Some houses have a permanent propane tank, but propane is also available in smaller containers at grocery stores, hardwood stores and even gas stations.

The advantages of propane are its affordability and that it burns “clean”, meaning it leaves little to no contamination. Those that can use both fuel types are easily converted, without tools, to be ready to burn whichever fuel is needed. Home generators can be run by a variety of different fuel types, but all the ones on our list use either liquid propane (LP), natural gas (NG) or both. Most generators on our list average 60 to 70 dBs, for reference a vacuum cleaner is approximately 70 to 80 dBs. With the generator placed immediately outside of your home, you should also consider the noise level, measured in decibels (dB). Smaller home generators are allowed as close as a minimum of 18 inches from an exterior wall, though you should always check local codes as they may differ from the NFPA’s standards. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) code requires generators to be five feet or more away from openings such as doors and windows. The larger generators featured on our list are approximately 30 inches x 30 inches x 48 inches, while the smaller generators are closer to 24 inches x 24 inches x 36 inches. Whether you have a small yard or many acres of land, you’ll want the generator near to your home so the size and sound matter. Two important considerations, once you’ve figured out your power needs, are the physical footprint of the generator and the amount of noise it makes. Note: Some generators are listed by watt (W) and some by kilowatt (kW). household averages a minimum of 5,000 to 7,500 watts, so many generators are sold with 7,500 to 10,000 watt outputs. Add up the Starting Watts for each appliance and multiply the total by 1.5 to create a margin of safety. If the Starting Watts are not listed you can usually multiply the Running Watts by three. Many appliances will be labeled with “Starting Watts” and “Running Watts”, the former is the power-draw when the appliance first turns on, while the latter is the draw once it’s running. You can also calculate this number yourself by finding the wattage rating label on each of your essential appliances. Many generator manufacturers have online wattage calculators to help you determine what size generator is the best fit for your home. Refrigerators, air conditioning, sump or well pumps, medical devices, electric water heaters and portable space heaters will likely have the highest power draw and be most essential during power outages. Before buying any generator, you should determine the power requirements of your home and your most essential large electric appliances.

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