Standby generators, also called whole-house or fixed generators, are permanently installed outside the house (like an AC unit) and comes on automatically when the power is out – whether you’re home or away. They connect to your home’s natural gas or liquid propane system so there are no extension cords and no refueling with gasoline, just backup power when you need it most.

However, standby generators can also be used for powering homes. Their power ranges from 8 kilowatts to over 100 kilowatts. Standby generators have an insulated cover and are most often weatherproof. Therefore, unlike portable generators, it can be used continuously outdoors even in rainy or sunny weather. Standby generators use diesel, propane, or public supplied natural gas.

These types of generators can be started automatically thanks to the transfer switch, making them ideal for use in organizations and homes requiring uninterruptible power supplies. For example, if there is a power outage in a hospital, it can start up immediately. Backups are therefore the most reliable type of backup. According to most reviews, Generac developed home standby generators are the most reliable and proven.

Pros

• Reliable
• auto start
• very powerful
• insulating cover
• Weatherability
• big tank

Cons

Permanently installed; not portable

Direct Comparison

When it comes to deciding whether you need a standby home generator or a portable generator, one of the first things you need to know is how these generators differ. A portable generator to home standby generator comparison is almost like comparing a moped to a motorcycle. The scooter will get you through town, but it’s not made for a road trip on the highway.

We’ll pitch both types of generators side by side to see how they compare using criteria like performance, fuel economy, price, and versatility and more.

Power output

Before making any concrete decisions, it is necessary to make a list of the most important devices and calculate the energy required for their operation. Some products have two values. One is the wattage required to boot the device and the other is the wattage required to operate. Allow some leeway when estimating this number, as most generators cannot run at full capacity for long periods of time. Knowing how much power you need to keep your device powered up can go a long way when deciding which generator to use.

Many consumer electronics require significant wattage to operate. About 2400 watts can be used to start and run a refrigerator, about 2600 watts for a washing machine, and 3000 watts for a dishwasher. It’s easy to see that a low-output generator will struggle to provide enough power to keep your entire house running.

The maximum output of portable generators is about 15,000 watts. You have to be very careful when deciding which lights and appliances to leave on, especially if you need power for more than a few days, as the output is pretty low. And while you can probably keep an appliance or two running, portable generators aren’t powerful enough to power AC appliances or a heater or furnace.

On the other hand, Standby or fixed home generators have a very high power output. Their power output range between 10 to 50 kilowatts. So With the right home generator, you can keep all the appliances in your home running perfectly. Or at least give yourself some leeway to use the washing machine from time to time. More importantly, you can power your AC unit or furnace from your home generator. These generators act as a backup to the main power supply, ensuring normal operation even with wired devices.

So, the winner in this area is clearly the Standby or fixed home generator.

Read more on the size of home generator to choose for your home based on power output

Fuel-efficiency

Portable generators are usually powered on gasoline. Gasoline is considered as the most widely used fuel for a portable generator. There are other models of portable generators which use diesel and propane. The ones that use propane run for hours on a small propane tank like a gas grill. The 6500 watt portable generator burns about 18 gallons of fuel per day when operated at half its rated load capacity use. That’s slightly less power than two standard 15 amp outlets in your home.

If you’re looking for a place to buy gasoline during a power outage, finding a petrol station with electricity at that particular moment can keep you hours in line. This means that if you have a generator that runs on gasoline, you must always have a sufficient quantity of fuel on hand. But it’s not always simple to do that. Large quantities of gasoline stored on your property are prohibited by many local fire departments because they pose a fire risk. Family Handyman claims that the maximum is typically 25 gallons.

Standby generators run on natural gas or propane. They connect directly to your existing natural gas supply or propane tank. With natural gas, you can run for days or weeks depending on your needs. Filling a propane tank is as easy as calling the LPG company.

Compared to gasoline, propane burns cleaner. According to research from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, not only is there no offensive odor, but it also emits less CO2 for the same amount of heat. Generators that run on propane or gas last longer and are less expensive to maintain than those that run on gasoline.

Standby generators are however more fuel-efficient.

Price

Portable generators can handle the power needs of just a handful of devices, while standby generators are powerful enough to power the devices and appliances that your family is already familiar with. So the rest of the block is in the dark. while your house continues to hum as if nothing happened.

Of course, this comfort doesn’t come cheap. The average cost of a portable generator ranges from $500 to $2,000 for a generator that can handle up to 7000 watts and power most lights and appliances in a single family home. There is a minimum set-up cost of $530 to $2,030 in total, including the fuel purchase that may cost about $30 for 48 hours of use.

A home standby generator for the model, which can power an entire home, costs about $2,000 to $6,000. You also have to consider that standby generators require installation, which may require calling in a licensed professional at extra cost.

What makes the price more palatable is the fact that standby generators typically last about 15 years. And when resold at home, these machines recoup about 50% of the cost. Although maintenance is necessary every two years, licensed professionals can help ensure a unit’s reliability. And for some families, especially those who have critical medical equipment around the house, the reliability of a backup generator is practically invaluable.

Portable generators win this one.

what's the difference between a standby generator and a backup generator?

A portable generator is an immediate but temporary solution powered by gasoline, while a home standby generator is an automatic, permanent backup power solution powered by natural gas or liquid propane.

If you’re like most Americans, then you’ve probably been spending more time at home in the past year than ever before. And a power outage can be quite disruptive—especially if you or your spouse is working from home. Now is a great time to consider investing in a standby generator so you can be prepared for that next power failure.