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Get answers to some of the most popular questions about home standby generators.
A home standby generator is a permanently installed backup power system that automatically supplies electricity to your home during a power outage. Installed on your property close to your home, it is connected to your home's electrical system through an automatic transfer switch. The generator detects when utility power is lost and turns on within seconds to restore power to your home. When power returns to the grid, the generator turns off.
A home standby generator helps protect your home by automatically restoring power when utility service is interrupted. Backup power can help prevent food spoilage, maintain heating and cooling systems, reduce the risk of frozen pipes, ensure personal devices stay charged, and keep security systems operational. By minimizing the impact of extended outages, a whole house generator helps improve comfort, safety, and peace of mind for homeowners.
A home standby generator can run for as long as fuel is available and the unit is properly maintained. For every 24 hours of use, the oil levels should be checked and oil added if necessary. Natural gas-powered generators can often operate continuously because they are connected to a utility gas line, while propane-powered generators can run for days depending on tank size and electrical load. Whole home generators are designed to provide extended backup power during prolonged outages while automatically managing household energy demands.
The right size whole house generator depends on your home's square footage, electrical usage, and the appliances or systems you want to power during an outage. Smaller homes may require a 10–18kW home standby generator, while larger homes with multiple air conditioning units or high electrical demand may need 22kW-28kW. A Generac dealer can perform a load assessment to help determine the best standby generator size for your specific needs.
Most home standby generators operate on either natural gas or liquid propane (LP). Natural gas generators connect directly to an existing gas utility line, providing a continuous fuel supply during most outages. Propane-powered standby generators use an on-site fuel tank and are often a good solution for homes without natural gas service. Both fuel options provide dependable backup power and long runtimes when properly maintained.
A well-maintained home standby generator can last 20 years or more, depending on usage, operating conditions, and routine maintenance. Most standby generators are designed for thousands of operating hours and undergo extensive testing to withstand long-term use. Following the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule can help maximize the lifespan and performance of your home generator system.
The primary difference between a home standby generator and a portable generator is automation and power capacity. A home standby generator is permanently installed, automatically turns on during an outage, and can power selected circuits or an entire home. Portable generators require manual setup, refueling, and connection to appliances or transfer equipment. Whole house generators also typically provide greater power output and longer runtimes than portable units.
To learn more, visit South Shore Generator Sales & Service.
Source: generac.com
Whether your need is to power your business to keep on your production schedule or your home to keep your family safe and sound, South Shore Generator has the product diversity to meet all of your generator requirements. We are proud to sell and service generators from 2kW to 2000kW single set units and up to as large as 100MW utilizing Generac's innovative Modular Power Systems (MPS).
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