NEW TO BACKUP GENERATORS?
Backup power for your home.
Start with the basics.
Understand your options, work out what you need to power, and learn what it takes to get a system installed.
How does home backup work?
Learn the difference between standby generators, portable power and batteries.
Explore backup options ↗FIND YOUR FITWhich generator is right for me?
Start with the appliances and systems you want to keep running.
Work out your power needs ↗PLAN YOUR BUDGETWhat will it cost to install?
Understand the equipment, installation and site work behind the price.
Explore sizing & costs ↗Explore the resource library
134 published resources
- 15 Questions to Ask a Generator Installer Before Hiring
- About Backup Generator Guide.com
- Air Conditioner Soft Starts and Generator Sizing
- Authorized Generator Dealer vs Independent Installer
- Best Generators for Home Backup in 2026: Standby, Portable & Inverter Picks
- Best Whole House Generators of 2026
- Briggs & Stratton Generators: Models, Prices, Warranty & Are They Good?
- Briggs & Stratton PowerProtect+ 26 kW: Model 040807 Guide
- Can a Standby Generator Be Installed Near an AC Unit?
- Champion 201202 22 kW Generator: Output, Controls and Ownership
- Champion Generators: Standby, Portable, Inverter & Tri-Fuel Models Explained
- Connecting a Portable Generator to a House: Plan the Right Method
- Cummins Generators: Models, Costs, Reviews & Whole House Buying Guide
- Cummins RS20A Generator: Specifications, Packages and Buying Questions
- Diesel Generators for Home Backup: Cost, Runtime, Fuel Use & When They Make Sense
- Disclosures: Commercial Relationships and Research Limits
- DIY vs Professional Whole-House Generator Installation
- Dual-Fuel Generators: Gasoline vs Propane, Best Uses & Whether They're Worth It
- Editorial Policy: Sources, Reviews and Corrections
- Emergency Generator Repair During an Outage: What to Do First
- Generac 10kW Generator: Specs, Fuel Use, Size & Cost
- Generac 14kW Generator: Specs, Fuel Use, Size & Cost
- Generac 1500-Series RPM Sense Loss: Causes & Troubleshooting
- Generac 18kW Generator: Specs, Fuel Use, Size & Cost
- Generac 18kW vs 22kW: Which Standby Generator Should You Buy?
- Generac 22kW Generator: Specs, Price, Fuel Use & What It Can Run
- Generac 22kW vs 26kW: Which One Do You Need?
- Generac 26kW Generator: Specs, Weight, Cost & Buying Guide
- Generac 26kW vs 28kW: Which One Should You Buy?
- Generac 28kW Generator: Specs, Weight, Cost & Buying Guide
- Generac Air Filter Replacement: Interval, Part Selection & How to Change It
- Generac Charger Warning: Battery Not Charging
- Generac Code 1100 / 1101: Overcrank Alarm
- Generac Code 1300: Low Oil Pressure Alarm
- Generac Code 1400 / 1401: High Temperature Alarm
- Generac Code 2400: Fuse Problem Alarm
- Generac Dealers and Installers: How to Find and Choose One
- Generac Error Codes: Meanings, Common Alarms & What to Do
- Generac Generator Battery Replacement: Size, Type & How to Change It
- Generac Generator Clearance Requirements: Distance From House, Windows & Fences
- Generac Generator Cost: Equipment Prices vs Installed Cost
- Generac Generator Fuel Consumption: Natural Gas & Propane by Size
- Generac Generator Installation: Process, Cost & Requirements
- Generac Generator Maintenance: Schedule, Cost & Service Guide
- Generac Generator Not Exercising: Why the Weekly Test Isn't Running
- Generac Generator Reviews: What the Evidence Can Tell You
- Generac Generator Running but House Has No Power
- Generac Generator Service Cost: Maintenance & Repair Prices
- Generac Generator Starts Then Shuts Off: Causes & Troubleshooting
- Generac Generator Warranty: Coverage, Registration & Service
- Generac Generator Won't Start: Troubleshooting Guide
- Generac Generators: Models, Costs, Reliability & Buying Guide
- Generac Natural Gas Pressure Requirements & Gas Line Sizing
- Generac Red Light: What It Means and How to Clear It
- Generac Spark Plug Replacement: Interval, Gap & How to Change Them
- Generac Standby Generators: Models, Sizes, Costs & Buying Guide
- Generac Transfer Switch Troubleshooting
- Generac vs Cummins Whole-House Generators: Which Is Better?
