Portable vs Standby Generators: What’s right for your home

Portable vs Standby Generators: What’s right for your home?

Portable vs standby generator can be the topic of a prolonged debate in which some users will ask you to go for a portable one while others will suggest you a standby one. Hence, it can be really an overwhelming task to choose the most appropriate one for your home.

Both portable and standby generators are ideal for homes during a utility outage. And needless to say, both have their pros and cons.

Then, which are the things that you need to consider while looking for a suitable one for your home? We outline the differences between portable and standby generators so you can find the best solution for your home!

What is a Portable Generator?

A portable generator is a temporary electric source to power small home appliances during a utility outage. As the name suggests, a portable generator doesn’t require a permanent installation in a specific location. But, you need to safely place it at least 20 feet away from your home.

A portable generator might look like hefty machinery at first but its functionality is quite simple.

Most portable generators use gasoline to run while some models also run on diesel, natural gas, or liquid propane.

Portable generators are noisier in general and they have less capacity when it comes to the power.

What is a Standby Generator?

A standby generator, just like a portable generator, is a temporary electric source for home appliances when there’s a power cut. The main purpose of a standby generator is just the same.

But, you need to install this device permanently at a safe location.

Standby generators are quiet owing to the insulated weatherproof housing design. Moreover, they have a larger power capacity and some models can power your entire house.

These generators usually run on propane or natural gas, which makes them run for an extended period.

Portable vs Standby Generators: Things to Consider Before Buying a Home Generator

Now that you know what portable and standby generators are all about, it’s time to learn the aspects that you need to check to decide the most appropriate generator for your home.

1. Generator Power Output

The first thing that you need to consider while buying a generator is its power output or load capacity. If you by chance invest in a generator with the wrong power output, there can be issues like low power supply, capacity overload, unit problems, and appliance damage.

A generator with the right power output will be the most convenient for meeting your electricity needs.

As mentioned above, standby generators are capable of providing more power than portable ones. These can provide 8,000-20,000 watts of power, which are ideal for most of your home appliances, if not all.

However, if you need a generator that’ll power all your home appliances at a time, you can look for whole home generators.

Portable generators can usually provide 3,000-8,500 watts. Hence, they won’t be able to provide power to your entire house. They are ideal for appliances like refrigerators, home heaters, lights, air conditioners, etc. But, you may not run all these appliances at a time with your portable generator.

2. Generator Fuel Sources

The fuel sources of standby generators are propane and natural gas. The amount of fuel they require is 13-48 gallons depending on the size and your needs.

If you have a full tank of propane, they can run for several days. The same goes for the natural gas models.

Portable generators mainly use gasoline but some exceptional models also run on diesel and other fuels. They require 12-20 gallons of fuel, be it gasoline or diesel per day. It means these generators need more fuel than the standby generators.

3. Convenience

Standby generators are really convenient as they run automatically within a second of an outage. They are built with a transfer switch, which connects them to your appliances.

Also, a professional will easily install the machine, which won’t need any weather coverage during calamities.

Portable generators require you to manually operate the device if there’s no in-built transfer switch. In such cases, you need to power them each time you face an outage. But, they come with built-in outlets that you can use to directly connect to your appliances via extension cords.

4. Generator Safety

When it comes to the safety of your house, both portable and standby generators serve the same purpose. But, you need to be quite particular about the dos and don’ts of usage. You need to place them at least 20 feet far from your premises.

When your generator is running, you shouldn’t refuel the tank. You also need to keep your generator safe from flammable objects. These are some fundamental rules that you need to follow.

5. Generator Noise Levels

Noise can be a real issue when you’ll need to use your portable or standby generator regularly. As mentioned above, portable generators are noisier than the standby models. So, if you want a complete noiseless backup power solution, you can go for a standby generator.

6. Generator Reliability

Both standby and portable generators are reliable options for providing backup power. They need to be tested at least once a month if you want to enhance their longevity. You can also test your generator 2-4 times a month depending on its working condition and age.

The reliability of a generator also depends on its manufacturing brand and built quality. Go for a brand and model with good reviews from trusted users. Also, you can look for the ones with a warranty to make sure your device runs well for years.

7. Generator Price

After considering all the above aspects, you need to set your budget. As a general rule, it’s better not to go for the cheapest models of both generators if you’re expecting a great output.

The price of standby generators ranges from $2,000 to $5,000. Portable generators are much cheaper as they’re priced from $400 to $1,500.

Tasks During the Installation

As mentioned above, the installation process of standby and portable generators isn’t the same. To install a standby generator, you need the help of a professional. But, installing a portable generator is possible on your own.

You need to follow the user manual or installation instructions provided by the manufacturing brand. That’s because the method might slightly vary from brand to brand. During the purchase, you can also ask the retailers to brief you about the installation.

Both devices can be connected to multiple home appliances based on their power output. While installing a standby generator, the electrician will choose which appliances to be connected to. While installing a portable generator, you need to manually turn the Power on through the transfer switch.

A standby generator won’t require any refueling as the fuel tank will be directly connected to it. But, once you’ve installed a portable generator, you need to refuel it every time the fuel tank is empty.

Also, it’s better to know the requirements of the National Electric Code during the installation of your portable generator.

Generator Maintenance Tips 

Portable Generator Maintenance Tips

Here are some useful maintenance tips that’ll help you to enhance the longevity of your portable generator.

• Monitor the starting and running capacity of your portable generator before use.
• Always keep your portable generator clean to protect it from dust and corrosion.
• When not in use, you need to keep the portable generator covered in a safe place.
• It’s better to empty the tank of your portable generator when not in use for a long time.
• Keeping fuel backup can save you from fuel shortage after a storm or rainfall.
• You need to get your portable generator checked at least once a month.

Standby Generator Maintenance Tips

While using your standby generator, you can follow the maintenance tips below for better performance.

• You need to keep your standby generator and the surroundings clean.
• If you want to inspect the oil level, wait for 10-15 minutes after shutting down.
• You need to check for leaks and damages in the fuel tank occasionally.
• Also, checking for loose clamps occasionally is very much essential.
• You need to get your standby generator checked at least once a month.

Final Thoughts

Portable generators require a little effort but they are affordable. In contrast, standby generators are user-friendly but expensive. Plus, portable generators aren’t sufficient to power all your appliances at a time.

Based on the above analysis, you can go for a standby generator if you’re looking for a backup power solution for your entire home.

But, if you’re on a tight budget and your requirements are minimal, a portable generator will surely cater to your needs.