Best Whole House Generators 2024

Brace yourself for winter’s chill without fear of power outages. In our quest for warmth and safety, we’ve identified the best whole house generators to shield your home from the season’s unpredictability. Whether it’s a blizzard’s wrath or a routine power failure, these robust generators ensure your comfort and security, making winter outages a worry of the past. Join us as we unveil the top picks that promise to keep your home powered through winter and beyond.

List of Whole Home Generators 2024:

• Generac Guardian Wi-Fi Enabled Standby Generator
• Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt Automatic Air Cooled Standby Generator
• Generac PowerPact 7,500 Watt Standby Generator
• Champion 14-kW aXis Home Standby Generator with 200-Amp Whole House Switch
• Generac Guardian 3-Phase 20kW Automatic Standby Generator Wi-Fi Enabled

What Is a Whole House Generator?

A whole house generator stands as a steadfast guardian of your home’s power continuity. Unlike its standby or portable counterparts, this robust system is designed to shoulder the entire electrical load of your home, seamlessly activating to keep every room powered during an outage. Directly wired into your electric panel, it detects power interruptions in real-time and springs into action without manual intervention. As long as it’s adequately fueled, a whole house generator ensures that from your essential lights and heating systems to your most demanding appliances, every facet of your home operates uninterrupted, regardless of external power fluctuations.

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1. Generac Guardian WIFI Enabled 10000-Watt Dual Fuel Home Standby Generator

The Generac Guardian WIFI Enabled 10000-Watt Dual Fuel Home Standby Generator stands as a testament to Generac’s commitment to quality and innovation, securing its position as the #1 selling home standby generator brand. Engineered and built in the U.S.A., this generator is not just a purchase but an investment in reliability and peace of mind. With its capacity to provide whole-house backup power, it seamlessly connects to your existing LP or natural gas fuel supply, ensuring an automatic, rapid response to power outages. The G-Force Engine, specifically designed for the rigors of generator use, promises reliable power with minimal maintenance, setting it apart from its competitors.

Generac Guardian WIFI Enabled 10000 Pros and Cons

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

The Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt Automatic Air Cooled Standby Generator emerges as a robust and reliable solution for maintaining power during outages. Offering the capability to start a 5-ton air conditioner on 50% load, this compact generator doesn’t compromise on power. Its standout feature, Amplify Power Management, allows for smart prioritization of household power needs, ensuring that your most essential appliances stay running during an outage. This, coupled with the innovative InfoHub Wifi Wireless Monitoring, offers unparalleled control and peace of mind, allowing users to monitor and manage their generator remotely. The Vanguard V-Twin vertical engine at its core promises durability and performance that’s hard to match.

Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt Pros and Cons

3. Generac Powerpact 7500- Watt Home Standby Generator

The Generac PowerPact 7500-Watt Home Standby Generator emerges as an affordable, yet reliable solution for residential backup power needs. Boasting a suite of features that ensure convenience and performance, this generator is designed to power the essentials of your home seamlessly during power outages. The included 50-amp, NEMA 1 lightweight transfer switch automates the transition from utility to backup power, safeguarding your home’s critical appliances without the need for manual setup. Generac’s commitment to quality is evident in the purpose-built OHV engine and the advanced True Power Technology, ensuring clean, stable, and reliable power delivery.

Generac Powerpact 7500 Pros and Cons

4. Champion Power Equipment 14000-Watt 14kW Home Standby Generator System

The Champion Power Equipment 14000-Watt 14kW Home Standby Generator System is a powerhouse, ensuring your home remains operational even during extensive power outages. This generator is not just about delivering power; it’s about delivering smart power. The aXis ATS200 Whole House Automatic Transfer Switch offers managed power for your entire home, including the ability to handle unlimited high-demand loads with 4 priority levels. The generator’s quiet operation is another significant advantage. Thanks to advanced sound dampening and a specially designed low-tone muffler, it operates at a comfortable 62 dBA noise level, making it one of the quietest in its class.

Champion Power Equipment 14000 Pros and Cons

5. Generac Guardian 20,000-Watt Whole House Generator

The Generac Guardian 20,000-Watt Whole House Generator solidifies its status as a comprehensive solution for extensive residential power needs. Designed to engage within seconds of a power outage, this generator connects to your existing LP or natural gas fuel supply, ensuring your home’s power is uninterrupted. The 200 Amp, NEMA 3R (aluminum outdoor enclosure) smart switch offers up to whole house protection, making it a reliable safeguard for your family and your home. Generac’s True Power Technology promises clean and smooth operation of sensitive electronics and appliances, delivering best-in-class power quality with less than 5% total harmonic distortion.

Generac Guardian 20,000-Watt Pros and Cons

Comparison Table of the Best Home Generators

Feature/Generator	Generac Guardian 10000W	Briggs & Stratton 12KW	Champion Power Equipment 14KW	Generac Powerpact 7500W	Generac Guardian 20KW
Wattage Output	10,000 Watts	12,000 Watts	14,000 Watts	7,500 Watts	20,000 Watts
Cooling System	Air-cooled	Air-cooled	Air-cooled	Air-cooled	Air-cooled
Fuel Type	Dual Fuel	Dual Fuel	Dual Fuel	Dual Fuel	Dual Fuel
Operational Volume (dB)	Above 60 dB	64 dB	62 dB	69dB	66 dB
Weight	338 lbs	361 lbs	482 lbs	380 lbs	492 lbs

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How to Determine Which Whole House Generator Is Best for You

Selecting the perfect house generator involves a meticulous assessment of your specific needs and preferences. Here’s a guide to help you navigate through the crucial factors to consider, ensuring that you make an informed decision tailored to your unique situation.