- Generac vs Kohler Generators: Which Is Better for Your Home?
- Generac Yellow Light: What It Means and How to Clear It
- Generator Controller Replacement Cost: Diagnosis, Pricing & When It Makes Sense
- Generator Electrical Requirements: Transfer Switch, Wiring & Service
- Generator Gas Line Sizing: Pipe Size, BTU Requirements, Pressure & What Your Home Needs
- Generator Installation on Concrete vs Composite Pad
- Generator Installation Process: What Happens From Quote to Startup
- Generator Installation Quote Checklist: Compare Complete Proposals
- Generator Installation Requirements: Placement, Permits and Backup Options
- Generator Installation Requirements: Site, Electrical, Fuel & Code
- Generator Installer Red Flags: 12 Reasons to Walk Away
- Generator Installer vs Electrician: Who Should You Hire?
- Generator Interlock Kits: How They Work, Cost, Safety & Interlock vs Transfer Switch
- Generator Load Management: Decide Which Loads Can Wait
- Generator Pad Requirements: Concrete, Composite & Gravel Bases
- Generator Permits: How to Check Local Installation Requirements
- Generator Placement & Clearance: How Far From the House, Windows & Property Lines?
- Generator Repair Cost: 2026 Standby Generator Price Guide
- Generator Repair: Common Problems, Costs & When to Call a Technician
- Generator Running but Not Producing Power: What to Check
- Generator Running Cost: Calculate Fuel Cost for an Outage
- Generator Safety: Portable Operation and Standby Planning
- Generator Service Near Me: How to Find the Right Standby Generator Technician
- Generator Starter Replacement: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Cost
- Generator Starts Then Shuts Off: Causes, Timing & Repair Guide
- Generator Technician vs Electrician: Who Should You Call?
- Generator Transfer Switches: Automatic vs Manual, Sizing & What You Actually Need
- Generator Wattage Chart: Running Watts vs. Starting Watts
- Generator Won’t Start? Troubleshooting a Standby or Portable Generator
- How Far Should a Generator Be From a Window?
- How Far Should a Generator Be From the House?
- How Long Can a Standby Generator Run? Fuel and Service Limits
- How Long Does a Generac Generator Last?
- How Long Does Whole-House Generator Installation Take?
- How Loud Is a Generac Generator? Noise Levels Explained
- How Much Does a Whole House Generator Cost in 2026?
- How to Change the Oil in a Generac Generator
- How to Compare Generator Installation Companies
- How to Get Whole-House Generator Quotes
- How to Verify Licence, Insurance and Certification
- How We Evaluate Generators
- Inverter Generators: Are They Worth It for Home Backup?
- Kohler 26RCA Generator: Specs, Price and Buying Questions
- Kohler Generator Maintenance: 14RCA, 20RCA and 26RCA Schedules
- Kohler Generators: Models, Costs, Reviews & Whole House Buying Guide
- Kohler vs Cummins Generators: Which Is Better for Whole-House Backup?
- Natural Gas Generators: Costs, Sizes, Fuel Use & Best Uses for Home Backup
- Natural Gas Meter Upgrade for a Standby Generator
- Natural Gas vs Propane Generators: Which Fuel Is Better for a Whole-House Generator?
- Official Information About Backup Generator Guide
- Portable Generators for Home Backup: Sizes, Fuels, Runtime & What to Buy
- Privacy Policy
- Propane Generators: Tank Size, Runtime, Cost & Best Uses for Home Backup
- Propane Tank Size for a Standby Generator
- Repair vs Replace a Standby Generator: How to Decide
- Solar Generators for Home Backup: What They Are, Runtime, Solar Charging & Are They Worth It?
