Backup Power Generators

If a major outage were to occur at your home, you would want to have one of the best backup power generators for the whole home on standby. Backup power can protect your family from expensive electrical damages in natural calamities, such as storms or fires. Backup power sources make sense because they effectively save valuable time and money by eliminating the need to rely on electricity that may not be available in times of emergency.

Today’s backup generators are powerful enough to produce enough energy for most homes or businesses. Many backup power generators available in the market serve different purposes. The best backup power generator for a whole home will be the one that has all the features, value, and affordability. Choosing the right product won’t be easy if you are looking to invest in a backup power generator. To get this done, here is a list of the top 11 best backup power generators for the home based on customer reviews.

What is a Backup Power Generator, and how does it work?

As their name implies, backup generators provide energy to appliances during a power outage. The backup generator, on the other hand, is not installed permanently, and it is only supposed to provide power in time of a power failure, as opposed to a standby generator, which is permanently installed and automatically detects a power outage and supplies power to the home when power fails.

Backup generators cannot detect power outages as automatically as standby generators. An outage requires you to start the generator engine manually, so you must be on-site. A generator can power any appliance by using extension cords once it has been turned on.

5 Best Backup Power Generators for Whole Home

Generac Guardian WIFI Enabled 10k -Watt (LP) / 9000-Watt (NG) Standby Generator

The Generac Guardian Series WIFI Enabled 10k-Watt (LP) / 9000-Watt (NG) Standby Generator is the perfect solution for protecting your home and family during a power outage.

The Guardian series generators by Generac are a standout among the leading brands in home generators, yet again sets them apart from their competition. You can monitor its status using your smartphone or computer using the company’s MobileLink technology, which provides 10,000 watts of power via propane or natural gas.

In high temperatures, the generator shuts down, and an automatic transfer switch automatically takes your home when grid power is lost. A Generac Guardian is easy to install, so the installer can easily attach it to your existing gas or LP pipes during installation.

Benefits

• Durable All-Aluminum Enclosures: RhinoCoatTM powder coating provides corrosion resistance to aluminum, making it perfect for all climates.
• Smart, User-Friendly Controls. With Generac’s EvolutionTM Controller, you can keep track of maintenance intervals and monitor battery status.
• Quiet-Test simulates a five- or twelve-minute self-test at a reduced RPM, allowing generators to run significantly quieter than other brands and consume less fuel.
• 5-Year Limited Warranty: Electronics and appliances run smooth and clean with less than 5 percent total harmonic distortion when you use True Power Technology.

Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt Automatic Air-Cooled Standby Generator.

The Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt generator automatically starts when the power goes out, so you have continuous power to run your home or business. This standby generator has an automatic air-cooled system that keeps it running cool, even in the hottest weather, so you can count on it to perform when you need it most.

This Briggs & Stratton 12,000 Watt Generator is quite powerful for a unit of such a small footprint and ships for an excellent price. It is important to know that your high-voltage appliances will not be damaged by surges or under-powering due to the automatic voltage regulator, efficient alternator, and smartphone app that you can control via Wi-Fi. A low-speed mode can also be used for the generator to reduce noise, save fuel, and improve control.

Benefits

• 5-Year Limited Warranty: 5-Year limited best-in-class warranty covering parts, and travel for the lifespan of the product
• minimizing the impact of a power outage: Your backup power goes further with Amplify Power Management, minimizing the impact of a power outage
• Reduces total harmonic distortion: High-efficiency alternators and an automatic voltage regulator result in tighter voltage regulation, which improves start-up power and reduces total harmonic distortion by less than 5%
• Durable: The aluminum enclosure is corrosion resistant and durable, and its advanced powder coat paint prevents chips and abrasions for years to come.

Champion 14-kW aXis Home Standby Generator with 200-Amp Whole House Switch.

