The weather can be unpredictable in Northeast Ohio, to say the least. When it comes to protecting your home, business and family, it’s crucial that you’ve got all your bases covered. If rain and thunderstorms, snowstorms, high winds or possible vehicle accidents cause power outages in your area, a power generator can keep your electrics up and running. For businesses, no power often equals no income. For a family, it can bring school, work and leisure grinding to a halt. Generac standby generators provide the most robust and reliable emergency power solution.

While a portable generator is useful for people who rarely require backup electricity, it can’t usually power an entire residential or commercial property. Portable generators need regular refills and won’t work in your absence, but they’re a cost-effective short-term fix for a small power outage. On the other hand, the standby generator is more of an investment. It offers full protection and a return on your investment in the long run and protects you against losses.

How Does a Standby Generator Work?

A stationary generator is permanently installed on your property, usually with its own weatherproof covering. They tend to run on propane or natural gas. Once you’ve had one installed, it usually lasts for around 30 years — although it does require regular maintenance.

Generac standby generators turn on automatically, usually within 30 seconds of a power outage. This means the transition is almost seamless, which can prevent lost income if you’re running a business. If you do any work from home or you’re studying, this type of generator can give you peace of mind that you have constant access to electricity.

Stationary generators are especially useful for when you’re on vacation, as they will automatically turn on, and have the ability to alert you or your generator provider of possible issues 24/7. All your perishables would go to waste if you had a portable generator because it wouldn’t switch on your absence in case of an emergency. Upon resale of your property, you can expect a 75%-100% ROI with a standby emergency power unit.

How Does a Portable Generator Work?

Portable generators tend to run on gasoline, making them less eco-friendly than their permanently fixed counterparts. They usually produce less power and make more noise than a stationary generator, but they’re a lower upfront cost. A portable model requires careful storage, and you have to bring it outside when it’s needed. You’ll need to protect it from the rain with a canopy or cover.

Once you’ve switched it on, you may need to choose what you use it for. It’s unlikely it’ll be able to power everything in your home or business. To keep it operating, you’ll need to have a significant amount of fuel stored.

Portable Generators vs Standby Generators

Installation

  • Portable: These generators are usually heavy, and they’re almost always fueled by gasoline. When you need to use it, you’ll have to take it out of storage and set it up. It’s easy to install — just assemble it, fill it up with fuel and switch it on. You can’t use it indoors, and you’ll need to cover it in case of rain.
  • Standby: A stationary generator needs to be installed by a professional. In most cases, you might also require a plumber to fit it so it’s hooked up to your fuel source. Once the job is complete, an inspector will need to check that it’s installed safely. When it comes to using it, you don’t need to do anything; it should switch on automatically.

Monitoring

  • Portable: You need to be present to make use of a portable generator. So, if you go on vacation and there’s a power outage, all perishables will spoil, the sump pump may fail and your home’s security may be compromised.
  • Standby: These generators turn on automatically when they detect a drop in power. They’re connected to a reliable energy source, also Generac generators have the ability to be monitored 24/7 by WIFI or cellular LTE monitoring options, so that you can rely on them during an extended power outage, and you won’t need to store fuel.

Power

  • Portable: The amount of power you get from a portable emergency power source depends on the size of the unit you choose. You may be able to get one large enough to power kitchen appliances, but you might need to turn off the lights.
  • Standby: Standby generators also come in a range of sizes, but they can usually power much more than a portable one.

Noise

  • Portable: Portable generators can be very noisy — generally more than standby models.
  • Standby: A standby generator usually runs tests once a week for a short amount of time, so you’ll be able to hear it at home then. They’re generally quieter than portable generators.

Maintenance

  • Portable: As long as you make sure the fuel tank is empty each time you return it to its storage place, it still needs regular maintenance to ensure fluids and fuel are in good condition.
  • Standby: Most stationary generators give you some kind of signal when they require maintenance, but you should also get them routinely checked once a year.

Cost

  • Portable: The unit itself is affordable, you should still have a manual transfer switch installed to ensure safe operation, eliminating the chance of electrical mishap.
  • Standby: A standby generator costs more than a portable model, but you’ll save money in case of a power outage, plus you’ll get added ROI on your property if you decide to sell.

What Makes Generac Standby Generators Stand Out?

Generac standby generators last as long as 30 years or the equivalent of 3,000 hours of use. If they’re carefully maintained, they could last even longer. The company is committed to minimizing its impact on the environment by making sure they can run using eco-friendly fuel, which is ideal for people who are conscious of their carbon footprint. A wide range of generator types are available, including models that can serve residential, commercial and industrial clients.

Defending Northeast Ohio from the Elements

At Generator One, we provide protection you can rely on against power outages. If you’d like more advice about whether to choose a standby generator or a portable generator, call us today at 440-942-8449.