Standby Generators vs. Whole House Generators

Choosing the right generator for your home depends on several factors, including the size of your property, your power needs, and your personal preferences. Understanding the difference between a standby generator and a whole-house generator can help you make an informed decision.

What Is a Standby Generator?

A standby generator is an automatic backup power system designed to restore electricity to essential home functions in the event of an outage. Unlike portable generators that require manual setup and refueling, standby generators are permanently installed and connected to a home’s electrical system. They run on natural gas or propane and automatically activate when a power loss is detected, ensuring that critical appliances and systems continue operating without delay.

Standby generators are typically used to power essential components of a home, including:

• Refrigerators and freezers – Preventing food spoilage during prolonged outages.
• Heating and cooling systems – Maintaining indoor comfort, especially during extreme weather conditions.
• Sump pumps – Protecting basements from flooding in heavy rain.
• Medical equipment – Ensuring life-saving devices remain functional for those who rely on them.
• Security systems – Keeping alarm systems and surveillance cameras operational.

One of the biggest advantages of a standby generator is that it offers a seamless transition when the power goes out. Within seconds of an outage, the system automatically detects the failure and begins supplying power to the selected circuits. Once the utility power is restored, the generator shuts off and returns to standby mode, ready for the next outage.

What Is a Whole-House Generator?

A whole-house generator provides the same automatic backup power as a standby generator but offers a more comprehensive solution by supplying electricity to the entire home. Instead of selectively powering only essential appliances, a whole-house generator allows homeowners to maintain normal daily routines, even during extended outages.

With a whole-house generator, you won’t have to worry about which devices and systems are prioritized. The generator powers everything in your home, including:

• All electrical outlets – Ensuring you can use devices, charge electronics, and keep lights on in every room.
• Kitchen appliances – Keeping all appliances operational, from microwaves and ovens to dishwashers and coffee makers.
• Laundry machines – Allowing you to continue washing and drying clothes without disruption.
• Wi-Fi and entertainment systems – Keeping your internet connection and home entertainment running as usual.
• Garage doors and electric gates – Ensuring full access to your property during outages.

Whole-house generators are ideal for homeowners who want complete peace of mind and prefer not to sacrifice convenience during a power failure. These systems are designed for high-power output and are available in various sizes to match the energy demands of any home.

What Size Home Generator Do You Need?

The size of the standby generator or whole-house generator you need doesn’t depend on the size of your home. It’s all about what you need to keep powered up during a power outage. For example, if all you want is a standby generator to keep your fridge, oven, and HVAC system running, you could potentially be satisfied with a small Tri-State generator, maybe as small as 12 kW.

If, on the other hand, you want your whole house generator to keep everything running, you may need to look at a 48kW or even 80kW generator.

When you decide you need a generator, one of the experts from Tri-State Water, Power & Air will come to your home. We’ll look at what you need and want to keep running. And we’ll recommend the ideal size of standby generator or whole-house generator you need.

The Benefits of a Tri-State Home Standby Generator

At Tri-State Water, Power & Air, we don’t just sell you a home standby generator and send you on your merry way. We bring the residential generator you’ve chosen to your home and install it. Our master electrician will install a transfer switch, hooking it up to your electric meter. When that switch detects that your meter isn’t running, it will power up your home standby generator.

Our expert plumbers will hook your whole-house generator into your existing natural gas or propane line. If you don’t currently have natural gas or propane, there are benefits and drawbacks to each one. One of our generator specialists can help you evaluate the pros and cons.

Natural gas may not be available in your area, or it could be costly to run to your home. But once you’re hooked up, natural gas is less expensive than propane. A propane tank needs to be refilled, and propane costs more. But propane has more power per cubic foot than natural gas.

If you don’t have access to natural gas, or find it too expensive to install, we have a propane service we can get set up for you. All the pipes needed run underground. Our plumbers handle all that for you.

Our generator specialist team can have your standby generator installation completed in as little as one day. They’ll test the generator to make sure it’s working properly and leave you with information about our 24/7 emergency service. If anything goes wrong with your whole- house generator, our technicians are available, no matter what. We can also perform regular maintenance on your generator.

