Portable Household Generator Basics
Generators for homes come in portable models that can function as generators for power outages, supplying power to vital devices when you’re facing a blackout. Outside the home, small generators can provide power for items like TVs, small appliances, power tools and even lights while you’re camping. In addition to using generators for power outages, many medium and large portable generators for household use work away from home at construction sites, operating power tools such as drills, saws, paint sprayers and air compressors.
Always follow the generator manufacturer's operating, maintenance and safety instructions.
Portable Generators for Home Backup Power
Most portable household generators run on gasoline or liquid propane (LP) and gas/propane models can run on either. Portable generators for home power backup supply power to important devices and appliances lights, a refrigerator and sump pump during an outage. Connecting a generator for a home to a professionally installed manual transfer switch lets you deliver the full output of your portable generator to your home’s electrical system, letting you back up hard-wired appliances.
A portable inverter generator is a gas-powered or gas/propane-powered generator for household, project or recreational use. It’s typically smaller and runs more quietly than traditional generators. These types of portable generators also supply the clean, stable power necessary for many electronic devices. See our Inverter Generator Buying Guide for more information.
A typical gas-powered portable household generator needs fuel stabilizer if you store it with a full tank of gas. A fuel stabilizer prevents formation of the gum, varnish, rust and corrosion that can cause problems with engine starts and operation. If you don’t plan on running the generator frequently, it’s a good idea to drain the carburetor for optimal performance. See your product manual and the manufacturer’s recommendations for more information and read Fueling Outdoor Power Equipment for tips on fueling your machines properly.
Similar to traditional types of portable generators because they provide backup power to devices, portable power stations can be solar powered. These solar battery generators can provide significant power. Larger units can keep large appliances running for up to 24 hours on a single charge. You might think of them as portable solar generators. These portable power stations can fully charge in approximately six hours with solar panels or around 18 hours through an alternating current (AC) plug. Solar generators run without emissions or toxic exhaust, making them suitable for indoor use as portable home generators for power outages. They’re also portable and powerful enough for projects like building a fence or barn. Additionally, they’re great for camping or tailgating.
You should regularly maintain and test generators for readiness. Most manufacturers suggest running your generator once a month to keep it functioning properly.
For a long-term backup power solution, consider a standby generator. Our Standby Generator Buying Guide will help you find one to meet your needs.
Don't attempt to install a transfer switch yourself. Installation of a transfer switch may require local permits but always requires a professional electrician. The transfer switch model will depend mainly on the size of your generator.
An electric-start generator is a portable gas or propane generator that makes it easy to get power quickly with the push of a button or turn of a key. For extra convenience, look for generators that start with a wireless remote.
Portable Household Generator Power and Sizing
If you’re wondering which are the best portable generators, it depends on what you need to power. The wattage a portable generator produces determines the items it can power and whether or not it’s the best portable generator for your needs. Deciding how much power you need is crucial to selecting a portable generator size. Use this Portable Generator Wattage Estimate Worksheet to estimate the power requirements of the items you want to run, and determine how much power you need from a generator.
Portable Household Generator Features
- Circuit-breaker-protected outlets guard against overload.
- Larger fuel tanks give portable generators for home, projects and recreation longer runtimes.
- Integrated fuel gauges help you keep generators for power outages running.
- Power that's safe for computers or other electronic devices – the type of power that inverter generators provide – helps operate and protect sensitive items.
- Lower dB ratings on portable generators for homes mean the machine won’t be as disruptive as portable household generators with higher dB ratings.
- Fold-down handles and wheel kits make it easy to take a portable household generator to a project site to power your tools.
When shopping for fuel-powered portable household generators, look for models with built-in carbon monoxide sensors. These generators are designed to shut down automatically when the sensor detects harmful levels of carbon monoxide. However, they’re for outdoor use only, according to the generator manufacturers’ instructions.
Portable Household Generators Require Focus on Safety
Before reading these tips, read the owner's manual and instructions for your portable generator. Carefully follow all instructions and warnings to safely start and operate the generator. Don't cut corners when it comes to safety. These tips are merely supplemental and aren't intended to substitute reading the owner's manual.
Portable Generators for Home: Carbon Monoxide
The exhaust from fuel-powered generators — including gasoline, propane and diesel portable generators for homes — contains carbon monoxide (CO), a deadly, poisonous gas you can’t see or smell. Never run one of these generators indoors, in an enclosed area or in a partially enclosed area such as a garage. Using a fan or opening doors and windows won’t provide sufficient ventilation. Only use these portable generators for home outdoors — far from windows, doors, vents and crawlspaces — and in an area where adequate ventilation is available. Check your manual for instructions on placement. For example, your manual might specify the generator needs to be 20 feet or more away and downwind from any occupied space. Make sure your home has properly installed carbon monoxide detectors.
Portable Generators for Home: Fueling and Preventing Burns
- Gasoline is extremely flammable and explosive.
- Don't overfill the fuel tank. Always allow room for fuel expansion.
