![]() ![]() ![]() Transfer Switch – A transfer switch is a built-in switch system that allows you to run one cord from your home to your generator to allow for backup power instantly. You will also have extension cords running through your house, which could pose a health risk. One downfall of doing this is that you will have to spend time hooking up all of your appliances in the dark or possibly in bad weather. Simply bring out the generator, plug up your appliances with high-quality extension cords, and you are good to go. A portable solution allows you to keep the generator stored away until you need to use it. Both have their advantages, so let’s take a closer look at each method to see which is going to be the best for you.Įxtension Cords – For those who want to use their generator to power their home only in emergencies, plugging up appliances with extension cords may be the best route to take. Hooking up a generator to your home can be broken down into two different routes, with extension cords to each appliance when needed, or through a transfer switch. Here is a popular 16kW whole house generator from Generac (Generac is the most popular home backup generator manufacturer): How do I connect a whole home generator? A popular 16,000 or 16kW whole house generator from Generac will put you back about $4,200 (plus installation, which will cost several thousand dollars at a minimum). Most residential homes will need a 10-20kW generator. Whole house or home backup generators start at ~$3,000 for a 10kW model and go up to around $30,000 for a 150kW model. How much does a whole house generator cost? Depending on what you want to do with your generator throughout the year will determine how you will need to hook it up to your home. There are multiple ways to use a portable generator to power your home, and the best part is, you can use it any time you would like to power other items. These generators come in various sizes to power up small electronics such as cell phones up to larger generators that can power your whole house. While you can use them at any time, they usually activate when the power goes out due to a storm. 2 to 3 TON is the most common residential size).Ī whole house generator is a portable or permanently placed generator that supplies power to your home. Select your central AC size (1 TON to 5 TON. One of the largest variables in sizing a whole house generator is if you must power a central AC unit. This sizing tool is specific to powering a whole home, see my “what size generator?” calculator for more general watt estimations. This simple calculator will quickly show you what size in Kw or Watts of a generator you might need to power your house. If you want a portable generator that can power a whole house, you’re looking for at least a 10,000 watt generator or a likely more in the 15,000 watt portable generator range. I will explain what size of generator you need to power one or the entirety of your home appliances. To help you understand what size generator you need, we have created this whole house generator sizing calculator and guide. Generators can help power up all types of electronics, appliances, and tools to ensure you are keeping your family safe and comfortable until power returns. Here, we offer guidance on how to choose the generator that’s right for your situation, along with details on each category of generator we test and a CR recommendation and product review in each category.One of the biggest reasons that most people buy a whole house or home standby generator is to have a backup power source in the event of a power outage or blackout. “If you’re willing to pay more up front for a quieter and more fuel-efficient unit, potentially saving down the road if you use it often, then look at inverters,” Kollontai says. Inverter generators are more expensive than traditional generators delivering the same wattage but have distinct advantages. Some of the larger portable generators in our ratings can burn through about 20 gallons of gasoline per day.ĭepending on the size generator you need, you may have a choice between a traditional portable generator and an inverter generator, which electronically throttles the engine up and down to supply power more efficiently. “There’s no need to go larger unless you want to be able to power more in a pinch and are comfortable with needing to keep more gas on hand,” Kollontai says. But if you’re considering a portable generator, don’t spend more on one that produces more power than you need for those appliances, he adds. To determine the size generator you need, consider the appliances you need to power and add up their wattage, says Misha Kollontai, the Consumer Reports engineer who handles generator testing. ![]()
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