subject: Portable Generators vs Standby Generators [print this page] The Difference Between Portable Generators and Standby Generators
The most common generators out there are portable generators. We bought a medium-sized, Wacker 5,600 watt portable generator for our cabin in the northwoods of Wisconsin where we seem to have more than our fair share of power outages. The generator wasn't that expensive for a model with a commercial grade Honda engine and when it's not in use, is stored out of the way in a corner of our garage. We did have the electrician wire the house to accommodate the generator which wasn't really necessary but the electrician was coming anyway so we thought, why not. We decided instead of using multiple power cords to hook up our appliances, we would use a manual transfer switch. We also had an outdoor receptacle specifically installed for the generator. So now when we need to use it, we haul it out of the garage, fuel it up, plug it in, pull the cord, and flip a switch on the circuit breaker panel to move the power over to a separate panel which has breakers for the refrigerator, wood pellet stove, microwave and a couple overhead lights - a load our generator can easily handle. We don't have a wheel kit so the hauling of this 180+ pound generator out of the garage part can prove tricky for my wife (I highly recommend a wheeled model or wheel kit accessory so anybody can easily move the generator around!). That, in a nutshell, is pretty much what it is to own a portable generator. It takes just a little bit of effort to switch over to generator power but it meets the needs for the vast majority of us who only need it occasionally and for a relatively short period of time - all at an affordable price. On a final note, a big benefit of having a portable generator is the flexibility it provides. You can easily move your portable generator - electrical power source - around to remote locations or any jobsite as you need it.
Standby generators, on the other hand, are permanently installed units that run on natural gas, propane or even diesel. They are hardwired into your home's electrical system and automatically turn on and off without anyone lifting a finger. You can purchase large units that run your whole house or smaller ones that run only selected items. Large, medium or small standby units though are considerably more expensive than most portables and require an electrician for installation. What is really nice is that standby generators create a total turnkey solution to your emergency power needs. When would I seriously consider a standby generator? If I had a home in an area prone to severe weather, like the hurricane belt; if access to my home was remote or difficult - even on a good weather day; if my home was off the grid and relied solely on solar or wind energy - just in case the weather doesn't cooperate; if I managed a business where the loss of electricity would be devastating - such as computers that must be kept operational, refrigerators that must be kept running for sensitive medical supplies or jobs that are extremely time sensitive and a loss of production would severely impact the bottom line. These are just a few examples; there are so many other scenarios where a standby generator would be the ideal hassle-free solution to help you avoid a loss of power due to weather or a black-out. A good choice for a very dependable standby generator is Briggs & Stratton.
Numerous websites are available to help you figure out which unit is right for your needs. One I like is consumerreports.org and their wattage calculator. You select the electricals you'd like to power, it calculates the total wattage needed and gives you a list of generator recommendations. And then there are the customer service guys at Equipatron.com who will talk to you personally and help you in your decision-making process. There's nothing like talking to a real, live human being!
