Standby vs. portable: decide this first
A standby generator is permanently installed, runs on natural gas or propane, and starts itself within seconds of an outage through an automatic transfer switch. A portable generator is wheeled out, fueled by hand, and connected through an inlet and manual transfer switch. Both are legitimate; they solve different problems.
- Standby: whole-home or managed-load coverage, no action needed when you are away, higher upfront cost.
- Portable with a proper inlet: a fraction of the price, covers the essentials, requires you to be home and to store fuel safely.
What is never acceptable is a portable generator back-fed through a dryer outlet. It energizes the utility line and has killed line workers. If you go portable, the inlet and interlock are the part that makes it safe — and they are our part.
What “whole-home” actually means in kilowatts
Generators are rated in kilowatts. A Houston home’s peak demand is dominated by cooling, so the air conditioner sets the floor.
| Home | Typical loads covered | Standby size |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials only | Fridge, lights, internet, a window unit, well or sump pump | 10–14 kW |
| 3–4 bedroom, one AC | Everything above plus one central AC, water heater, cooking | 18–22 kW |
| Larger home, two ACs | Whole house without load management | 24–26 kW+ |
Two things change the answer: a load calculation of what is actually installed (not a guess from square footage), and load management. Modern transfer switches can hold back the second AC or the oven until there is capacity, which often lets a smaller, cheaper unit cover a larger home.
The transfer switch is half the job
The automatic transfer switch (ATS) sits between the utility, the generator and your panel. It senses the outage, starts the generator, moves the house onto it, and — just as important — moves it back and shuts down when the grid returns. It is also what keeps generator power off the utility lines.
Service-entrance-rated switches replace your main disconnect and cover the whole panel. Managed-load switches add smart modules for the big appliances. We size the switch to the service, not just to the generator.
Gas, placement and the permit
- Fuel: natural gas is the default in most of our service area. The meter and the line to the unit must deliver enough volume at the right pressure; an undersized gas line is the most common cause of a generator that starts and then stumbles.
- Placement: code sets minimum distances from windows, doors and vents, and manufacturers specify clearances for service. A concrete or composite pad, a level spot and drainage matter more in Houston than most places.
- Permits: electrical and usually gas permits are required, with inspection. We pull them.
Where the money goes
For a typical standby installation the unit itself is roughly half the total. The remainder is the transfer switch, the gas line and meter work, the pad, wiring, permits and labor. Long gas runs, a panel that needs upgrading first, or a two-switch managed configuration push the number up; a short gas run to an existing panel with capacity pulls it down.
As a Generac Certified installer we quote the whole scope — including the annual maintenance plan that keeps the warranty valid — before anything is ordered. Estimates are free.
Homeowner Guides
Homeowner Guides
Homeowner Guides