We take power for granted until the lights go out. Choosing the best gas generator for your home can be confusing because of all the options available. Rather than try to cover ever single generator available I’m going to recommend a few exceptional models that won’t disappoint you. My aim is to help you find a reliable generator with good safety features. Everybody has different needs, which is why we have so many different generator articles on this site. I’m confident you’ll find the right option for your circumstances — and budget. Here are two great generators, one is gas while the other is battery power. That’s right, battery generators have come a long way over the past several years so I’m including it here because it’s an excellent solution to providing clean and quiet power to your entire home.
DuroMax XP13000HX : Gas & Propane Generator
EcoFlow Delta Pro : BEST Battery Generator
Best Gas Generator for Your House
We are living in strange times, just in case you haven’t noticed. I feel like I’ve been repeating myself a lot lately but I can’t help it. The world has changed. It’s not the same place it was a few years ago, before Covid19 entered our lives, but even before then, things began to change; the world has become less stable, more unreliable, and in general, a much scarier world to be living in. Years ago I began to focus this site heavily on portable power because energy is something we will always need for a stable world. Luckily, power is everywhere in first world countries but the power grid has become more unstable as the climate shifts to extremes. Just look at what’s happening in Texas. Truth is, sales of home back-up power has gone up considerably over the past couple years and a lot of people are asking the basic question : What’s the best gas generator for your house?
I’m going to give you a lot to think about in this article. I’ve been deep in research when it comes to back-up power. I’ve thought about this very question for a long time so I think I know what I’m talking about when it comes to buying the right generator that you can depend on when the lights go out either due to a short-term power outage or if a natural disaster like an earthquake or hurricane knocks out the power grid for weeks. What are you preparing for? What’s your budget? Only you know the answer to these questions so I’m going to present you with a variety of solutions for you home.
If you want a gas generator to connect to your transfer panel and power your entire home when the power grid goes down then I recommend buying a generator with a minimum running power of 9500W and a minimum of 12,000W of starting power. The more power the better. Trust me, you’ll be better off with more power. It’s also best not to run your generator to the maximum of its capabilities as this will generate the maximum amount of noise and burn the maximum amount of fuel. Get the most powerful generator you can afford.
I know you’re likely looking for a gas generator but the benefits of investing in a battery backup generator is that it produces zero fumes, it’s quiet, comes in a small form factor, produces clean energy to safely power sensitive electronics and it can recharged with solar panels. How’s that for benefits? The only drawback is the cost. Yes, battery generators are more expensive. Oh, one more major benefit is they can be used indoors safely whereas gas generators produce carbon monoxide that can kill you, and kill many people every year.
Carbon Monoxide : The Silent Killer
Until recently, gas generators did NOT have integrated carbon dioxide (CO) monitoring systems built-in, but over the past couple years manufacturer’s began adding CO monitors into their generators. I remember Briggs & Stratton as being one of the first manufacturer’s to do so, and I applaud them for taking the initiative. Since then I’ve noticed other brands integrating CO monitors, such as : Westinghouse, Craftsman, DuroMax and Champion. Hopefully one day it will be illegal to sell a generator without CO monitoring. Honestly, I don’t why it’s taking so long. People are dying for no reason. Again, battery generators avoid this problem altogether.
Read this article before deciding to buy a gas generator for your home. I don’t want you to be a victim. It’s absolutely criminal as to why manufacturers are resisting mandatory CO monitors. It all comes down to money and profit. Shame on every company who refuses to protect consumers. My advice is to not buy their products. That’s what you can do to make a difference. Only buy a gas generator with carbon monoxide monitoring. I personally wouldn’t buy anything else. Know you now. Hopefully you spend the few extra dollars to protect your family.
[generators] “…They kill an average of 70 people in the U.S. each year and injure thousands more, making them one of the most dangerous consumer products on the market…”
One of my favorite gas generators for your house is the DuroMax 13000HX. It’s ready to connect directly to your home control panel, which is precisely what you need when choosing a has generator to power your home. Read our detailed how-to article on what you need to connect it to your control panel. The HX series from DuroMax is their newer line of generators and has their proprietary carbon monoxide detection system, which is a little more expensive but well worth the added cost. What’s your life worth? Not to be melodramatic but that’s how I look at these things.
DuroMax 13000HX. / Excellent Gas Generator for your Home
If you’ve been reading this site for any period of time you’ll know that I love the Westinghouse brand. Why? Well, for starters they know how to make reliable heavy-duty power equipment, including generators. In fact, they’ve been in business since 1886. Good luck finding many companies today that have lasted for that long. Westinghouse is a true powerhouse when it comes to generators and their prices are phenomenal as well.
One of the most important qualities you want in a generator is reliability. Period! What’s the point in having a generator if you can’t rely on it to start when you need it at 4am, when the power has gone out and your home is freezing? You want to invest your money in a generator brand that you know will kick in when the power goes out. Another great thing about Westinghouse is their easy to use ST Switch that makes it simple to have your generator turn out when the power goes out. It doesn’t get any simpler than this ST Switch. I highly recommend it.
Westinghouse WGen9500c / CO Monitor System
This is the latest model from Westinghouse and belongs on your list for one of the best gas generators for your home.
Features :
- Perfect as a backup power source for larger homes or a dependable source of portable power
- 9,500 rated watts and 12,500 peak watts
- Runs for up to 12 hours on a 6.6 gal. fuel tank with built-in fuel gauge
- Powered by a heavy duty 457cc 4-Stroke OHV Westinghouse Engine constructed with a durable cast iron sleeve
- Push-Button Electric Start pairs with remote start key fob and is backed by emergency recoil start
- Weighing 209.1 lb. with as low as 74 dBA operating volume
- (2) GFCI 5-20R household duplex outlets, (1) Transfer Switch Ready L14-30R 120/240-Volt twist-lock, (1) 120/240V 14-50R receptacle, and (2) USB ports with rubber outlet covers
- VFT display gives you real time updates with the voltage output, frequency, and lifetime hours
- Safe and convenient with automatic low oil shutdown, automatic voltage regulation, and overload protection
- Hardened steel frame with foam grip handle and rugged never-flat wheels make portability easy
- Featuring a carbon monoxide (CO) sensor with automatic shutdown
- All Westinghouse portable generators are functionally tested in the factory and may contain minimum residual oil and/or fuel odor
Note : There’s more to come. There are many more excellent home gas generators that i want to share with you. Stay tuned.