Do I Need a Whole Home Generator or a Portable Generator?

Large residential generator near home and plantsBuying a generator is a big decision, but many homeowners don’t understand the differences between available models. Fortunately, the team of experts at Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. can help you understand which options are best for which scenarios. Here, we discuss residential generators and how to determine whether a whole-home generator or a portable generator is right for you.

Types of Residential Generators to Consider

Your home needs electricity to run appliances, lighting, and other essentials. Whether your property is prone to outages or you just want a backup in case of emergency, generators help supply critical items with power when you need it most. There are two main options to choose from:

Portable Generators

As the name implies, these units can be transported where needed. This brings a level of convenience and makes them useful for those who frequently go on camping trips or host outdoor events like reunions or tailgates. They are smaller in size, lightweight, and typically feature wheels, allowing users to move them when necessary.

There are portable units of different sizes, with smaller models requiring extension cords to offer reliable power for a few small appliances, and larger models connecting to your electrical panel to provide an effective power solution. These units can run on natural gas, diesel fuel, or liquid propane, but they tend to burn through fuel quickly, so you’ll need to keep extra on hand to be prepared.

Whole-Home Generators

Also known as standby or stationary generators, these models require permanent installation on your property. While this can be more costly upfront, these options are very fuel-efficient and can run for days at a time, making them ideal for those who have appliances or devices that absolutely need power 24/7 or those who live in areas that suffer frequent outages.

Whole-home generators typically offer more power than portable generators, allowing them to supply electricity throughout an average-sized house. This means you can power lights, electronics, heating and cooling systems, and more, without worrying whether your unit can handle the load. As for convenience, these units power up automatically when an outage is detected, which means you won’t have additional work to do.

Our Home Standby Generators

Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. provides customers with a range of options when it comes to at-home generators. We are proud to offer some of the most popular models from brands you can trust, including:

  • Generac
  • Kohler
  • Cummins
  • Briggs & Stratton
  • Honeywell

Our Generac models range from 10 kW models with 10 essential circuits that are great for smaller spaces to 24 kW models that can supply power to homes up to 5,000 sq. ft. Regardless of which generator you choose, you’ll be getting a durable unit that is easy to operate and built for reliable performance.

Choose Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. for Generator Services

If you’re in the market for a generator, look no further than our exciting selection and expert staff at Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. Our sales team is knowledgeable about the technologies and functions of our products and is committed to helping customers get all the answers they need to feel confident in their purchase.

We also offer expert installation of both residential and commercial generators and will take care of fuel line connections and manual transfer switch installation as well. While we don’t sell portable generators, our team is highly trained in installation and capable of getting units you’ve bought from other suppliers ready to go. But our service doesn’t stop there. We can perform routine maintenance and repairs to help ensure your generator operates exactly as it should. With factory-certified mechanics at our disposal, we can prevent minor problems from becoming bigger, more costly issues.

Whether you are looking for a reliable backup option in case of emergency or need installation of a unit you’ve already purchased, the professionals at Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. are your go-to residential generator experts. We can help those throughout the state of New Jersey, providing attentive and friendly service from start to finish. If you have any questions, contact us today or take a look at our generator guide to learn more.

Corbin Electrical Services, Inc. – “We Generate Peace of Mind”