Whole House or Just the Essentials Generator Coverage?
Choosing the Right Generator Coverage for Your Home
When the power goes out, having a standby generator can be a lifesaver. But before you buy one, you need to decide what parts of your home you want to keep powered. This decision will affect both the type of generator you need and how much you'll spend.
Understanding Your Options
There are three main approaches to generator coverage, each with different benefits and costs:
1. Full Whole House Coverage
What it means: Every single electrical circuit in your home stays powered during an outage.
How it works: All your home's electrical panels are connected to Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS) that seamlessly switch between utility power and generator power. If you have a standard 200-amp electrical panel, you'll need a 200-amp transfer switch. Homes with multiple electrical panels need a transfer switch for each one.
The reality: Your generator must be large enough to handle every appliance, light, and outlet running at the same time. This often means a large, liquid-cooled generator (20kW-30kW or more).
Real-world example: A homeowner rushed to buy a "Whole House Generator" kit from a big box store for his 3,500 sq ft home. The 12kW generator seemed perfect until our technician arrived and discovered the home had three large air conditioning units and two electrical panels. The generator was severely undersized, and a second transfer switch was needed. The homeowner had to return the generator and invest in a much larger, more expensive system.
Best for: Homeowners who want the convenience of normal electrical usage during outages and have the budget for a larger system.
2. Managed Whole House Coverage
What it means: All circuits are connected, but the generator intelligently manages high-power appliances to prevent overload.
How it works: Load management modules automatically control when power-hungry appliances can run. For example, if your generator is already working hard to run one air conditioner, it might prevent the electric dryer from starting until power demand decreases.
Real-world example: A 3,000 sq ft home with two large air conditioners could use a 20kW air-cooled generator (just over $6,000) instead of a 30kW liquid-cooled unit (around $17,500). The system would ensure only one air conditioner runs at a time, keeping most of the house comfortable while saving over $10,000 in equipment costs.
The trade-offs: You might need to wait to use certain appliances, and some high-power devices might not work simultaneously. But you'll still have power throughout your home for lighting, refrigeration, and essential needs.
Best for: Homeowners who want comprehensive coverage but are willing to accept some limitations to save money.
3. Essential Circuits Only
What it means: Only the most important circuits in your home are connected to the generator.
How it works: An electrician identifies your "must-have" circuits—things like your refrigerator, furnace, some lights, and key outlets—and connects only these to the generator through a transfer switch.
Two common approaches:
- Panel separation: If you have multiple electrical panels, dedicate one panel to essential circuits and connect only that panel to the generator
- Essential sub-panel: Create a new sub-panel specifically for essential circuits, regardless of your current electrical setup. Or--consider the Cummins Integrated Load Center and Switch.
Best for: Budget-conscious homeowners who want to keep critical systems running without paying for full-house coverage.
Making the Right Choice
Consider Your Priorities
- Comfort vs. Cost: Full coverage costs more but maintains your normal lifestyle
- Outage Duration: Are you preparing for occasional short outages or extended power emergencies?
- Critical Needs: What absolutely must stay powered in your home?
Key Questions to Ask Yourself
- How often do we lose power, and for how long?
- What appliances and systems are truly essential?
- Can we adjust our usage during outages to save money?
- What's our realistic budget for this investment?
Understanding Power Consumption
Your air conditioning system typically uses the most electricity in your home. Other high-consumption appliances include:
- Electric ranges and ovens
- Clothes dryers
- Electric water heaters
- Electric heating systems
Lights and standard outlets use much less power and are easier to accommodate.
Important Installation Considerations
Work with Qualified Professionals
Choose an electrician or generator installer who:
- Has extensive experience with standby generators
- Is an authorized dealer for your chosen generator brand
- Can provide ongoing service and warranty support
- Will properly calculate your electrical loads and size your system
Avoid Common Mistakes
- Don't assume "Whole House Generator" on the box means it's right for your home
- Always have a professional assess your electrical panel configuration
- Ensure proper generator sizing based on actual load calculations
- Plan for all electrical panels in your home, not just the main one
Buckeye Power Systems recommendation for:
- Just the Essentials: Cummins RS20AC Kit with ATS and built-in load management
- Whole House Coverage: This could vary widely depending on your home's square footage. Call a Buckeye generator expert at 901-379-8097.
The Bottom Line
The right generator coverage depends on your specific needs, budget, and home configuration. While full whole house coverage offers maximum convenience, managed systems and essential-only coverage can provide excellent protection at a fraction of the cost.
Take time to honestly assess your needs, get professional guidance, and choose a system that fits both your lifestyle and budget. Remember, any generator coverage is better than none when the lights go out.