As a homeowner, buying a generator could spare you financial losses, like food spoilage, when power outages strike. Also, if you work from home, a standby generator is a solid investment, as it ensures you won’t suffer a loss of income due to circumstances outside your control.

Assuming you’ve hooked up a 50% load, you can expect Generac’s portable generators to give you about 10 hours of continuous and stable power supply on a full tank.

With a transfer switch (about $500 to $900 to install, including labor), you’ll have one connection to make—plugging one end of a cable into the portable generator and the other into a dedicated box connected to the transfer switch.

When it comes to enclosures, Kohler has more options than Generac does. You can choose between plastic, aluminum, and steel enclosures. However, the plastic option is immune to corrosion. So, if you live in a place with plenty of salt in the air, this will likely be the better choice for you.

Installing a generator “legally” can increase the resale value of your home. A 2014 report by Remodeling Magazine indicated that installing a standby generator can provide up to a 150% return on your investment. Meaning, if you spent $12,000 on installing a generator, your home value may increase up to $18,000.

These 5 Best Standby Generators Can Help You Weather Any Storm

• For Residential Areas. Champion Power Equipment 100294.
• Best Value. Generac PowerPact 7.5-kW Standby Generator.
• For Large Homes. Briggs & Stratton 20-kW Standby Generator.
• For Small Homes. Kohler 8-kW Standby Generator.
• Monitor From Your Phone.

Between the models compared, Generac produces the quietest 8kW and 12kW generators. Among the 20kW generators we compared, Briggs & Stratton produces the quietest generator. To compare other generators, look up the “spec sheet” on the manufacturer’s website for any given model.

Energy generators Under the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit, homeowners can receive a tax credit for alternative energy equipment installed in your home. (Yes, that’s a tax credit, which is directly subtracted from the amount you owe, as opposed to a deduction, which simply lowers your taxable income.)

In addition to local or federal ordinances, there are standard regulations homeowners should follow. For example, most manufacturers will state that your generator should always be located outside and placed at least five feet from doors, windows, and vents, and flammable material.

Standby Generator Decibel Levels Most standard generator enclosures are adequate weather enclosures, but they may not contain adequate soundproofing. As a result, standby generators will typically emit noise in the 65 to 80 dB range, which may exceed most community noise ordinances.

Tips on Making Your Generator Quieter

1. Build A Soundproof Box. While building a generator box, remember to measure the generator, add insulation, and cut ventilation holes into the container for ventilation ducts.
2. Buy A Muffler. A muffler is used to muffle the sound of a generator.
3. Install Sound Deflectors.
4. Use Rubber Feet.

The Generac iQ2000 produces an estimated sound level of 62dB while the Westinghouse WH1000i comes in at about 59dB – quiet enough to stand next to and hold a conversation without trying to talk over the generator.