- 970-669-1883 - Eggers Electric - Northern Colorado
- Licenced - Experienced - Trusted - Generac Certified
Generator Options
Portable vs. Standby
Quick Summary
Portable
Lower Cost - Manual Start
Essential Circuits
Portable Generators
$3,000 - $5,000
typically 7 - 50 Amps
StandBy
Automatic - Higher Capacity
Whole-Home Capable
Standby (Whole-Home)
$10,000 - $20,000+
typically 50 - 110+ Amps
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Which generator is right for you?
Here is a guide to help you decide.
Portable Generators
What it can TYPICALLY power
- Furnace
- Furnace Refrigerator & freezer
- Garage door opener
- Internet & outlets
- Select lighting circuits
WHAT IT TYPICALLY WILL NOT POWER
- Electric range
- Electric water heater
- Central A/C units
- Electric furnace
- Large simultaneous 240V loads
Pros
- Lower upfront investment
- Reliable long-term solution when professionally installed
- Safe, permanent electrical connection (no extension cords)
- Covers essential home systems
- Homeowner training included
Considerations
- Manual start required (you must be home)
- Fuel planning needed for extended outages
- Louder than standby generators
- Powers selected circuits, not the entire home
best fit for
- Homeowners wanting a lower-cost backup option
- Customers comfortable with manual operation
- Homes needing essential circuit coverage
- Reliable backup without full automation
*(Generator, accessories, and professional electrical installation included)
Standby
(Whole-Home)
What it can TYPICALLY power
- Selected circuits or entire house
- HVAC systems
- Well pumps
- Refrigeration Lighting & appliances
- Electronics
Pros
- Fully automatic operation
- Higher power capacity
- Permanent installation with automatic transfer switch
- Runs on natural gas or propane
- Quieter residential operation
- Seamless backup power during extended outages
Considerations
- Higher upfront investment
- Longer installation timeline due to permits
- Load management may still be used for efficiency
best fit for
- Homeowners wanting automatic, hands-off backup power
- Families with medical, work-from-home, or comfort needs
- Homes with frequent or long outages
- Customers prioritizing convenience and full-home coverage
*(Generator, permits, accessories, and professional installation included)
SIMPLE COMPARISON
Think of generators like basketball hoops:
A portable generator is like a portable basketball hoop. Affordable, effective, and perfect for most families' needs.
A standby generator is like a permanently installed hoop. Always ready, more powerful, and built for maximum convenience.
Both Work
The right choice depends on how much power you need, how often outages occur,
and how hands-off you want the experience to be.
Eggers Electric will help you size the right solution for your home.
Generator Sizing:
Electrical Loads vs. Square Footage
Home size alone doesnt determine generator size. Generator sizing is based on electrical loads what you want to power, how much electricity those systems use, and whether they have high starting demands.
Example A —
Larger Home,
Lower Electrical Load
- 1,600 sq ft home
- Gas furnace, gas stove, gas water heater
-
Minimal electric heating
— Typically requires less generator capacity
Example B —
Smaller Home,
Higher Electrical Load
- 1,200 sq ft home
- Electric heat or heat pump
-
Electric water heater, EV charger, or well pump
— Typically requires more generator capacity
Generator size is determined by what you want to run, not how big your home is.
How a Portable Generator
Is Stored and Used
Portable generators are stored in a garage or shed when not in use. They are never run indoors or inside the home.
What happens during an outage (simple workflow)
- Roll the generator outside to a safe, ventilated location
- Plug into a professionally installed generator inlet box
- Engage the transfer switch or interlock
- Power selected circuits safely
Eggers Electric installs inlet boxes and transfer
equipment so power is distributed safely —
without extension cords or dangerous
backfeeding.
Portable generators are a long-term solution when installed correctly —
not a temporary or DIY setup.
Generator size is determined by what you want to run, not how big your home is.
Portable generators are a long-term solution when installed correctly —
not a temporary or DIY setup.
Generator Backup vs. Battery Backup (Solar Batteries)
Generator Backup
- Designed for extended otutages
- Can power high-demand systems
- Refuels (natural gas, propane, gasoline)
- Ideal for multi-day outages and whole-home needs
Battery Backup
(Solar Batteries)
- Designed for extended otutages
- Can power high-demand systems
- Refuels (natural gas, propane, gasoline)
- Ideal for multi-day outages and whole-home needs
Batteries are great for short, quiet backup. Generators are better for long outages and heavy electrical loads.
Generator Fuel Types: Pros & Cons
Natural Gas
- Continuous fuel supply
-
No refueling Ideal for standby generators
- Ideal for standby generators
- Requires gas service availability
Propane
- Long shelf life
- Works well for standby systems
- Flexible tank sizing
- Runtime depends on tank size
Gasonline
- Common for portable generators
- Widely available
- Requires storage and refueling
- Shorter shelf life
Dual-Fuel
- Can run on gasoline or propane
- Flexible during outages
- Slightly more maintenance considerations
Common Generator Questions
1. Portable vs Standby: What's the simplest way to choose?
Choose a portable generator if you want a lower-cost backup for essentials and are comfortable with manual setup. Choose a standby generator if you want automatic, whole-home or near whole-home backup that runs without manual involvement.
2. What can a portable generator typically power?
Typically essential circuits such as furnace blower, refrigerator/freezer, some lights, outlets, garage door opener, and internet — depending on generator size and circuit selection.
3. What can a standby generator typically power?
Typically selected circuits or most/all of the home, including HVAC, well pumps, and major appliances — depending on generator size and load management.
4. Does square footage determine generator size?
No. Generator sizing is based on electrical loads, not square footage alone.
5. How do you size a generator correctly?
Sizing is based on appliances, starting surge loads, and whether you want whole-home or essential coverage.
6. Where do I store a portable generator and how does it connect?
Stored in a garage or shed and rolled outside during outages. It connects through an inlet box tied to a transfer switch or interlock.
7. Do I need a transfer switch or interlock?
Yes. These prevent dangerous backfeed and are required for safe, code-compliant operation.
8. What fuel options do generators use?
Standby generators typically use natural gas or propane. Portable generators use gasoline, propane, or dual-fuel.
9. Generator vs battery backup?
Batteries are best for short outages. Generators are better for long outages and high loads.
10. What maintenance is required?
Standby: scheduled service, oil, battery checks .
Portable: oil changes, fuel stabilization, test runs.
11. Why choose Eggers Electric?
Eggers Electric provides professional sizing, installation, permitting, and long-term support — tailored to each home's actual needs.
Capabilities vary by home, generator size, fuel type, and selected circuits. Final recommendations are based on on-site evaluation and code requirements.
*Powering and results are for typical examples. Actual results vary by generator size, selected circuits, starting loads, and home configuration.
- Not sure which option is right?
- 970-669-1883
GET IN TOUCH WITH US
Call us or fill in the contact form below to schedule a service!