Every year around this time, my phone starts ringing with the same question: “Do I actually need a generator, or am I overthinking this?” It usually comes right after a storm knocked the power out for a few hours, or a neighbor just had one installed and now everybody on the block is curious. The summer we have had this year has brought us some rough storms with long power outages for some.

I get it. A generator is not a cheap impulse buy, and there’s a lot of conflicting advice out there. So I want to walk you through this the same way I would if you called our office and asked me directly.

The Short Version

  • The decision usually comes down to three things: convenience, price, and how much of your house you actually need to keep running.
  • Standby generators are the “set it and forget it” option. They run on natural gas or propane, kick on automatically within seconds of an outage, and can power your whole house. Expect $3,500 to $6,000 for the unit itself, with installation adding anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $10,000 or more depending on your setup.
  • Portable generators cost a lot less upfront, usually $400 to $2,700, but they require you to physically set them up, fuel them, and connect them safely. They also put out less power.
  • A power outage puts more at risk than people realize: sump pumps, HVAC systems, refrigerated food and medication, and any medical equipment that depends on electricity.
  • We’ve been doing this work in the Chicagoland area since 2000, and every generator installation we do is backed by our 10 year workmanship warranty and 5 year parts warranty.

“I’ve walked into a lot of Chicagoland basements the morning after a storm, and it’s almost always the same problem: the sump pump stopped the moment the power did.”

Standby vs. Portable: What’s the Right Choice for Your Home?

Are portable generators worth it?

Portable generators make sense for a lot of homeowners, especially if you just need to keep a few essentials running during a short outage.

  • Power and cost: Portable units put out roughly 2,500 to 8,500 watts and typically run $400 to $2,700.
  • How they work: You have to wheel it out of the garage, basement, or shed and start it manually once the power goes out. If you want it to safely power hardwired appliances like a well pump or water heater, it needs to be connected to your electrical panel through a manual transfer switch, and that’s a job for a licensed electrician, not a DIY project.
  • Fuel: Most run on gasoline and burn through 12 to 20 gallons a day. Some dual fuel models also run on propane, which is nice because gasoline can gum up a fuel line if it sits unused for months.
  • The trade off: They’re budget friendly and easy to install, but they’re loud, lower powered, and you have to be home to physically start and refuel them, which is not ideal if the outage happens overnight or while you’re on vacation.

Are standby generators worth the investment?

Standby generators are what most people picture when they think “whole house generator.”

  • Power and cost: These units deliver 8,000 to 22,000 watts. Expect $3,500 to $6,000 for the unit, and installation can add a few thousand dollars up to $10,000 or more depending on your panel, gas line, and site work.
  • How they work: They’re permanently installed outside your home on a concrete pad, under a weatherproof cover. They constantly monitor your utility power, and the moment it drops, the unit fires up on its own and starts powering your house within seconds. No manual setup, no one has to be home.
  • Fuel: They run on liquid propane, using anywhere from 13 to 48 gallons a day, or off a natural gas line, which means they can run indefinitely as long as the gas is flowing.
  • The trade off: It’s a real investment, and it comes with ongoing maintenance, but you get quiet, automatic power that doesn’t depend on you doing anything.

What Actually Puts Your Home at Risk During an Outage

I’ve walked into a lot of Chicagoland basements the morning after a storm, and it’s almost always the same list of problems.

  • Sump pump failure. Most sump pumps run on standard household electricity. The second the power goes out during a heavy rain, that pump stops, and a basement can flood within hours. A standby generator, or at minimum a battery backup sump pump, is the difference between a dry basement and a very expensive Saturday.
  • HVAC shutdowns. Losing heat or air conditioning during severe weather isn’t just uncomfortable. In summer, it’s a real health risk for kids and older adults. In winter, pipes can freeze and burst, which turns into a water damage claim fast.
  • Food and medication spoilage. A closed refrigerator only holds a safe temperature for about 24 hours, and a full freezer for maybe 24 to 36 hours. If you keep refrigerated medication in the house, that clock matters even more.
  • Medical equipment. For anyone relying on an oxygen concentrator, CPAP machine, or similar equipment, continuous power isn’t a convenience, it’s a necessity.
  • Security and connectivity. Home security systems, garage door openers, and Wi-Fi all go down with the power unless there’s backup in place.

