The Forbes Home editorial team is independent and objective. To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Home site. This compensation comes from two main sources. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles; these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Home. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Home does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof.

So, you’ve decided to buy a generator. Generators are a fantastic way to ensure power during blackouts and help to provide power to places where electrical service is not an option. If you’re doing a home renovation and are reconsidering a few things, a generator would be a great appliance to add. The question now is: what size and type of generator do you need? This article will help you figure it out. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Are You Prepared For Power Outages? Hire a top-rated generator installation service for your home to stay up and running even in the event of a power outage, blackouts or utility shortages. Explore Options

Are You Prepared For Power Outages?

Hire a top-rated generator installation service for your home to stay up and running even in the event of a power outage, blackouts or utility shortages.

The first thing you’ll want to consider when selecting a generator is wattage. Add up the wattage of everything you’ll want to power via your generator, be it during a power outage or in a place with limited or no electrical service. This might include lights, a refrigerator, a laptop charger, a smartphone charger, a coffee maker, a toaster oven, a washing machine, etc. This calculation will give you a rough idea of the size of generator you need.

Keep in mind that some appliances (like air conditioners and refrigerators) take up significantly more wattage when they’re on than when they’re off. You’ll want to account for those surges in wattage when making your calculations in order to get the most accurate estimate possible.

When it comes to generators, no matter the type, there are a few important specifications to understand. These are starting watts, running watts and surge watts.

When it comes to generators, no matter the type, there are a few important specifications to understand. These are starting watts, running watts and surge watts.

Offering up to 2,000 watts, costing between $400 and $1,000 and weighing in around 60 pounds, this is the lightest type of generator. It’s quiet, requires no installation and is designed to be easily transported. Recreational inverters are generally user-friendly, with many models even coming with smartphone apps.

Keep in mind that though recreational inverters can sometimes cost as much as portable generators, they offer significantly less power, with the ability to power a refrigerator, lights, small electronics and not much else. A recreational inverter is a reasonable choice if you are on the go, if your home rarely loses power or if you’re looking for something easy to store.

Offering up to 3,500 watts, costing between $1,000 and $1,700, and weighing in at 150 pounds or fewer, this generator is true to its name. Like a recreational inverter, it is lightweight and quiet, but it also has the ability to power significantly more. A mid-sized inverter can keep a refrigerator and lights running for eight to 18 hours on only two to three gallons of gas.

That said, a mid-sized inverter cannot power everything. Most models can only power 110-volt items with standard two- or three-prong plugs, so if you’re looking to power well pumps or heating and cooling equipment, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

A mid-sized inverter generator is a great option for those looking for a backup power solution in a home that rarely experiences blackouts. Its ability to power pivotal appliances for relatively long periods of time will keep your mind at ease and your household up-and-running.

Offering up to 7,500 watts and costing between $700 and $2,800, this generator is considered to have the best value. Do be aware that this generator’s name is slightly misleading, as most models weigh in at nearly 300 pounds.

Many models of portable generators offer enough energy to meet the demands of an average household and can even be connected to a breaker panel to run hardwired equipment like well pumps. It should be noted, though, that connecting a portable generator to your home’s circuit breaker often costs as much as the generator itself.

It should also be noted that portable generators should not be used in the snow or the rain without sufficient protection.

Portable generators are a good option for homes that experience occasional power outages; these are reliable and will provide sufficient power without costing thousands of dollars.

Offering up to 7,500 watts, costing between $1,400 and $4,000, and weighing between 250 and 350 pounds or more, large inverter generators produce enough energy to power essentials like a refrigerator and even a small air conditioning unit. These are also quiet and fuel-efficient, with steady power for more sensitive electronics.

Keep in mind that large inverters run on stabilized gasoline rather than natural gas or propane.

Large inverter generators are best for homes that experience frequent and/or prolonged power outages because of their reliability and ability to fuel essential appliances.

Offering up to 20,000 watts, costing between $2,000 and $6,000, and weighing anywhere between 350 and 600 pounds, home standby generators are installed permanently next to your house. They’ll turn on automatically during a power outage and provide a steady current of power to fuel all of your appliances. These generators can typically run on natural gas or propane.

Keep in mind that though this may be the most convenient type of generator for home use, it’s generally the most expensive type of generator. The installation of a home standby generator can also cost as much as the generator itself, making this option cost-prohibitive for some.

This is also not the option for you if you live in an area prone to flooding, as home standby generators can neither be installed in wet areas nor be moved during a flood.

However, if you live in an area that experiences frequent power outages or that does not receive electrical service, there is a good chance that a home standby generator is the most convenient option for your home.

Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Compare Quotes From Top-Rated Generator Installers Free, No-commitment Estimates Find a Generator Installer Your Home. Your Decisions. Our Support. Get expert advice on your home, design tips, how much to pay for pros and hiring experts, delivered to you daily.{{ newsletterState.emailErrorMsg }}Thanks & Welcome to the Forbes Home Improvement Community!{{ newsletterState.emailErrorMsg }}I agree to receive the Forbes Home newsletter via e-mail. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information and details on how to opt out.

Compare Quotes From Top-Rated Generator Installers

Rebecca Brill is a writer whose essays have appeared in The Paris Review Daily, VICE, Literary Hub, and elsewhere. She runs the Susan Sontag's Diary and the Sylvia Plath's Food Diary accounts on Twitter and is at work on her first book.

Lexie is an assistant editor who is responsible for writing and editing articles over a wide variety of home-related topics. She has almost four years’ experience in the home improvement space and harnessed her expertise while working for companies like HomeAdvisor and Angi (formerly Angie’s List).