What to Do If Mice Have Moved Into Your Generator
Have mice become residents in your home generator? Learn what…
Choosing a generator that meets your needs helps you stay comfortable during extended outages, keep essential medical equipment running, and prevent losses of valuable frozen goods, but with so many options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed!
Budget Electric has been installing generators since 1988; we chose to partner with Generac because, in our experience, they manufacture the most reliable generators on the market.
Generac has a wide array of models, including the Guardian, XP, and XG. In this article, we’ll compare each model and offer guidance on selecting the best one for your home.
The Guardian Series from Generac includes several well-rounded, basic standby generators. They’re all permanently installed models with two fuel options: natural gas or liquid propane. While they’re not portable, they’re reliable, affordable, and easy to install in accordance with local electrical codes. Power generation potential ranges from 10kW to 20kW. Whole-house switches are standard on many models, ensuring seamless power during outages.
Best For:
Small to medium-sized homes with mostly electrical appliances, homeowners looking for seamless power that’s safe for electronics.
If a portable gasoline generator would work better for your needs, the XP series is a great choice. These models are built around a rugged OHV Generac engine for long life. In fact, this series is built for commercial use, but it’s also valuable for home power generation. Despite being rugged worksite generators, this series includes features such as electric start and low total harmonic distortion (THD) to prevent damage to sensitive devices. Since they’re designed for longer run times, they work well for extended outage coverage at home. Power generation capacity ranges from 6,500W to 12,000W.
Best For:
Small to medium-sized homes where you don’t plan to heat or cool with electricity, and homeowners who need generators both at home and off-site.
These large-scale generators are installed permanently, providing standby power and seamless switching with the right equipment. They’re designed for larger homes that need to keep all appliances and major systems running. Fueled by either natural gas or liquid propane, XG generators provide clean power up to 32kW or 48kW, depending on the model. Mobile link features let you monitor the generator when you’re on the go.
Best For:
Large homes with high-demand electrical appliances and systems, essential medical equipment, and devices in need of seamless power transition.
If you’re looking for a lightweight, fully enclosed portable generator, turn to the Generac iX series. These super-quiet, highly efficient gasoline generators can produce between 800W and 2000W, depending on the model. The inverter design ensures clean, low THD power for sensitive electronics.
Best For:
Flexible power that supports light use for essentials at home, in addition to working for camping or traveling demands requiring quiet operation.
Affordable, adaptable, and portable, the GP series of Generac generators includes models ranging from 3600W to 9200W. With optional electric starting, these rugged units are still a good fit for some homeowners. However, they’re not capable of providing the “clean” low-THD power that other Generac inverter models offer. They’ll still work for jobsite use and can power most freezers, refrigerators, well pumps, and other essential home equipment.
Best For:
Low-use and occasional-use demands, home and work demands that don’t require inverter power.
Portable but designed for minimal transportation, the LP series of generators includes large models ranging from 3250W to 5500W. The key to their design is the heavy-duty wheeled steel cradles, which allow easy movement, along with an integrated holder for 20- to 30-pound tanks. Move the generator wherever you need it most, taking advantage of the portable fuel source that’s easily swapped out as needed, without the need to store gasoline.
Best For:
Small to medium-sized homes where individual appliances are powered separately, or farms that need power at distant shops
Are you going to power your entire home, or just keep your essentials running to prevent defrosted food and cold showers? List your must-haves for a power outage and consider how you might rotate their operation rather than running them all at once to reduce peak load.
Adding up the operating wattage of the appliances you want to run will give you a rough idea of which Generac series will work best for you. Don’t forget to account for starting watt loads as well. Check out our guide on how to size a generator for more information.
It’s best to choose a generator that uses a fuel you can already get at home. If you don’t already have natural gas or propane powering appliances and systems, a gasoline generator from the GP series is a quick addition that doesn’t require a new fuel line.
If you need quiet operation so you don’t disturb your neighbors, consider the Generac iX series. The Guardian standby generators are a little louder, but they’re still among the quietest models on the market.
Standby generators require a sizable space because they require a concrete pad for support. If you have limited space for the equipment, consider a smaller portable unit from the GP series or XP series.
Permanently installed generators, such as the Guardian models and the XG Series, are best suited for extended runs. If you only plan to use your generator for a few hours during emergencies, a smaller portable model is likely all you need.
Most modern devices, and even many smart appliances, need a “clean” power source with low distortion, under 5%. Almost all Generac models can supply this, but it’s still worth checking and may cause you to avoid the GP series.
For automatic power switching, you’ll need to invest in a standby power system based on an XG or Guardian series generator. Sticking with a portable unit from the other lines can give you the flexibility to bring electricity to work sites or on camping trips.
Still need help? Talk to our experts at Budget Electric! We help homeowners across Michigan find and install dependable, affordable generator solutions. Visit our website to learn more about our whole-home installation process, or contact us now to request a free estimate.
