When choosing between a portable or a whole-home standby generator, it can be difficult to determine which is right for your home. Regardless of brand, there are a few questions you can ask yourself about generators that will quickly determine if one is a better option than the other:
- How large is your home?
- What can’t you live without during an outage?
- How easy does it need to be to use?
- What is your budget?
Providing honest answers to these questions is the first step in choosing a generator that will be a great investment in your peace of mind, as well as contributing to your overall satisfaction with your purchase.
Which is right for you?
To help provide an overview of why you might choose one over the other, we’ve created the following video. Be sure to read on for a more detailed comparison and expectations you should have for the installation process! If you have any questions along the way, our team is here to help.
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Portable Generators – Who Are They Good For?
When we typically talk about generators, most of us think about the portable, self-contained units that can be purchased from hardware stores. They have built-in fuel tanks and can be easily moved from location to location, depending on where they need to be used. Additionally, portable generators can be stored away in a shed or garage when not in use. The most basic way to use a portable generator is by using the provided outlets to run extension cords directly to devices and tools. This has the downside of not being able to plug into larger appliances like your fridge – and you definitely can’t power your heating system, which would be important during a winter outage.
The Best Way to Use a Portable Generator
The best way to power your home with a portable generator is through either a manual transfer switch or interlock kit. These devices allow you to provide power to specific breakers in your home’s electric panel, or power to your entire panel so you can pick and choose which areas of your home receive power at any given time.
Here’s the difference between the two:
Manual Transfer Switch
- Acts like a sub-panel to your main electrical panel.
- The easiest option during an outage since breakers are “set-and-forget”.
- Uses a single switch to alternate power from main to generator.
- Limited to the number of breakers that can fit inside the switch.
Interlock Kit
- A mechanical device that prevents main power and generator power from being used at the same time (backfeeding).
- Offers greater flexibility through selecting the exact breakers you want to use at any given time.
- For smaller homes, a large portable generator with an interlock kit can power the entire home.*
- Cheaper total cost and less installation time than a manual transfer switch.
- Requires more steps to use during an outage.
*Most portable generators are unable to provide enough power for AC systems.
Getting Started with Portable Generators
In both cases, a portable generator connected to your home using these methods is the safest and best way to power the most important devices and systems during an outage. If you own a smaller home, live in an area that experiences infrequent outages, or just aren’t ready to make the larger investment into a whole-home standby system, a professionally installed Generac portable generator from Heritage makes a great option.
An in-home consultation is required to plan for the work needed to install the generator connection, as well as the manual transfer switch or interlock kit. Typically, a portable generator installation can be completed in a single day, but will require that parts are ordered ahead of time as they are specific to your home’s needs.
A Note About Portable Generator Safety
Portable generators have some additional safety concerns compared to standby generators due to the fact that they have no fixed location. It’s crucial that you follow all town codes and manufacturer safety instructions when operating a portable generator. Common concerns are CO poisoning and fire hazards due improper use, which can lead to severe injury or death. Follow these tips for staying safe while providing portable generator power to your home!
Benefits of a Standby Generator
We’ve already talked about who a portable generator is great for, but what about whole-home standby generators? To help find and answer, consider your response to the following questions:
- You need your entire home powered during an outage.
- You want all major comfort systems, including AC to work during an outage.
- You don’t want to plug in and start your generator each time there is an outage.
- You have safety concerns around using a portable power source.
- You want a complete peace of mind package when it comes to backup power.
If you were able to answer “yes” to at least one of these questions, there’s a good chance a portable generator may be the right solution for your needs. Some other pros include:
- Larger fuel tanks for multi-day outages.
- Automatic turn-on and shut-off.
- Can run safely in all weather conditions.
When you choose Heritage, we use only top of the line products with a track record of quality that we can stand behind. That’s why we’re the region’s certified Generac dealer and servicer. With a Generac whole-home standby generator, you can rest assured that you’ll receive a system that will last for decades with the proper maintenance.
What to Expect During Installation
One of the potential downsides to choosing a standby generator over a portable is the amount of work involved to complete the installation. As a result, the overall investment in a standby generator is much larger when compared to a portable generator. However, for those homeowners who can’t afford to be without power, it is worth it in the long run.
Just like portable generators, a whole-home standby generator requires an in-home consultation with a licensed electrician to go over your specific needs and arrange the details of your installation. So don’t wait until an emergency happens! Be prepared for anything storm season can throw at your home, and get started towards having complete peace of mind today!