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Choosing the Right Generator for Your Home: A Guide to Powering Peace of Mind

Generator and house

Unexpected power outages can disrupt daily routines, jeopardize safety, and cause costly damage to homes. Whether it’s a winter storm, equipment failure, or a strained electrical grid, being without power is more than just inconvenient—it can impact your comfort and well-being.

That’s why having a backup generator isn’t just a luxury anymore—it’s a necessity.

At Home Power Systems, we believe that true peace of mind comes from knowing your home or business will stay powered no matter what. Our mission is to deliver reliable, tailored power solutions that keep families safe, businesses running, and lives uninterrupted.

If you’re considering a generator for your home, this guide will walk you through the essential decisions to make sure your investment delivers dependable energy security when you need it most.

Step 1: Define Your Power Priorities

Before selecting a generator, think about what you'd need in the event of an extended power outage. Do you want to keep just the essentials running, or are you looking to maintain full functionality across your home?

Partial Home Backup

For homeowners who want to power key systems—like the refrigerator, lights, sump pump, Wi-Fi, and essential outlets—a smaller generator may suffice. This approach is budget-friendly and works well for shorter outages or less extreme weather events.

Whole-Home Coverage

If you want uninterrupted power for your HVAC, water heater, kitchen appliances, and home office tech, a whole-house generator is the better option. These systems are permanently installed and activate automatically when the power goes out.

Expert Tip: Our team provides customized consultations to help you identify your essential loads, so we can recommend the generator size and setup that meets your exact needs.

Step 2: Understand Fuel Options

One of the key decisions when choosing a generator is selecting the fuel source that best suits your property and lifestyle. The three most common options are:

Natural Gas

Connected directly to your home's gas supply, these generators offer a constant fuel source and minimal maintenance.

Advantages:

  • No need to refuel manually
  • Cleaner burning with fewer emissions
  • Ideal for long outages

Propane

Great for homes without access to natural gas, propane generators rely on an onsite fuel tank and offer clean, efficient power.

Advantages:

  • Long shelf life
  • Cleaner emissions than diesel
  • Flexible installation options

Diesel

Diesel generators are known for their high efficiency and durability, often used in commercial or rural residential settings.

Advantages:

  • Efficient for high demand loads
  • Reliable in cold weather
  • Lower fuel consumption under load

Home Power Insight: We assess your site conditions, fuel availability, and preferences to match you with the most reliable, cost-effective solution.

Step 3: Size Matters—Choosing the Right Capacity

Generators come in a wide range of sizes and choosing the wrong one can lead to performance issues or unnecessary costs.

What to Consider:

  • Running wattage – the power your appliances need to operate continuously
  • Surge wattage – the additional wattage needed at startup for appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators

Here’s a quick reference:

  • Essentials only (lights, fridge, Wi-Fi): 5,000–7,500 watts
  • Partial coverage (plus sump pump, furnace fan, small AC unit): 8,000–12,000 watts
  • Whole-home (HVAC, kitchen, multiple appliances): 12,000–22,000+ watts

Our experts perform load calculations for every home to ensure optimal performance and energy efficiency—no overpaying, no underpowering.

Step 4: Professional Installation Is Key

Installing a backup generator involves more than just placing a unit in your yard. It requires careful planning, code compliance, and safe integration with your electrical system.

What Our Installation Process Includes:

  • Property assessment and load analysis
  • Permits and code compliance
  • Generator pad and unit setup
  • Transfer switch installation
  • System testing and customer walkthrough

With Home Power Systems, your installation is handled by certified professionals with deep experience in residential and commercial power systems. We ensure your generator is properly sized, installed, and ready for action.

Step 5: Prepare for Ongoing Support

Even the best generator needs routine care to stay in peak condition. Regular maintenance keeps your system ready to run and helps prevent issues before they arise.

We offer ongoing support and 24/7 emergency service, so you're never left waiting in the dark. Our maintenance plans include:

  • Oil and filter changes
  • Battery inspections
  • Software updates
  • System testing

We’re here to provide reliable energy security—not just at installation, but every day after.

Why More Homeowners Are Investing in Standby Generators

The modern home relies on power for everything—from climate control and food storage to medical equipment and communication. When the grid goes down, standby generators step in automatically to restore comfort and safety.