1. Power Requirements: Understanding your power needs is fundamental. Use an online wattage calculator, check appliance wattage, or analyze your electrical bill to estimate your power consumption. Remember, it’s prudent to add a 50% margin to your total wattage calculation for safety and unexpected needs. Typically, small to medium-sized U.S. homes require a generator with at least 8,500 to 10,000 watt output.
2. Cooling Mechanisms: Choose between air-cooled and liquid-cooled generators based on efficiency and longevity, especially in warmer climates. Air-cooled generators are simpler but may not endure prolonged use as efficiently as liquid-cooled generators, which are better suited for high-temperature environments due to their sophisticated cooling mechanism.
3. Fuel Types: Decide whether liquid propane or natural gas best suits your needs. Propane is cost-effective and cleaner, while natural gas offers convenience, especially if you’re not off-grid. Ensure your generator matches your fuel choice or can switch between fuel types.
4. Budget: Your budget dictates your generator options. While ensuring uninterrupted power, align your choice with your financial capacity. Balance the cost with your essential power needs, and remember that larger, house capacity generators will be a more significant investment.
5. Transfer Switch: The transfer switch is a vital component, linking your generator to your home’s electrical system. Ensure you choose a transfer switch that matches your generator’s capacity for efficient power distribution. Decide between the convenience of an automatic transfer switch and the cost-effectiveness of a manual one.
6. Noise Level: Consider the operational noise levels, which can vary significantly. Placement and sound-proofing measures might be necessary, especially in residential areas where noise can be a concern.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can select a house generator that not only meets your power requirements but also fits within your budget, operates efficiently in your climate, and integrates seamlessly into your home environment.

Overall Conclusion

Choosing the right whole home generator involves careful consideration of your specific needs, preferences, and circumstances. From the Generac Guardian 10000W’s WIFI-enabled convenience and environmental resilience to the Briggs & Stratton 12KW’s robust power management and remote monitoring capabilities, each generator has unique features tailored to different requirements.

The Champion Power Equipment 14KW stands out for its quiet operation and whole-house power management, making it a solid choice for those prioritizing tranquility and comprehensive coverage. On the other hand, the Generac Powerpact 7500W offers a more budget-friendly option with essential features like low oil shutdown and automatic voltage regulation, suitable for smaller homes or less intensive power needs.

Lastly, the Generac Guardian 20KW delivers a formidable power output, ideal for larger homes or those with higher power demands. Its True Power Technology and Mobile Link Remote Monitoring make it a top-tier choice for seamless integration and peace of mind.

Overall Pick: Generac Guardian 20KW

The Generac Guardian 20KW emerges as the overall pick for its blend of high power output, advanced technology features, and reliability. Its capacity to handle extensive power requirements, coupled with innovative features like True Power Technology and Mobile Link Remote Monitoring, offer an unmatched level of convenience and control. While it’s on the higher end in terms of investment, its comprehensive coverage, durability, and ease of use make it a worthwhile choice for those seeking a long-term, robust solution for their whole-house power needs.

FAQs

1. How does a whole house generator differ from a portable generator?
   A whole house generator is permanently installed and automatically powers your entire home during an outage. In contrast, a portable generator is mobile, requires manual operation, and typically powers only a few appliances or systems at a time.
2. Can a whole house generator power my home indefinitely during an outage?
   While a whole house generator can power your home for extended periods, its runtime depends on the fuel supply. With a consistent fuel source, it can keep your home powered for days or even weeks, depending on the generator’s capacity and fuel efficiency.
3. What types of fuel can whole house generators use?
   Whole house generators commonly use natural gas, propane, or diesel. The choice often depends on availability, cost, and personal preference.
4. Are whole house generators noisy?
   Modern whole house generators are designed to operate quietly, although they are not silent. Many models come with sound-attenuating features to minimize noise, making them quieter than their portable counterparts.
5. How often should I maintain my whole house generator?
   Regular maintenance is crucial for the longevity and efficiency of your generator. It’s generally recommended to perform a thorough check at least once a year, but consulting the manufacturer’s guidelines or a professional technician for a tailored maintenance schedule is best.
6. Can I install a whole house generator myself?
   Installing a whole house generator involves complex electrical and gas plumbing work and should comply with local codes and regulations. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to have it installed by a certified professional.
7. How do I determine the right size for my whole house generator?
   The size depends on your home’s power needs. Calculate the total wattage of the essential appliances and systems you want to run during an outage and consult with a professional to determine the appropriate generator size.
8. What safety precautions should I take with a whole house generator?
   Ensure proper installation by a certified technician, regular maintenance, and adequate ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Also, install carbon monoxide detectors in your home and never try to modify the generator’s systems on your own.

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