What It Really Takes to Own a Standby Generator

A lot of homeowners ask about the sticker price and stop there, but I think it’s worth being upfront about the whole picture.

  • Full project cost and timeline. A complete whole house standby generator install typically runs $10,000 to $15,000 for an average home once you account for the unit, gas or propane line, electrical work, and permitting. From your first call to final install, plan on roughly six to eight weeks.
  • Maintenance. Standby units run a short self-test weekly on their own, but they still need a professional check up twice a year to stay reliable when you actually need them.
  • Battery care. Every standby generator has a starter battery, and like a car battery, it weakens over time. We recommend replacing it every 2 to 3 years so the unit actually starts when the power drops, especially during a sudden cold snap.
  • The upside nobody mentions. A standby generator also protects your home from the power surge that hits when utility power comes back on, which can otherwise damage appliances, HVAC equipment, and anything plugged into your smart home setup. It’s also become a real selling point for homes in this area, where storms and outages aren’t rare.

Generator Safety: The Part I Never Skip

This is the section I care about most, because I’ve seen what happens when it’s ignored.

  • Carbon monoxide is the real danger with portable generators. Newer units have built in CO sensors and automatic shutoff, but you still have to follow the basics. Never run a generator indoors, in a garage even with the door open, in a basement, carport, or shed.
  • Keep distance. Position the generator at least 20 feet from the house, with the exhaust pointed away from windows, doors, and AC vents.
  • CO detectors matter. Make sure you have working, battery powered carbon monoxide detectors inside the home, not just smoke detectors.
  • Never backfeed your panel. Plugging a generator directly into your home’s wiring without a proper transfer switch is illegal and dangerous. It sends power backward into utility lines, which can seriously injure or kill a lineworker trying to restore power in your neighborhood. Every generator connection needs to go through a licensed electrician.
  • Panel and load sizing. Before any installation, we evaluate your electrical panel to confirm it has the capacity and open space needed, and we size the generator to match what your home actually needs. Guessing on this leads to overloaded systems or a generator that can’t handle the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are home generators worth the money? For most homes in this area, yes. If you deal with frequent storms, rely on a sump pump, store food in bulk, or have anyone in the house who depends on medical equipment, the cost of a generator is usually far less than what you’d pay to repair water damage, replace spoiled food, or handle a medical emergency.

How long does a whole house generator last? As long as it has fuel, whether that’s a full propane tank or a connected natural gas line, and it’s been properly maintained, a standby generator can run continuously for days or even weeks during an extended outage.

Can I run a portable generator in my garage if the door is open? No. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, and an open garage or shed can still trap a lethal amount of it, which then seeps into the house. Portable generators need to run outside, away from the home.

What’s the real difference between manual and automatic backup power? A standby generator turns itself on within seconds of an outage through an automatic transfer switch. A portable generator needs you to physically bring it out, fuel it, start it, and connect it through a manual transfer switch.

How often does a standby generator need servicing? Twice a year for professional maintenance, plus weekly self tests the unit runs on its own, and a battery replacement roughly every 2 to 3 years.

How Excel Electrical Technologies Helps Chicagoland Homeowners

We’ve been doing this work since 2000, based out of Orland Park and serving homeowners across Cook, Will, and DuPage Counties. A few things we think are worth knowing before you hire anyone for a generator install:

  1. We’re licensed and insured in Illinois, and the electricians who show up at your door are the same ones doing the actual work, not a subcontractor we’ve never met.
  2. Every job is backed by a 10 year workmanship warranty, a 5 year warranty on parts, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
  3. We give you a clear, upfront, guaranteed quote before any work starts. No surprise line items after the fact.

What happens when you call us

  1. Reach out. Request service online or call us at and you’ll talk to a real person on our team.
  2. On site evaluation. A licensed electrician comes out, inspects your electrical panel, and figures out exactly what size generator your home needs.
  3. Approve your quote. You’ll get a detailed, guaranteed price before we touch anything. No hidden fees.
  4. Installation. We install it cleanly, safely, and fully up to code, backed by our warranties from day one.

If you’ve been on the fence about a generator, especially after the last storm rolled through, give us a call. We’ll come take a look at your setup and tell you honestly what makes sense for your home, whether that’s a portable unit or a full standby system.