Generator, for the ones that have, ESSCAB-Option
- Generator Buying Guide, Consumer Reports (CR), Jan 26, 2021 – subscription required.
Types (power sizes and typical costs as per generators tested by CR:- Home Standby Generators
- cost the most, plan with professional installation, starts automatically when power goes out and include automatic transfer switch, propane or natural gas fuel
- 5,000 to 20,000 watts
- $2,000 to $6,000 plus installation that can double the cost (i.e. calculate more with cost $4,000 to $12,000)
- Portable Generators
- typically run on gasoline, that require special handling for storage, need considered sheltering in case of rain and more severe weather
- 3,000 to 8,500 watts
- $400 to $2,500
- Inverter Generators
- much quieter than conventional counterparts because throttle up/down to match demand and include more complex engine and exhaust system, and costs more than portable generators at comparable output
- 1,500 to 6,500 watts
- $300 to $4,000
- Portable Power Stations
- does not use gas (gasoline) or propane but powered by battery that must be recharged, can include solar panel (‘Solar Generators’), relatively new to the market, extremely quite
- 1,200 to 1,500 watts
- $750 to $3,000
- Home Standby Generators
- Fuels (more details in our Energy section)
- Diesel
- choice more common on bigger and more costly standby generators, think more commercial and industrial units than domestic
- Gasoline (often used ‘Gas’ as abbreviation in the North America)
- common for Portable- and Inverter- Generators
- Natural gas (NG)
- common fuel for standby generators
- Propane (part of family of liquified petroleum gases, LPG, LP gases)
- common alternative energy source for ‘Duel Fuel’ generators (gas/gasoline and propane)
- Diesel
- Some vendors (US), for your own research and better understanding