An ATS200 Whole House Automatic Transfer Switch combined with the Champion Power Equipment 14-kW Home Standby Generator provides a simple solution to a power outage. Keep your family safe and comfortable during an emergency while maintaining peace of mind.

Even though the Champion 14-kW aXis generator is expensive, it has several features that set it apart from its competitors. Featuring a best-in-class 14,000 watts, the Champion aXis generator is the quietest of our top five generators, with its noise measured at 62 dbA. It goes unmatched on this list for the power it produces for your home.

With the Champion aXis, when your home loses power, it will automatically turn on, evenly distribute the electric load, and function in extreme temperatures. This generator does not come with a remote monitoring system but offers more than double the warranty of every other generator on this list.

Benefits

• Reliable: No cold weather kit is required with this 24-volt starter system that operates in sub-zero or extreme temperatures (between -22°F and 104°F).
• Quietest-in-Class: A special low-tone muffler and advanced sound dampening allow this generator to operate at 62 dBA noise levels suitable for residential use
• Powerful: It produces 14,000 watts at propane and 12,500 watts at natural gas and does not require refueling, manual operation, or extension cords.
• 10-year warranty: A 10-year warranty is included in the purchase price, the longest warranty on a home standby generator. FREE lifetime technical support is also included

Generac PowerPact 7,500 Watt Standby Generator.

Generac PowerPact 7,500 Watt Standby Generator is an excellent choice if you have a small house or need fewer watts of power. In terms of features, it is similar to Generac’s larger models but has the smallest footprint of those we compared.

The Generac PowerPact 7,500 Watt Standby Generator is a reliable backup power source for your home or business. Capable of providing LP or NG power, this generator features an automatic transfer switch (ATS) that will automatically detect and switch to the backup generator in the event of a power outage. With 7,500 watts of power available, the PowerPact 7,500 can provide essential backup power for appliances, lights,

In terms of sound, this PowerPact is one of the loudest choices at 69 dbA, with a three-year limited warranty. You can power up to eight circuits of your home with the PowerPact’s lightweight automatic transfer switch for indoor use.

Benefits

• NFPA standards: The unit will be certified by a third party to adhere to NFPA standards and installed within 18 inches of an exterior wall of the home if it is away from doors, windows, and fresh air intakes.
• Five percent THD: It provides the cleanest, smoothest power possible for your sensitive electronics and appliances thanks to True Power Technology with less than 5 percent total harmonic distortion.
• Weather resistance: Stylish, galvanized steel enclosure is powder-coated for durability and weather-resistance

Generac Guardian 3-Phase 20kW Automatic Standby Generator Wi-Fi Enabled

As one of the largest and most powerful 3-phase generators today, the Generac Guardian 3-Phase air-cools and produces up to 20kW. Whether you need dependable 3-phase power backup for your home or small business, this Generac Guardian is the answer. As with all Generac generators, it is easy to install and maintain, comes with Wi-Fi control and monitoring, and is durable and weatherproof.

Considering the power output level, this unit’s noise level is impressively low at 67 dbA. A transfer switch is sold separately and is the only item missing from this package.

• Mobile Link Remote Monitoring: Generac’s Mobile Link allows you to monitor your generator status anywhere in the world with your smartphone or tablet.
• 5-Year Warranty: The warranty period for automatic standby generators is five years
• less routine maintenance: The Generac G-Force Engine offers dependable power and requires less routine maintenance than any competitive engine because it is pressure-lubricated to handle the rigors of generator use.

What is the difference between a whole house generator, a microgrid, and an off-grid system?

A house generator can power your entire home during an outage, whereas a microgrid powers individual circuits in your home or business. An off-grid system powers your house with solar panels but does not have access to utility lines or grid electricity from the local utility company.

The Takeaway

In conclusion, the best backup power generators for whole homes are typically ones that can provide enough power for the entire house. Standby generators are a good option, but they can be expensive. Portable generators are less expensive, but they may not be able to power the entire house. Choose the right generator for your needs to be prepared for power outages.