gas line. The average 2,500 square foot house in the U.S. consumes close to 6,900 watts.

Remote monitoring allows your generator manufacturer to keep an eye on its operating condition for you. Remote monitoring through the manufacturer or third party is available for a small monthly cost. Smaller home generators are allowed as close as a minimum of 18 inches from an exterior wall, though you should always check local codes as they may differ from the NFPA’s standards. Generac’s technology is designed to keep power consistent to protect more delicate electronics from dangerous distortion.

The PowerPact includes most of the same features as Generac’s larger models while requiring the smallest footprint of those we’ve ranked. The Briggs & Stratton 12,000 Watt Generator packs quite the punch for a narrow footprint unit and ships at a solid price. Though one of the smallest generators on our best-of list, this product delivers a solid 12,000 watts and comes in as one of the best ranked generators by customer reviews. It’s important for a homeowner to ask a potential contractor some questions before hiring them. As always, homeowners will want to ask about licensing and insurance (and the licensing and insurance of any subcontractors or workers who are expected to take part in the project).

People who rely on standby models often build or purchase a small storage shed just for this purpose to hold both the unit and the fuel right beside the house until it is needed. About the size of a central air conditioning unit, they run on natural gas or propane, so they don’t need to be refueled as often either. This company also makes smaller portable generators, starting at $700. They come in sizes up to 15kW, which is sufficient for most homes.

Best Solar Generators of 2024 - CNET

Best Solar Generators of 2024.

Posted: Fri, 22 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

You can also use online tools to get a better idea of what you’ll need. With a yes or no based on whether a generator included overload protection, each product gained or lost points totaling 5% of the total ranking. Heat control, similarly to high temperature shutdown, can help mitigate any damage done to a generator, which is why the team included it as a category to make up 5% of the total ranking. Those living in warmer regions or simply worried about a generator overheating may appreciate this category at 5% of the total ranking. Each generator was evaluated based on whether or not it offered the high temperature shutdown option. This coolant absorbs heat from the engine, then is cycled through to the radiator, where it cools off, then moves back to the engine to maintain an appropriate temperature.

Our research showed that customers recommended tis generator for being affordable and easy to assemble. Several customers also liked its long runtime and industry-leading efficiency. However, we did notice some unsatisfied customers had issues with operating the generator’s battery or communicating with the company’s customer service team. At Costimates®, our mission is to assist homeowners in finding and hiring licensed home service contractors in their local area. We aim to not only provide you with information about your home improvement project but also to offer estimated cost details.