Key Takeaways
- Follow safety, maintenance and use instructions in our article and your manual.
- Calculate generator capacity by adding the power needs of devices you plan to run.
- Prepare a generator operating area 20 feet from the home with 3 to 5 feet of clearance on all sides.
- Start the generator with no devices attached and add them one at a time; turn off and remove devices before shutting the generator down.
- Don’t run a generator in rain or snow without a manufacturer-approved in-use cover.
- When power returns, shut off the generator, let it cool and perform maintenance before storing.
- This article contains safety warnings and callouts — please read the entire article.
Before You Set Up a Generator
It’s helpful to know some terms we use in this guide:
- Load: Electrical power devices draw from the generator.
- Running Watts: The amount of power a device uses during normal operation.
- Starting Watts: The greater amount of power some devices use when starting.
- Generator Capacity: The starting and running wattage a generator can provide.
Generator Safety
Follow all safety precautions in your manual and remember these key points:
- The exhaust from portable generators contains carbon monoxide (CO), a deadly, poisonous gas you can’t see or smell.
- Don’t run a generator indoors or in an enclosed space, such as a garage, shed or crawlspace.
- Operate a generator at least 20 feet from the home, with 3 to 5 feet of clearance on all sides and the exhaust pointed away from the home.
- Don’t refuel a hot generator.
- Don’t run a generator exposed to rain or snow or in a wet location.
- Don’t touch a generator with wet hands.
- Don’t connect a generator to a home electrical outlet.
- Don’t connect a generator to a home power system except by means of a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician.
- Don’t connect multiple extension cords together.
This article provides general tips for safely operating a gasoline-powered portable generator at home during a storm-related power outage. The information isn’t a substitute for your generator manual and isn’t intended to be a complete set of instructions. Different generators have different procedures for preparation, operation, maintenance and storage. Always defer to your generator manual.
How Do I Get My Generator Ready for a Storm?
Good planning and maintenance help ensure your generator is ready when you need it.
Planning
- Read your generator manual, including instructions for setup, grounding, use and safety.
- Make sure the combined starting watts and running watts of the devices you want to power don’t exceed the generator or generator receptacle capacity.
- Plan an operating area in a level space, above any flood-prone areas.
- To reduce the risk of CO gas entering the home, the Centers for Disease Control recommend setting up a generator at least 20 feet from entry points such as doors, windows and vents.
- Have working CO detectors centrally located on each floor of your home and in or just outside each bedroom.
- Make sure the generator has 3 to 5 feet of clearance on each side for good airflow.
- Have grounded, outdoor-rated extension cords with wire gauges suitable for your devices and long enough to reach them.
- Keep fuel in approved containers outside of your home, such as in a ventilated, detached shed, away from direct sun and heat, and at least 50 feet from ignition sources.
- Check to see if the generator is compatible with a manufacturer-approved running cover or in-use tent that can protect it from rain or snow during operation.
Our tips for estimating generator runtimes help you make sure you have the fuel you need for an outage.
Maintenance and Inspection
- If you have a new generator, follow the manufacturer’s break-in steps to prepare it for use.
- If the generator has an electric start feature, make sure the battery is charged.
- Top off the fuel and oil if necessary.
- Inspect the generator and extension cords to ensure there’s no damage.
- Using the procedure in “Startup and Shutdown” below, start the generator, connect a few devices and let the generator run for several minutes before shutting it down.
Don’t have a generator? Read our generator guide to learn about your options. Use our Wattage Calculator to estimate running watts of your devices and find recommended generators.
What to Remember When Running the Generator During a Storm Outage
Manufacturers usually specify that you shouldn’t run a generator in rain or snow, so unless you can fit the generator with a manufacturer-approved in-use cover, wait until the storm passes before setting up and running the generator.
Setup
- Set the generator in the operating area with the exhaust pointed away from the home.
- Make sure the generator will be clear of areas where water might collect.
- Clear debris from the operating area.
- Check fuel and oil levels.
- Have an ABC fire extinguisher within easy reach.
Startup and Shutdown
Follow this procedure any time you start and stop a generator. See your manual for specifics.
- Make sure the generator is at least 20 feet from the home, with the exhaust pointed away.
- Start and restart the generator with no load and let it run for a few minutes.
- Plug in devices one at a time, turning each one on and letting the generator adjust to the load before connecting the next one.
- Before shutting down the generator, turn off and disconnect devices, then allow the generator to run for several minutes with no load.
- Shut the generator down.
Operation
- Keep the generator dry but don’t enclose it.
- Keep children and pets away from the area.
- Start the generator using the process in “Startup and Shutdown” above.
- Adjust the generator placement according to wind direction to reduce the risk of exhaust entering the home.
- When it’s time to refuel or check oil, shut the generator down and allow it to cool completely.
If you want a quieter generator, consider an inverter generator. In addition to being quieter than a standard backup generator, an inverter generator runs more efficiently and produces power that’s safer for sensitive electronics.
Mistakes to Avoid With a Generator
- Don’t overload the capacity of the generator.
- Don’t run the generator at a higher capacity than recommended by the manufacturer.
- Don’t let the generator run out of fuel with devices connected.
- Don’t run the generator without sufficient oil.
- Don’t ignore scheduled maintenance, like oil and air filter changes, during an outage.
If you need backup power indoors, consider a portable power station. Sometimes known as portable solar generators, they charge from a household outlet or solar panels and can provide power without emissions or exhaust.
Backup Generator Maintenance and Storage After the Outage
Once the storm outage is over, make sure your portable generator is ready for the next outage.
- Shut down the generator according to the process above and allow it to cool completely.
- Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug.
- Follow maintenance instructions, such as changing the oil and air filter, cleaning the spark plug, etc.
- If the fuel in a gasoline generator isn’t treated with stabilizer, drain it or run the generator until it uses the remaining fuel.
- Check your equipment for damage.
- Brush off and cover the generator before storing it in a dry location, out of the reach of children.
- Periodically run the generator outdoors as recommended by the manufacturer and keep the battery charged, if equipped.
For permanent, automatic backup power, consider a home standby generator. Our standby generator guide explains how they work and answers some common questions.
Be Prepared for Storms With a Portable Generator
A backup generator keeps vital appliances and devices running during a power outage. Shop Lowes.com for generators by wattage capacity, fuel type and more to find one that matches your needs. Visit your local Lowe’s and talk to one of our Red Vest associates. They can show you available models and help you find the extension cords and accessories you need to be ready for storms and outages.
Generator Checklist FAQ
Use the answers to these portable generator questions to make sure you’re ready for a power outage.
How Do I Protect a Generator in a Storm?
Manufacturers specify you shouldn’t run a generator in rain or snow, so keep it in storage until the storm passes unless it’s fitted with a manufacturer-approved in-use cover. Check the documentation for the cover and your generator to determine compatibility.
What Types of Appliances Can I Safely Run on a Generator?
You can typically run any home appliance, such as a refrigerator or freezer, on a portable generator if the generator is rated for the combined starting and running watts of the appliance and any other devices you plan to run. It’s a good idea to use a generator with higher wattage ratings so you can run it at about 80 percent capacity, if recommended by the manufacturer.
How Long Will a Generator Run on Gas or Propane?
Runtimes for generators vary by the generator engine, the fuel tank size and the power usage of the devices connected to it. Check the generator specifications in the manual. Manufacturers often provide estimates on fuel use.
How Long Can a Generator Run Before It Needs to Be Powered Down?
Continuous run times vary by model, so check the generator manual for recommendations. For example, the manufacturer might recommend shutting down the generator after eight hours of operation or when the generator needs refueling (whichever comes first) to check the oil level.