Back Up Generators

Backup generators are convenient & could save your life. Read a guide on back-up generators, their average price ranges & how they are utilized today.



A back up generator is more than just a convenience to have on-hand. Having a back up generator does everything from keeping you warm/cool during emergency power outages to potentially saving lives. The concept of a generator is common knowledge to many consumers. Various types of high-quality back up generators are available on the market, today, however. Different types of generators are used for different purposes. Each type/brand also have their own price points, and those prices vary based on size, power, current market value and utilization purpose. Read ahead for a helpful guide on common back up generators, their average price ranges and how they are utilized today.

Generators 101

Generators provide power to various buildings, structures and equipment. All normal, functional buildings get their main source of power and electricity from utility companies. Accidents and weather-related emergencies sometimes shut down the grid, causing a power outage. Unfortunate incursion-related emergencies also sometimes occur, including bombs, bombs threats, riots and attacks. While the latter are infrequent, weather and accident-related power outages are not. Generators provide the power your home or business needs to get through multiple sources of power outages.

Generators are utilized for more than emergency situations, however. For example, certain types of equipment only run on generator-based power. How much power you need from your generator depends on its utilization purpose. For example, approximately 5,000 watts powers an average home. Generators also vary widely in price range based on power (watts), brand, type and more. Choosing the best generator for your needs is reliant upon you understanding the various types and power ratings available today.

Why Buy a Backup Generator?

Having a backup generator is essential if you own a building, which houses any type of business. This is especially true for buildings where in-person employees are situated. It is also true for buildings housing servers, computers and other high-tech equipment. Properly-powered back-up generators keep your business running during certain emergencies, which helps protect your financial bottom line.

Homeowners who live in harsher climates need a backup generator to protect against the inevitable power outages caused by heavy snow, ice, excessive heat and severe storms. Mobile homes need generators as this type of residential structure is more susceptible to weather-related power outages than most. Any homeowner or business owner who needs to protect the power sources in his or her structure has a viable (and necessary) reason to purchase a backup generator.

Most Common Types of Generators

Generator types are categorized both by utilization purpose (application/usage) and the type of fuel they use to generate power. Categories of generators based on their utilization purposes include portable, inverter, standby and induction. Portable generators commonly use diesel or gas fuel and provide a temporary source of power in changeable locations. Inverter generators generate AC power and are most commonly used to power appliances. Standby generators are perhaps the most popular generators on the market today. This type of generator is commonly referred to as a standard backup generator, which provides emergency power fueled by diesel or gas. Large tanks allow standby/backup generators to provide power for up to forty-eight hours. Induction generators have two sub-types, including self-excited & externally excited generators. Externally excited generators provide power to electric trains, elevators and construction cranes/hoists. Self-excited generators provide power to energy-converting windmills. Common types of fuel used to power these four main types of generators include:

  • Gasoline.
  • Diesel/biodiesel/emulsified diesel.
  • Natural gas.
  • Solar power.
  • Propane.

How Different Backup Generators are Utilized

Homeowners and business owners are not the only people who need to purchase a backup generator. Generators are used for a wide variety of purposes, some in backup roles and others as main sources of power. For example, a residential or commercial building needs a generator to back up the building’s main source of power during emergency outages. Construction site contractors/operators need generators to power various equipment where/when normal sources of power are unavailable. Construction sites also utilize generators as backup power sources, however. If a construction site is outdoors on an otherwise empty plot of land (such as when building a new house) generators are often the main sources of power. When a construction crew is working inside a building (such as when installing new floors, walls & ceilings in a new airport terminal), generators are often extra and backup sources of power. Addition utilizations for backup generators include:

  • Carnival rides.
  • Farm equipment.
  • Construction lifts.
  • Forklifts.
  • Log cabins.
  • Off-grid residences.
  • Campers/RVs.
  • Recharging car/heavy machinery batteries.
  • Mining/outdoor night working.
  • Farming equipment.

Price Ranges

Prices ranges for backup generators vary greatly based on type, wattage and brand. While computers only need 60-300 watts of generator power, a common construction site requires a minimum of 8,000 watts to function effectively. Prices for a whole-house generator range between $1,000 and $10,000. Portable generators cost between $400 and $1,000 but smaller portable home generators cost less - between approximately $100 and $400 on average. The installation of your generator costs an additional $400 to $9,500 and a protective canopy costs another $100 to $200 as well.

Best Backup Generators on the Market Today

The best backup generators on the market today offer a combination of effectiveness, endurance and reliability. Prices are set based on size, wattage and addition features such as remote-start capability. The top back up generators for 2021 are: