Table of Content
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect™ 10kW Standby Generator, Model 040684
- Generac Guardian Wi-Fi Enabled Standby Generator
- HOW MUCH WILL INSTALLATION COST?
- The #1 selling brand of home backup generators
- Best Whole House Generators December 2022
- What size generator do you need?
- Briggs & Stratton 12,000-Watt Automatic Air Cooled Standby Generator
- We now offer nationwide installation
Standby generators, which are generally larger investments, usually offer 3- or 5-year warranty periods. Create unique print-ready barcodes for product labeling, inventory control, shipping, and more. Articles Learn more about our products and services with articles, videos, and how to's.

The larger generators featured on our list are approximately 30 inches by 30 inches by 48 inches, while the smaller generators are closer to 24 inches by 24 inches by 36 inches. The National Fire Protection Association code requires generators to be five feet or more away from openings such as doors and windows. Briggs & Stratton is next on our list with the PowerProtect 12kW Standby Generator and the smaller 10kW version. Briggs & Stratton’s big selling point is that the generators are 30% smaller than the overall footprint of all competitors due to a taller vertical design that takes up less space on the ground. A smartly placed, front-facing exhaust keeps fumes blowing away from your home instead of toward open windows. Generac’s technology is designed to keep power consistent to protect more delicate electronics from dangerous distortion.
Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect™ 10kW Standby Generator, Model 040684
Portable power stations offer a newer addition to the market and are made possible with the rising affordability of high-capacity batteries. These power stations do not use fuels like propane or gas, but instead charge via your home’s AC power and/or via solar panel. What’s great about portable power stations is they can be used inside your home or apartment since they do not produce any dangerous emissions. If you want nearly instant power restoration for key systems in the event of a power failure, install a backup generator like the Generac Guardian. This 10kW model offers Wi-Fi monitoring and is equipped for either natural gas or propane fuel sources. Pair it with a 100-amp, 16-circuit transfer switch or a 200-amp smart switch, depending on your needs.

Many appliances will be labeled with “starting watts” and “running watts.” The former is the power draw when the appliance first turns on, while the latter is the draw once it’s running. A proper whole house generator is designed to back-up essential appliances like your air conditioner, sump pump and refrigerator as well as power your whole house and everything inside of it. Plenty of Power – With 5,500 starting watts and 4,500 running watts, this unit can handle heavy loads, from lights and a refrigerator to a home air conditioner and high amperage power tools. With intelligent power management features, automatic transferring and start-up and self-running weekly tests, home generators are designed to last a long time with only simple, regular maintenance.
Generac Guardian Wi-Fi Enabled Standby Generator
Whether a power failure is simply not an option, or you just want an advantage over your competitors during a power outage, Generac standby generators make sure you're open for business during a power outage. Installing a whole house generator by yourself is not an easy DIY project and should only be attempted by seriously experienced handypeople. The installation requires electrical wiring and plumbing of flammable fuels.
The advantage of liquid-cooled generators is they can operate more efficiently, without the fear of overheating in climates that regularly get above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Liquid-cooled generators are best for whole house applications because these units are less likely to overheat. When purchasing a generator, the most important determination is the power requirements of your house and especially your large-draw electric appliances. Refrigerators, air conditioning, sump pumps, water heaters and space heaters will have some of the highest power draw in your house. If you have a small home or need fewer watts of power, the Generac PowerPact 7,500 Watt Standby Generator is a great option. The PowerPact includes most of the same features as Generac’s larger models while requiring the smallest footprint of those we’ve ranked.
HOW MUCH WILL INSTALLATION COST?
Low Oil Shutoff – Protects your investment by automatically shutting the generator off when it senses that the oil is low. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners. The advantages of propane include its affordability and its “cleaner” burn, meaning it leaves little to no contamination. Some houses have a permanent propane tank, but propane is also available in smaller containers at grocery stores, hardwood stores and even gas stations.

It also offers Wi-Fi capabilities so you can keep tabs on the unit’s operation from anywhere. The average U.S. home needs a minimum of 5,000 to 7,500 watts to power the critical electrical needs. For this reason, standby generators usually provide between 9kW and 20kW.
The #1 selling brand of home backup generators
Considering its reliable several-hours runtime, this unit seems a reliable propane-powered solution to the increasingly frequent controlled power outages many communities have adopted to save energy. To ensure continuous electric power during disasters such as hurricanes, however, it may be more sensible to use gasoline instead of propane. And are the preferred brand of homeowners who invest in home backup power.

You can use our online home generator sizing calculator to estimate your needs, or consult with a qualified electrical contractor. Generally speaking, a generator should be installed at least 5 feet from windows and doors. Some generators can be installed as close as 18 inches to the house, but you still need the 5 feet of clearance from air intake locations on the house. Some warranties also cover travel costs for a technician to come and service the generator, but this varies by manufacturer and model. The investment you make in a generator is often backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. Most residential portable and inverter generators are protected by a 2- or 3-year warranty period that covers parts and labor.
As expected for a bare-bones generator, this model doesn’t have the ability for Wi-Fi monitoring. It also lacks an engine hour meter, but an aftermarket meter can be installed to help you keep up with routine oil changes and maintenance. To make maintenance and repairs easier, three sides of the aluminum enclosure are removable. Many get their first introduction to portable generators when they need emergency power. But portable generators have many uses around the home and on the job site.

While this generator does not have a remote monitoring system, it does come with a 10-year limited warranty, offering more than double every other brand on this list. If you don’t use all your appliances at the same time (most people don’t) then a smaller generator, paired with a Generac power-management Smart Switch, offers the next best thing to whole-house coverage. When you’re buying a product online, there are a few things you should keep in mind. This will give you a good idea of what the product is and what it can do.
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