- If the fuel tank is over-filled, fuel can overflow onto a hot engine and cause a fire or explosion.
- Never add fuel while the unit is running or hot. Allow the generator and the engine to cool entirely before adding fuel. Don’t fuel a portable generator in a space without proper ventilation.
- Never store a generator with fuel in the tank where gasoline vapors might reach an open flame, spark or pilot light.
- Don't smoke near fuel or a generator.
- Many generator parts are hot enough to burn you during operation and while the generator is cooling after shutdown. Avoid coming into contact with a hot generator.
Portable Generators for Home: Electrical Hazards
- If you’re simply plugging individual devices, such as a refrigerator or lamp, into a portable generator, you don’t need to turn off your home’s main circuit breaker. Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring without a properly installed transfer switch, or to a regular household outlet, can be deadly. A generator that's directly connected to your home's wiring can back feed onto the power lines connected to your home and injure neighbors or utility workers. If you want to use a portable household generator to power one or more circuits on your home electrical system, talk to a licensed electrician about installing a transfer switch and follow all instructions for using the generator with the transfer switch.
- Always start or stop the generator only when no electrical loads are connected.
- Overloading your generator can seriously damage valuable appliances and electronics. Don't overload the generator. Don't operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator. Prioritize your needs. You should use a portable generator only when necessary and only to power essential equipment.
- Use the proper power cords. Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load. Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage. Don't use extension cords with exposed wires or worn shielding.
- Don't operate the generator in wet conditions, such as rain or snow.
- The generator must be properly grounded. If the generator isn't grounded, you risk electrocution. Check and adhere to all applicable federal, state and local regulations relating to grounding.
Portable Generators for Home: Placement and Operation
- Keep children away from portable generators at all times.
- Allow at least 5 feet of clearance on all sides of the generator when it's operating.
- You can use a generator during a variety of weather and temperatures, but you should protect the generator from the elements when it's not in use to prevent shorting and rusting.
- Never run a generator indoors. Check the manual for the required operating distance from the home.
- Operate the generator only on level surfaces where it won't be exposed to excessive moisture, dirt, dust or corrosive vapors.
- Inspect the generator regularly. Contact the nearest authorized dealer about parts for repair or replacement.
- Always disconnect the spark plug wire, and place the wire where it can't contact the spark plug to prevent accidental starting when setting up, transporting, adjusting or making repairs to the generator.
Portable Household Generator FAQ
What's the Difference Between Rated Watts and Maximum (Surge) Watts?
Rated watts describe the amount of power the portable generator can produce continuously. Maximum wattage is the power that the generator can produce for short periods of time. The power a motor needs when starting up is a good example of maximum wattage requirements.
Can I Use a Portable Generator for Backup During a Power Outage?
Yes. You can plug household appliances and devices into a portable generator but not all simultaneously.
Never plug your generator into an outlet in your home or business. If you'd like to connect a portable generator to your home's wiring system, have a certified electrician install an approved manual power transfer switch in compliance with electrical codes.
Never operate a fuel-powered generator indoors or in any enclosed or partially enclosed space. Check the manual for the necessary operating distance from occupied spaces.
What's a Transfer Switch?
A transfer switch allows you to connect a portable generator to your home's electrical system, while safely disconnecting you from the utility grid. This will eliminate any chance of a dangerous back-feed.
What's a Back-Feed?
A back-feed occurs when a generator is plugged into an electrical outlet, feeding power back onto utility lines. This creates a life-threatening hazard for any utility employees working to restore power to these lines.
Does the Portable Generator Need to Be Grounded?
Yes. For safety, the generator must be properly grounded. If the generator isn't grounded, you risk electrocution. Check and adhere to all applicable federal, state and local regulations relating to grounding.
Can I Vent the Exhaust out of an Enclosed Area?
No. Never run the generator in a home or an enclosed area. Portable generators are designed to run outside where there's plenty of ventilation. Generator exhaust, like that of all gasoline engines, contains poisonous carbon monoxide. For more information, refer to the Portable Generator Safety Tips above.
Can I Use the Generator During Inclement Weather?
You can use a generator during a variety of weather and temperatures, but you should protect it from the elements when it's not in use to prevent shorting and rusting. Never run a generator indoors or any enclosed or partially enclosed area.
How Often Should I Perform Routine Maintenance?
Manufacturers base maintenance schedules on hours of operation or a number of months, whichever occurs first. For example, you might need to change the oil in a generator after the first 25 hours of operation or after the first month you own it and every 50 hours of operation or 6 months after that. You might need to clean the air filter after 50 hours of operation and replace the filter and spark plug after 300 hours of operation or every year. Check your owner's manual for the recommended maintenance schedule and the maintenance items necessary on your specific portable household generator.
Where Can I Purchase Parts?
Lowe’s offers a variety of generator parts and accessories. Purchase parts through any authorized dealer. Refer to the dealer locator section on the manufacturer's website to find a dealer near you.