- Standby Generator Installation Checklist
- Standby Generator Specifications: Model and Fuel Reference
- Terms of Use
- Transfer Switch Installation: Cost, Process & Requirements
- Transfer Switch Repair: Symptoms, Diagnosis, Cost & Replacement
- Tri-Fuel Generators: Gasoline vs Propane vs Natural Gas & Are They Worth It?
- What Licences Should a Generator Installer Have?
- What Size Generator Can My Gas Meter Support?
- What Size Generator Do I Need for a Well Pump?
- What Size Generator Do I Need for Central Air Conditioning?
- What Size Generator Do I Need for My House?
- Whole House Generator Installation: Process, Cost, Requirements & What to Expect
- Whole House Generators: The Complete Home Standby Generator Guide
- Whole-House Generator Battery Replacement: When, Cost & Warning Signs
- Whole-House Generator Installation Cost: 2026 Price Guide
- Whole-House Generator Maintenance Cost: What Should You Pay in 2026?
- Whole-House Generator Maintenance: Schedule, Costs & What Actually Needs Servicing
- Whole-House Generator Oil Change: How Often, What Oil & When to Service It
- Whole-House Generator vs Home Battery Backup: Which Is Better in 2026?
- Whole-House Generator vs Portable Generator: Which Is Better for Home Backup?
No matching resources. Try a broader term such as “fuel” or “generator”.
01 / UNDERSTAND THE BASICS
Four options. Different jobs.
Start with how you’ll use it. Size, fuel and brand come next.
Whole-house standby
Permanently installed outside. Starts automatically during an outage and powers selected circuits or more of your home.
Plan for professional installation.Understand this option ↗Portable generators
A fuel-powered unit you set up and operate yourself to keep selected appliances and circuits running.
Requires outdoor operation and a safe connection.Understand this option ↗Inverter generators
A portable generator worth exploring for smaller loads when noise, portability and fuel use matter.
Still burns fuel. Still belongs outdoors.Understand this option ↗Solar & battery backup
Stores electricity instead of generating it from fuel. Compare the energy stored with what you need to run.
Plan how you’ll recharge during an outage.Understand this option ↗02 / BUILD YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Your first five questions,
in a useful order.
What kind of backup do I need?
Automatic or manual? A few essentials or more of the house?
What size generator do I need?
List what needs power. The calculator adds up your starting point.
How much should I budget?
Understand equipment costs and the work needed to connect it.
Which fuel makes sense at my home?
Compare a utility gas connection, stored fuel and battery charging.
What does installation involve?
Learn what to ask about the site, electrical connection and quotes.
03 / NARROW YOUR OPTIONS
Stuck between two choices?
FUEL & BRAND RESEARCH
Keep exploring.
BEFORE YOU BUY
Questions worth asking.
What is a home backup generator?
A home backup generator supplies electricity during a utility outage. A permanently installed standby system can start and transfer power automatically. A portable generator requires manual operation and an appropriate connection method. The right choice depends on your loads, fuel supply and need for automatic backup.
What size generator do I need for my house?
Size from the loads you want to run, including motor-starting demand, rather than square footage alone. The sizing calculator provides a planning estimate. A qualified installer should confirm the load, fuel-specific output, transfer equipment and any load-management strategy.
What is included in the installed cost?
A complete proposal may include the generator, transfer switch, electrical work, fuel piping, pad, permits and commissioning. Trenching, utility upgrades and load management can change the scope. Compare itemized proposals rather than equipment prices alone.
Is a generator or battery better for home backup?
A generator can support extended outages while fuel and required servicing remain available. A battery stores a finite amount of energy and needs a way to recharge. Compare the loads, outage duration, automatic operation, available fuels and charging options for your home.
WHEN YOU’RE READY FOR THE NEXT STEP
Find generator providers.
Search by city or state to start your shortlist. Learn how to choose an installer, or explore Houston provider research.
Listings are unverified. Confirm services, credentials and availability directly.
We separate published specifications from hands-on testing. Provider listings are not endorsements.
Our research approach ↗