Emergency electrician in Southeast Wisconsin

How to Choose the Right Backup Generator for Your Home

In an age marked by power outages and uncertainties, ensuring uninterrupted power is crucial. When purchasing a generator, there are numerous factors to consider. We'll go over some of the most important factors to consider below to help you make your decision. Make an informed decision to fortify your home against outages, enhancing safety and peace of mind.

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Power Needs

In order for your home to receive adequate power in the event of an outage, you must have a backup generator with a high enough power output to feed your home’s appliances and devices. While you could add up the power total of your appliances and devices and add a 25% safety buffer, it’s best to trust an electrician skilled in the installation of home generators. Your electrician will consider all factors in the final calculations of your home’s power needs and recommend a generator that not only meets the power needs of your home but is most efficient at doing so.

Fuel Source

Home generators can come in up to 5 different fuel sources. See our comparison of the pros and cons of each of the different generator types by fuel source.

Generator Type	Fuel Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Natural gas generators	Natural gas	Efficient, lower emissions; fuel availability from natural gas pipelines; low operating costs	Higher upfront costs; dependence on natural gas supply; may not be practical in remote areas
Propane generators	Propane	Lower emissions; long shelf life of propane; safer to store and transport than gasoline	Higher fuel costs than natural gas; dependence on propane supply; may not be practical in remote areas
Gas generators	Gasoline	Widely available fuel source; lower upfront costs; lightweight and portable	Higher fuel costs than propane or natural gas; shorter engine life; less fuel efficient than other options
Diesel generators	Diesel	Reliable; efficient; lower emissions than gasoline; can withstand heavy use and high loads	Higher upfront costs than gas or propane generators; require more maintenance; louder than other generators

Desired Features

You may have a few features in mind for your home generator. Before you choose a specific model, consider common features of home generators.

Automatic CO shutoff: a feature that automatically turns off the generator if a dangerous level of CO is detected.
Automatic low-oil shutoff: an automatic shut-off feature if the generator’s engine oil level drops below a certain level.
Sound-attenuated enclosure: an enclosed shell the generator resides in designed to reduce the level of noise.

Budget

Budget is an important consideration when purchasing a home generator. Depending on the size, type, and features, home generators can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. In addition to the initial purchase price, ongoing costs like fuel and maintenance must be considered.

While it may be tempting to choose a less expensive generator, make sure it can meet your power requirements and provide reliable backup power during an outage. When making your decision, consider your long-term costs as well as the potential cost savings from avoiding power outages.

Schedule Generator Delivery and Installation

Once you've decided on the right generator for your situation, contact us to begin the process! Before delivery, secure proper permits and schedule contractors for a smooth installation process. Whether picking up the generator locally or opting for delivery, plan transportation logistics and receive a delivery estimate. Adequate preparation, including arranging extra help or equipment, is essential for a hassle-free installation.

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Choosing a Generator