The Key Benefits of a Whole-House Generator

Investing in a whole-house generator ensures that your home remains fully powered, even when the electrical grid fails. At Tri-State Water, Power & Air, we do more than just supply generators—we provide professional installation and ongoing support so that your backup power system is always ready when you need it. From seamless installation to long-term reliability, here’s how a whole-house generator benefits your home and family.

Uninterrupted Power for Your Entire Home

Unlike smaller backup systems that only power a few essential appliances, a whole-house generator supplies electricity to your entire home. That means your lights, HVAC system, kitchen appliances, water heater, security system, and entertainment devices will continue running without interruption. You don’t have to choose which circuits to power—your generator ensures that every part of your home remains functional.

Automatic Activation During an Outage

A whole-house generator is designed to turn on automatically when it detects a power failure. Within seconds, the system engages and supplies electricity to your home, preventing disruptions to your daily life. Once utility power is restored, the generator shuts off and returns to standby mode, ready for the next outage.

Reliable Fuel Source Options

Whole-house generators run on either natural gas or propane, providing a continuous and reliable fuel supply. If you already have a natural gas line, your generator can connect directly to it, ensuring that you never have to worry about refueling. If natural gas isn’t available in your area, propane is a strong alternative that provides excellent power efficiency. Our team can evaluate your property and help you determine the best fuel option for your needs.

Professional Installation & Seamless Integration

At Tri-State Water, Power & Air, we handle every aspect of your generator installation. Our master electricians install the automatic transfer switch, which connects the generator to your home’s electrical panel. When power is lost, the transfer switch immediately signals the generator to start, keeping your home running smoothly. Our licensed plumbers ensure that your generator is safely connected to a fuel source, whether it’s a natural gas line or a propane tank. We take care of all necessary permits and underground piping, making the installation process hassle-free.

Protecting Your Home & Essential Appliances

Power outages can cause more than just inconvenience—they can lead to costly damages. Without electricity, sump pumps can fail, leading to basement flooding, and HVAC systems can shut down, leaving your home vulnerable to extreme temperatures. A whole-house generator safeguards your home by keeping critical systems online, protecting your property and appliances from damage.

24/7 Emergency Support & Routine Maintenance

A generator is an investment in your home’s safety and comfort, and we ensure that it remains in top working condition. Our team offers 24/7 emergency service, so if your generator ever encounters an issue, we’re ready to assist you—no matter the time or weather conditions. We also provide routine maintenance to keep your generator running efficiently, giving you peace of mind that it will be ready when you need it most.

Be Prepared for Any Power Outage

With a whole-house generator from Tri-State Water, Power & Air, you won’t have to worry about losing power ever again. Whether it’s a storm-related outage, grid failure, or unexpected power disruption, your generator will keep your home fully functional. Contact us today to learn more about installing a whole-house generator and ensuring your home stays powered year-round.

Which Type of Residential Generator Is Right for Your Home?

Both standby and whole-house generators provide dependable backup power, but the best choice depends on your household’s power needs and budget.

Is a Standby Generator or a Whole-House Generator Better?

Homeowners who want to ensure that only critical systems remain operational may find a standby generator to be a cost-effective solution. However, if you prefer full-home coverage, a whole-house generator offers the ability to continue living life as usual, without making compromises on which appliances and devices can be used.

At Tri-State Water, Power & Air, we help homeowners determine the best generator for their needs. Whether you need a generator for emergency essentials or a system that keeps your entire home running smoothly, we provide expert installation and maintenance to ensure long-lasting, reliable performance. Contact us today to learn more about our generator solutions and how we can help you stay prepared for power outages.

Why Get a Home Generator From Tri-State Water, Power & Air?

Whether you decide to purchase a standby generator or whole-house generator, Tri-State is here for you. We want you to have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that, in the event of a power outage, your home will keep running. That’s what we really sell: peace of mind. Our generators are just the means by which we provide it. Why wait? Contact us today to schedule an in-home appointment with one of our generator experts.