Generator Guides
Our complete library of generator buying, sizing, safety, and installation guides. Every guide is written by a licensed master electrician or certified technician and updated regularly to reflect current products and safety standards.
Buying Guides
What Size Generator Do I Need?
Step-by-step sizing guide with calculator. Calculate running and starting watts for your appliances.
Read guide →Generator Carbon Monoxide Safety
The 20-foot rule, CO shutoff sensors, symptoms of CO poisoning, and a complete safety checklist.
Read guide →How Far Should a Generator Be From the House?
Placement clearance requirements for portable and standby generators, exhaust direction, and wind.
Read guide →Transfer Switch Guide: Manual vs Interlock vs Automatic
Compare transfer switch types by cost, installation, and safety. NEC requirements and permits.
Read guide →Portable vs Standby vs Solar: Which Should I Buy?
Side-by-side comparison of generator types by cost, runtime, safety, and use case.
Read guide →Safety & Installation
Can You Run a Generator in the Rain?
Wet-weather generator safety, proper covers, and why tarps are dangerous.
Read guide →How Long Can a Generator Run Continuously?
Runtime limits for portable and standby generators, oil change intervals, and fuel consumption.
Read guide →How to Break In a New Generator
Step-by-step break-in procedure to seat piston rings and extend engine life.
Read guide →How to Ground a Portable Generator
NEC grounding requirements, ground rod specs, and when GFCI outlets make external grounding unnecessary.
Read guide →Generator Maintenance Schedule and Checklist
Oil changes, spark plugs, air filters, and a printable maintenance schedule by interval.
Read guide →Maintenance & Sizing
How to Store a Generator for Winter
Fuel stabilizer vs draining, battery care, and spring startup tips.
Read guide →Generator Fuel Stabilizer: Do You Need It?
When to use fuel stabilizer, how much to add, and what happens if you skip it.
Read guide →What Size Generator to Run a Refrigerator?
Refrigerator wattage, minimum generator size, and solar generator options.
Read guide →How Many Watts Does a House Use?
Appliance wattage table and guide to sizing your generator by home demand.
Read guide →