Portable Generators vs. Whole Home Generators: Which Should I Choose?

Whole Home Generators:

A whole home generator is a permanent power source that’s installed outside your home and connected to your electrical system. Whole home generators run on natural gas or propane and are designed to provide reliable, long-term power to your home during a power outage.

Benefits of Whole Home Generators:

• Reliability: Whole home generators are designed to provide long-term, reliable power to your home during power outages.
• Convenience: Whole home generators are automated and will automatically turn on when the power goes out, so you don’t have to worry about setting them up or starting them yourself.
• Peace of Mind: With a whole home generator, you don’t have to worry about losing power in the middle of a storm or power outage. Everything in your home can stay powered.

Common uses for Whole Home Generators:

• Power outages: Whole home generators are designed to provide long-term, reliable power to your home during power outages. Whole home generators can power everything from appliances to HVAC keeping all systems in your home running smoothly.
• Medical equipment: If you or someone in your home relies on medical equipment that requires electricity, a whole home generator can ensure that this equipment stays powered during a power outage.
• Rental or Airbnb homes: Whole home generators can provide a permanent power source to your properties even if the homeowner isn’t there.

Portable Home Generators:

A portable home generator is a compact, gas- or propane-powered unit that provides temporary electricity during a power outage. Designed to be mobile and easy to operate, portable generators are a practical solution for keeping your lights on, your refrigerator running, and your devices charged when the grid goes down.

These generators come in a range of power capacities—measured in watts—so whether you need to run just a few essentials or power multiple appliances, there’s a model that fits your needs.

What Can a Portable Generator Power?

Depending on the size, a portable generator can power: Refrigerators and freezers, Lights and Fans, Cell phone chargers and small electronics, sump pumps, TVs, small appliances, electric cooktops or microwaves.

Larger portable generators can even support multiple circuits in your home when properly connected, helping you maintain comfort and safety during extended outages.

Benefits of Owning a Portable Generator

• Mobility: Lightweight and mounted on wheels, portable generators can be moved where you need them—whether it’s your backyard, job site, or campsite.
• Affordability: Compared to standby (whole-home) generators, portable models are a cost-effective way to maintain essential power without a major investment.
• Flexibility: With a variety of sizes and wattages, you can choose a generator that fits your specific power needs, whether it’s a small unit for the essentials or a larger model for home backup.

Paschal can pair your Portable Generator with a Manual Transfer Switch 

While it’s possible to run extension cords from your generator to individual appliances, a manual transfer switch offers a much safer, more efficient solution.

This device is professionally installed and allows your portable generator to connect directly to your home’s electrical panel. With a simple flip of a switch, you can safely redirect power from the generator to selected circuits in your home—eliminating the need for multiple cords and reducing the risk of overload or back feeding.

Benefits of a Manual Transfer Switch:

• Convenience: Power multiple circuits at once—including hardwired systems like furnaces or sump pumps.
• Safety: Prevents backfeeding, which can endanger utility workers and your home.
• Efficiency: Quickly switches power sources without fumbling with cords in the dark or rain.

Pricing Differences Between Portable Generators and Whole Home Generators

The total price of a generator installation depends on several factors like the size of the home, how the utilities are set up, and the homeowner’s power needs. We work with our customers to give options rather than a one-size-fits-all price.

Portable generators are typically less expensive than whole home generators, and pricing can vary based on how much power KW you expect the generator to handle. Where a portable generator may make sense if you only expect it to maintain a refrigerator or freezer a whole home generator can be customized for the specific breakers or appliances that you want to control.

Choosing Between a Whole Home & Portable Generator

Both portable generators and whole home generators have their own unique benefits, but for homeowners that care about preventing power outages, a whole home generator is the clear winner. With reliability, convenience, and peace of mind, a whole home generator is the best choice for those who want a permanent, long-term power source for their homes. While the initial cost may be higher, the benefits of having a whole home generator far outweigh the cost, and will provide you with the security and comfort you need during power outages.

Investing in a whole home generator may seem like a big expense, but it’s important to consider the peace of mind it provides and the benefits it offers in the long run. With a whole home generator, you won’t have to worry about losing power in the middle of a storm, and you’ll be able to keep your essential appliances, medical devices and work-from-home setups running during power outages. Not sure what’s the right size for your needs or simply want to figure out how much you can run by appliance size?

✅ Quick Generator Comparison – Which One Fits Your Needs?

If you want quick portability and lower cost, a portable generator may be your pick. If you want seamless, automatic backup for your entire home, a whole home generator is the way to go.

Portable Generator

• I only need to power a few essentials (fridge, lights, phone chargers)
• I prefer a lower upfront cost
• I’m comfortable manually starting the generator
• I have space outdoors to place it 20+ feet from windows/doors
• I’m okay with refueling during outages (gasoline or propane)
• I want to be able to use it for camping or events
• I plan to have Paschal install a manual transfer switch for safer, easier connection to my home

Whole Home Generator

• I want my entire home to stay powered automatically during outages
• I’m okay with a higher initial investment for convenience and peace of mind
• I want a generator that runs on natural gas or propane from a fixed line
• I want automatic weekly self-tests and minimal manual maintenance
• I prefer permanent installation by a licensed professional
• I want long-term backup power for extended outages

Generator Setup & Safety – Trust the Professionals

Having a licensed professional install your portable generator with a manual transfer switch—or a whole home generator—is crucial for both safety and performance. Improper installation can lead to serious hazards like electrical fires, backfeeding into utility lines, or carbon monoxide exposure. A licensed technician ensures your generator is correctly sized, safely connected to your electrical system, and compliant with local codes and utility requirements. Whether it’s a manual transfer switch or a fully automated whole home unit, professional installation gives you peace of mind that your backup power system will work reliably when you need it most.

Safety tips for Portable Generators

• Store fuel safely and in approved containers
• Operate at least 20 feet from your home, away from windows/vents
• Never use indoors or in a garage—even with doors open
• Use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords
• Install a manual transfer switch to safely connect to home circuits
• Shut down and cool before refueling to prevent fire risk

Safety tips for Whole Home Generators

• Hire a licensed electrician or installer for setup
• Ensure connection to a dedicated fuel source (natural gas or propane)
• Schedule routine maintenance and inspections
• Test it periodically (many units do this automatically)
• Keep clearance around unit free of obstructions
• Review your homeowner’s insurance for coverage details

Still need help deciding? When it comes to making the decision, it’s time to call our professional team at Paschal Air, Plumbing & Electric for a free estimate and consultation. Getting in contact is easy! Simply tap that schedule service button on our site to set up your FREE generator consultation.