Key Benefits:

  • Seamless transition during outages
  • Prevents frozen pipes, food spoilage, and sump pump failures
  • Supports remote work and home schooling
  • Protects homes with medical or mobility equipment

Our customers choose Home Power Systems because we offer more than a product—we deliver peace of mind. Each system is designed for reliability and built to perform when it matters most.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to install a generator?

Costs vary based on the size of the generator, fuel type, and installation requirements. Most homeowners can expect a range of $6,000–$15,000. We provide clear, upfront estimates with no surprises.

How long will a generator run?

  • Natural gas units can run as long as utility service is available.
  • Propane and diesel generators typically run 24–72 hours on a full tank, depending on fuel supply and load.

Can I power my entire house with a generator?

Yes, with the right size and configuration, you can achieve full-home coverage. We’ll help design a system that meets your home’s electrical demands.

How often does a generator need maintenance?

Most systems require annual service or every 100–200 hours of use. Maintenance includes oil changes, inspection, battery testing, and more.

Is a portable generator a good alternative?

Portable units can be useful in limited situations, but they require manual setup, are less efficient, and pose safety risks. Standby generators offer automatic operation, greater reliability, and longer runtime.

Powering Peace of Mind—One Installation at a Time

At Home Power Systems, we understand that when the power goes out, uncertainty sets in. That’s why we focus on delivering customized solutions, expert installation, and round-the-clock support to ensure our customers never feel left in the dark.

Why Choose Home Power Systems?

  • Reliable Energy Security – Keep your home or business running through any outage
  • Expert Installation & Support – From consultation to long-term maintenance, we’ve got you covered
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance – Help is always just a call away
  • Customized Solutions – Every system is tailored to fit your home’s unique needs
  • "Generating Peace of Mind" – It’s not just a tagline, it’s our commitment

When you're ready to invest in a smarter, safer future, we’re here to help. Schedule your free consultation today and take the first step toward power security and peace of mind.

 

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What makes us stand out

Why Choose Home Power Systems

The Best Professionals

Our team consists of highly skilled professionals, ensuring top-quality service every time. Trust the experts to handle your generator with precision and care.

Guarantee of Work Performed

We stand by our work with a solid guarantee, giving you peace of mind that your generator is in reliable hands. You can count on us for dependable, lasting results.

Safe & Reliable

Safety and reliability are our top priorities, ensuring that your generator operates smoothly and efficiently without any risks. Rest easy knowing that your system is in good, trustworthy hands.

100% Customer Satisfaction

Your satisfaction is our goal. We’re committed to delivering exceptional service, and we won’t rest until you’re completely satisfied with the results.

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Client Testimonials

What Customers 
Say About Us

On the hottest day yet in recorded history, on the morning after the Independence Day holiday, the team of Jeff, Wayne, Steve and Isaac appeared before 8:00, ready to go to work. The coordination and efficiency on display over the next few hours brought to mind a military exercise. And they did this in a very customer friendly manner. The completed installation is beautiful, they left their work areas immaculate, and shrubs in the installation area were gently treated. I also want to acknowledge our salesman, Jeff, who worked hard to secure our business. I am so glad we decided to go with HPS...

Tracy Kern

Home Power Systems installed two generators to my rural 51 acre farm property. I am extremely pleased with the professionalism and expertise of all of their employees. Shawn is an expert in his field and helped us select the best generator types for our farm and home needs. He explained the process and our install date was scheduled immediately. Shawn maintained excellent communication with us throughout the install process. The professionals on site for install included the expert installer and electricians. Specifically, Joe, Jeff, Tom, and Chris worked diligently on our install date with excellent outcomes...

Jennifer Hayes

Where we work

Our Service Areas

We proudly serve clients across Upstate New York, including:

  • Buffalo
  • Rochester
  • Syracuse
  • Southern Tier

Regardless of where you’re located in Upstate New York, we're here to meet your power needs.

Explore our service areas

Need more information? Contact Us Today!

Showroom Hours

Our Locations

Buffalo

505 Duke Rd., Suite 200 
Buffalo, NY 14225
(716) 395-3705

Showroom Hours

Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm 
Sat - Sun Closed

Rochester / FLX / Southern Tier

1127 Corporate Drive East 
Farmington, NY 14425
(585) 421-0203

Showroom Hours

Mon - Fri 8:00am - 6:30pm 
Sat - Sun Closed

Syracuse

6067 Corporate Drive 
East Syracuse, NY 13057
(315) 234-2451

Showroom Hours

Mon - Fri 8:00am - 5:00pm 
Sat - Sun Closed