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First, if you're going for a whole home stationary generator with an automatic transfer switch you're starting at around $12,000 installed. About $6,000 for the unit & $6,000 for the install cost (assuming it is a simple install that doesn't require a long gas line run or electrical upgrades, then the install will probably cost more).
If you go with a portable generator instead, you'll probably want something approaching 10kw for whole home. & even that most likely won't be enough to run your AC/condenser in the summer without buying a soft start kit ($400 if you can install it yourself, more if you can't). You could also buy smaller room AC units as an alternative in an emergency & forego using central AC.
For me, the portable inverter generator with 9kW capacity was $2000. The install cost to upgrade the circuit into my house, update my electrical panel, add a 50A outdoor receptacle & an interlock kit was around $4000. So $6000 all in, but yeah you don't get automatic transfer & have to maintain & manually connect the generator when needed, keep treated gasoline on hand, perform oil changes, etc.
Also watch the warranties on the portables. Champion does 3 year warranty, some like Harbor Freight do 90 days, others do 1 year. I bought mine from AMZN with 1 year, added 3 years for low cost. I'm guessing it would be a PITA if I ever try to use the extended warranty, but I'll act like it's covered until they disappoint me.
Generatorbible is a great place to compare generators & learn in general.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/31464463...BM7J
First, if you're going for a whole home stationary generator with an automatic transfer switch you're starting at around $12,000 installed. About $6,000 for the unit & $6,000 for the install cost (assuming it is a simple install that doesn't require a long gas line run or electrical upgrades, then the install will probably cost more).
If you go with a portable generator instead, you'll probably want something approaching 10kw for whole home. & even that most likely won't be enough to run your AC/condenser in the summer without buying a soft start kit ($400 if you can install it yourself, more if you can't). You could also buy smaller room AC units as an alternative in an emergency & forego using central AC.
For me, the portable inverter generator with 9kW capacity was $2000. The install cost to upgrade the circuit into my house, update my electrical panel, add a 50A outdoor receptacle & an interlock kit was around $4000. So $6000 all in, but yeah you don't get automatic transfer & have to maintain & manually connect the generator when needed, keep treated gasoline on hand, perform oil changes, etc.
Also watch the warranties on the portables. Champion does 3 year warranty, some like Harbor Freight do 90 days, others do 1 year. I bought mine from AMZN with 1 year, added 3 years for low cost. I'm guessing it would be a PITA if I ever try to use the extended warranty, but I'll act like it's covered until they disappoint me.
Generatorbible is a great place to compare generators & learn in general.
I checked into all of the different features & it made the most sense for me
It's an inverter, max 9kW, 50A plug, is quiet. Eco mode to save fuel & decent runtime. 1 year factory warranty & 3 year extended warranty through Amazon.
I would've preferred to go with Champion with 3 year factory warranty, but it think it lost out in a couple other categories.
Picking one was a frustrating effort, as it felt like no one model had every single thing I wanted. Traditional generators offer higher output, but they produce dirty power, are louder & less fuel efficient. Inverters produce lower output, but provide clean power, are quieter & are more fuel efficient (& are much more expensive).
They are offering even higher capacity inverter generators now to where you can go to 10kW & beyond (which may make them an ideal choice if the prices don't go even higher).
Generator Bible is a good site if you need to compare two or more models. They have a compare tool specifically for that purpose.
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