In South Louisiana, the question isn't whether the power will go out - it's when, and for how long. A generator keeps your home livable through storms and outages. The two main options are standby and portable. Here's how they compare.
Whole-home standby generators
A standby generator is permanently installed beside your home, runs on natural gas or propane, and starts automatically within seconds of an outage through an automatic transfer switch. It can power your whole home - including central AC - for days, with no fuel runs and no extension cords.
- Pros: automatic, powers the whole home, runs on a fuel line, safe and code-compliant, adds resale value.
- Cons: higher upfront cost, professional installation required.
Portable generators
A portable unit is cheaper upfront and can be moved, but it must be started manually, refueled with gasoline, run outdoors well away from the house, and connected safely - ideally through a transfer switch or interlock, never by back-feeding an outlet.
- Pros: lower cost, portable.
- Cons: manual operation, limited capacity, constant refueling, carbon-monoxide risk if misused.
The safety issue that matters most
Most generator tragedies come from carbon-monoxide poisoning and improper back-feeding. A professionally installed transfer switch - standard with standby units, and strongly recommended for portables - keeps your family and utility workers safe.
Bottom line: for hands-off, whole-home protection through hurricane season, a standby generator is the clear winner. For occasional, budget-minded backup, a portable with a proper transfer switch works. CR Electric installs both - see our generator service or call for a free assessment.