Backup generators range from portable units you roll out and gas up to permanently installed standby systems that kick on automatically. Deciding whether one is right for you comes down to how you weigh a few honest factors.
What a standby generator does
A permanently installed standby generator wires into your home and its own fuel supply. When the power drops, it starts automatically within seconds and powers the circuits you have chosen — often the furnace, refrigerator, sump pump, and key outlets — without you lifting a finger. When utility power returns, it shuts itself off.
When it is genuinely worth it
- You rely on power for health: Medical equipment, or a household member who cannot safely go without heat or cooling.
- You have a sump pump: An outage during a storm is exactly when your basement is most at risk of flooding.
- You work from home: An outage is not just inconvenient, it is lost income.
- You lose power often enough to dread it: If outages are a recurring frustration, the peace of mind is real.
When it may not be
If your outages are rare and brief, and nothing in your home is critical, a portable unit or simply riding it out may make more sense than a full standby system. An honest installer will tell you that rather than pushing the biggest option.
Sizing matters
A generator that is too small won't cover what you need; too large is money wasted. Proper sizing starts with deciding which circuits truly must stay on. Smith's electricians walk through that with you and recommend a backup solution matched to your actual needs — not a one-size-fits-all upsell.
Frequently asked questions
When is a home backup generator worth it?
A standby generator makes the most sense if you rely on power for health or medical equipment, have a sump pump at risk during storms, work from home, or lose power often enough to dread it.
What is the difference between a portable and a standby generator?
A portable unit is rolled out and fueled manually for occasional use. A permanently installed standby generator wires into your home and fuel supply, starts automatically within seconds of an outage, and shuts off when utility power returns.
How big a generator do I need?
It depends on which circuits truly must stay on — often the furnace, refrigerator, sump pump, and key outlets. Proper sizing starts there; too small won't cover your needs and too large is money wasted.