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Planning Ahead
What Type of Generator Do I Need?
That's a great question. Having a generator at home gives you peace of mind that no storm-prep shopping spree can. But choosing between whole-home and portable generators can be confusing, so I'll do a compare-and-contrast for you.
Feature
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| Whole-Home Standby Generator
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| Portable Generator + Interlock Kit
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Startup
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| Fully automatic — turns on within seconds of power loss, so your freezer stays frozen, even if you’re away
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| Manual — must be set up and started by hand as needed
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Power Capacity
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| High – can power most or all of the home
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| Moderate – powers selected circuits only
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Fuel Type
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| Natural gas or propane
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| Gasoline or propane (generator-dependent)
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Installation
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| Permanently installed outdoors
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| Portable generator with permanently installed inlet & interlock
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Electrical Connection
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| Automatic transfer switch
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| Manual interlock kit at electrical panel
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Ease of Use
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| Extremely convenient, hands-free operation
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| Requires homeowner involvement
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Ideal For
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| Long outages, medical needs, full-home protection
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| Short-to-moderate outages, budget-conscious homeowners
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Medical Equipment Support
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| Excellent
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| Good (depends on load management)
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Food & Freezer Protection
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| Excellent
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| Good
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Security System Power
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| Excellent
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| Good
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Maintenance
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| Annual professional servicing recommended
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| Owner-maintained generator
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Noise Level
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| Quieter, enclosed design
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| Louder, open-frame design
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Relative Expense
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| Higher upfront investment; lower operational costs
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| Lower upfront cost; higher operational costs
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Code Compliance
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| Fully code-compliant when professionally installed
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| Fully code-compliant when professionally installed
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Storm Readiness
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| Always ready
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| Requires advance preparation
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Property Value Impact
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| Can increase home value
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| No significant value impact
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Choosing between whole-home and portable generators can be confusing, and we're happy to assist you in deciding what makes sense for your home and family. Call, text, or email for help!
