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A portable generator for your house needs placement at least 20 feet from your home on a stable concrete pad or driveway.
Expect to pay $500 to $2,000 for a portable generator and $150 to $260 for outdoor outlet installation to power your home safely.
Your generator setup requires a proper outdoor outlet and heavy-duty extension cords, since plugging into indoor outlets creates serious safety risks for your home.
Hiring a local electrical professional provides safe outdoor outlet installation and transfer switch setup, keeping your portable generator ready for the next outage.
A portable generator powers specific appliances during an outage—or your entire home if it’s powerful enough. You’ll need a safe setup for your portable generator, including a stable pad and an outdoor outlet. Here are seven backup generator questions to expect from a pro when you discuss installation details.
Power outages can happen anytime but are most common during winter storms, wind storms, and heat waves. If you want your portable generator ready for the upcoming season, talk with your contractor about getting it installed sooner rather than later.
Portable generators run on propane, natural gas, or solar energy and vary in size and power. Brands and fuel types also impact the cost. Research the types of generators or ask a licensed electrician for their recommendation based on your use, needs, and budget.
Consider the critical appliances you need during a power outage, such as medical devices, your freezer, and your refrigerator. Most portable generators can power a few major appliances but not the whole house. If you store lots of food in your freezer, consider hooking power to that instead of an electric stove or water heater. The more devices you want to power, the more powerful the generator you’ll need, and the more expensive it’ll be to run.
A generator should be placed outdoors at least 20 feet away from your home on a concrete or stable pad. Consider where you plan to put the portable generator, whether on a driveway, patio, or a newly poured concrete pad. You’ll also need to ensure you have a proper outdoor electrical outlet.
When the generator is not in use, store it in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place, such as a garage or shed, and keep it away from heat and fire sources. Think about potential placement areas to discuss with your pro and ask for their recommendation on the best location for your backup generator.
If you don’t have an outdoor outlet already, a licensed electrician will install one, as you should never plug a generator into an indoor outlet. You may also need to add a transfer switch on your electrical panel, but that’s more common for whole-house fixed generators. Any extension cords you use for appliances should be heavy-duty to support the power. Considering these elements will help you plan the services you need your pro to handle.
You can buy a portable generator online or at a local home improvement store. Licensed electricians near you can also recommend and purchase a generator for you, allowing them to manage the process from start to finish and ensure the safest installation.
Portable generators cost $500 to $2,000 on average, depending on the type, brand, and fuel. Pouring a concrete pad costs $50 to $75 per square foot, and installing an outdoor outlet ranges from $150 to $260. While there is an upfront investment for installing a generator, it’s a device that can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run.
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