The best all-around house generator under $1,000. Runs 9,375W peak / 7,500W continuous on gas and 6,750W on propane. Dual-fuel means you can keep a 100 lb propane tank as a backup fuel source. Includes 120V household outlets, one 30A RV outlet, and one L14-30R (240V) twist-lock for transfer switch connection. Electric start. CO-SENSE carbon monoxide shutoff included. Handles the fridge, sump pump, window AC, lights, and device charging with capacity to spare.

The portable generator that comes closest to standby capability. 13,000W peak / 10,500W running on gas. Features both 120V and 240V outlets — including an L14-30R and L14-50R — making it the only sub-$1,500 portable that can run central AC, an electric water heater, and a well pump simultaneously. Dual-fuel (gas or propane). CARB-compliant. Electric start. For homeowners who want to power the whole panel without a $10,000 standby installation, this is the choice.

The premium choice for homeowners who value quiet operation and pure sine wave power. 7,000W running covers the refrigerator, sump pump, window AC, medical devices, and all lighting with room to spare. 52–58 dB(A) — dramatically quieter than open-frame generators at the same wattage. Fuel-injected engine (no choke), electric start, and idle-control mode that drops noise and fuel consumption when running light loads. Built-in CO-MINDER shutoff. Pure sine wave output is safe for sensitive electronics and medical equipment.

Option 1: Generator Interlock Kit ($75–$200 + electrician)

A metal plate installed inside your existing breaker panel that mechanically prevents the main breaker and generator breaker from being on simultaneously. The cheapest code-compliant solution. You choose which breakers to turn on (and stay under your generator's capacity). Requires a licensed electrician to install the inlet box and interlock — typically $300–$500 in parts and labor. Best for homeowners with a clear priority list who don't mind manually managing breakers during an outage.

Option 2: Manual Transfer Switch ($200–$600 + electrician)

A dedicated sub-panel with 6–10 pre-selected circuits (fridge, sump pump, furnace fan, lights, outlets). You flip the transfer switch to "generator" mode, start the generator outside, then switch individual circuit breakers on. Cleaner than an interlock kit and harder to overload. Total installed cost $400–$900. Best for homeowners with a defined set of critical circuits who want a dedicated, purpose-built backup panel.

Option 3: Automatic Transfer Switch — Standby Only ($1,500–$3,000 included in standby install)

Included with every home standby generator installation. The ATS monitors utility power continuously and activates the generator within 10–30 seconds of an outage — without any human involvement. Powers your whole panel (or selected circuits) automatically. When utility power returns, the ATS transfers back and shuts down the generator after a cooldown period. Required for any standby generator installation. Not compatible with portable generators.

What size generator do I need for a house?

It depends on what you want to run. To power only critical loads — refrigerator, sump pump, lights, and phone charging — a 3,500–5,000W portable generator is enough for most houses. To add window AC or a small central AC zone, step up to 7,500W. For whole-house capability including central AC, electric water heater, and a well pump, you need a 10,000–14,000W portable or a 16–22 kW standby generator. Use our wattage calculator above to build your exact load list.

What is the difference between a portable and standby generator for a house?

A portable generator (800W–15,000W, $300–$2,000) runs on gasoline, propane, or dual fuel. You wheel it outside, start it manually, and connect via extension cords or a transfer switch. It powers critical loads during outages but requires you to be home to operate it. A standby generator ($3,000–$15,000+ installed) is a permanently mounted unit connected to your home's natural gas or propane line. It detects outages automatically and starts within 10–30 seconds — even when you're away. Standby is the right choice if you travel frequently, have medical equipment that cannot tolerate any interruption, or want whole-house power without any manual steps.

How much does a house generator cost?

Portable generators for home backup range from $300 (1,000–2,000W inverter) to $2,000 (12,000–15,000W dual-fuel). Add $200–$600 for a transfer switch or interlock kit if connecting to your panel. Standby (whole-house) generators cost $3,000–$6,000 for the unit and $2,000–$8,000 for professional installation including electrical panel work and gas line hookup — total installed cost of $5,000–$15,000 for most homes. The 2026 federal tax credit for home backup power does not currently apply to generators running on fossil fuels, but many state utility rebates exist for battery backup systems.

Can I run my central air conditioner with a house generator?

Yes — if your generator is large enough. A 2.5-ton central AC (typical for 1,500 sq ft) draws 3,500–5,000W running and surges to 10,000–15,000W on startup. Most portable generators under 7,500W cannot handle this surge. For central AC, you need a generator rated at least 10,000–14,000W with high surge capacity, or a whole-house standby unit (16 kW+). A simpler option: add a 5,000 BTU window AC unit (500W running, 1,200W surge) to a 5,000W portable generator instead of trying to run your central system.

Do I need a transfer switch for a house generator?

Yes, if you want to connect a generator to your home's wiring and panel. Connecting a generator directly to a wall outlet (back-feeding) is illegal, violates NEC code, and can electrocute utility workers. A manual transfer switch ($200–$400 + electrician) or interlock kit ($75–$200 + electrician) is required for any hard-wired connection. Standby generators include an automatic transfer switch (ATS) in their installation. For portable use with only extension cords (not wired to the panel), no transfer switch is needed — but this limits you to direct plug-in loads only.

How long can a house generator run continuously?

Portable generators are designed to run 8–18 hours per tank of gasoline (depending on load and tank size). A Honda EU7000iS runs about 18 hours at 25% load on a 5.1-gallon tank; a Champion 7500W runs about 8 hours at 50% load on 6.1 gallons. For extended outages, dual-fuel models can switch to a 100 lb propane tank (~4.7 gallons LPE) for 8–12 hours, making refueling less frequent. Natural gas standby generators can run indefinitely as long as gas utility service is maintained — most standby units are rated for continuous operation with oil changes every 100–200 hours.