Where to buy generators

With winter storms on the horizon, a generator can be a great investment for homeowners. In order to prepare for the impending winter months, now is a great time to purchase one—especially this year, given shipping delays to the coronavirus pandemic. If you're worried about losing power during any future storms, a generator is certainly worth its price, as not having electricity when it's cold outside is particularly painful.

The most common home generators are the standby and portable varieties, and each comes with its own pros and cons. Added convenience when you need it most. Perhaps a better question is where can't you buy a Generac portable generator. You'll find Generac portables at most home centers, many major retailers, e-commerce merchants, or one of our more than independent dealers across the United States. Our website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience.

To read more about the cookies we use, see our privacy policy. The Power to Live. For something a bit more portable, consider this generator from Honda, which offers 1, watts of running power and 2, watts of starting power.

Just put the generator outside, plug an extension cord into one of its three-prong outlets, and run the cord inside to your equipment. Those are just a few selections — you can find options from the same brands in lower or higher wattages, if you need, with prices that'll match. While Buckley notes most of these are pretty user-friendly, he stresses the significance of proper safety precautions. Home standby generators, like this Generac model, are designed to be a more semi-permanent installation.

Finally, if all that seems too involved and you just want something that can keep your laptop powered while you travel, a portable power station is much lower maintenance — albeit less versatile. Download the NBC News app for full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. More brands than ever offer models with this technology, including heavyweights such as Generac, Honda, and Ryobi. In fact, we have over a dozen generators in our ratings with a CO safety shutoff.

Low-CO Engine An additional safety feature that brands such as Ryobi and Echo are using to guard against risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. Automatic Start When the power goes off, the generator goes on—without you lifting a finger.

Electric Start Several portable models offer this push-button alternative to the hassle of pull-starting the engine. Stationary models have automatic starting. Alternative Fuel Capacity Most portable models run only on gasoline, though some come equipped to run on a propane tank or natural-gas line and others can be converted with kits. Fuel Gauge Especially during long blackouts, you may appreciate the ability to see at a glance how much fuel remains in your portable generator.

Low-Oil Shutoff If oil falls below minimum levels, the generator shuts down to prevent engine damage. See the next section on transfer switches.

Removable Console This connects to the generator so that you can plug in appliances without running potentially risky extension cords outdoors. The short answer: It safely connects a home standby or portable generator to your circuit panel via one cable.

And a transfer switch is infinitely more convenient. With a transfer switch, you can power entire circuits in your home with no extension cords. With a stationary model, the transfer switch turns on automatically.

Be sure to have your electrician walk you through the procedure. One tip that will make prioritizing easier is to determine which outlets and appliances are controlled by each circuit breaker in your panel, and label them accordingly. That way, you can make sure the electrician connects the circuits for all your essentials.

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