Generators: Whole-House vs. Portable – Which is Right for Your Home?

It’s a wonderful luxury to have a generator available on your Greensboro property. When the power goes out after a storm, you won’t be stuck in the dark if you have a generator that can be fired up at a moment’s notice.

As you shop for a generator, you’ll quickly notice that there are two main types on the market today – whole-house generators and portable generators. This page will break down the differences and help you make the right choice for your needs.

If you decide to go ahead with whole house generator installation, the team at Berico is the right partner for the job. Call today to schedule your appointment or get more information.

Why Portable Generators Fall Short

While portable generators may seem like a convenient and affordable option, it’s important to understand their limitations, especially when compared to a whole-house generator. Portable generators run on gas and must be manually started. They are not designed to power an entire house. Instead, they can only handle a few select appliances at a time, often requiring extension cords to connect them. This limited capacity means you may have to choose between keeping your refrigerator running or powering a few lights, but not both.

On the other hand, a whole-house generator offers a permanent and reliable solution. It’s installed by professionals, connects directly to your home’s electrical system, and runs on a continuous fuel supply like natural gas or propane. Most importantly, a whole-house generator automatically turns on the moment it detects a power outage, so you don’t have to do anything. It can power your entire home—including your HVAC system, lights, and appliances—allowing you to continue your daily life without interruption.

Whole-House Generators Have So Much More to Offer

There is a use case for a portable generator. But they should not be mistaken as a replacement for a whole-house generator. These two things are simply not the same. A portable model can keep a couple of things running for a while in an emergency. A whole-house generator can keep your entire home running indefinitely.

Yes, there is a larger upfront expense with a whole-house model. But those costs can be seen as an investment in your home. You’ll be adding something that is going to serve you well and stand the test of time for years to come. Anytime the weather turns ugly, or when the power goes out for seemingly no reason at all, you’ll always have a backup option in place. And, you won’t even have to lift a finger – the generator senses the loss of power and just jumps into action.

Berico is Ready to Serve You

Have you decided that adding a Generac generator to your property is the right upgrade for your needs? That’s a great choice, and Berico is ready to get started on the project. Generac is one of the leading generator companies, and you’ll be left with a reliable system that can jump into action anytime the grid is down. Start now to be ready for the next storm!