From unexpected summer thunderstorms to aging power grids, power outages have become more common, and more disruptive — for homeowners across the country. Whether you’re dealing with brief blackouts or multi-day outages, the question many people are asking is: Is it finally time to invest in a backup generator?
Let’s break down what a backup generator does, what it costs, and whether it makes sense for your home. A reliable generator can keep your lights on, your fridge cold, and your family safe during emergencies, offering peace of mind when the grid goes down.
What Is a Backup Generator?
A backup (or standby) generator is a permanent system installed outside your home, similar to a central air conditioner. Unlike portable models, these units are connected directly to your home’s electrical system and start automatically when the power goes out.
Most systems run on natural gas or propane and can keep essential appliances — or even your entire home, powered during an outage.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, these systems are especially beneficial for homes that rely on electric heating, sump pumps, or medical equipment, and are considered a smart investment for emergency preparedness.
Why More Homeowners Are Installing Them
The rise in home generator installations isn’t just a trend, it’s a response to real challenges facing today’s homeowners:
- Increasing Outages: Storms, aging infrastructure, and overloaded power grids are causing longer, more frequent blackouts across the country, even in areas that rarely experienced them before. These disruptions can leave families without power for hours or even days.
- Remote Work Needs: With more people working from home, full-time or part-time, reliable electricity is no longer a luxury. A sudden outage can cut off internet access, disrupt virtual meetings, and halt productivity, making a generator a smart investment for work-from-home households.
- Health and Safety: For families who rely on medical devices, refrigerated medications, or private well systems, power isn’t just about comfort, it’s a matter of health and safety. A backup generator ensures that life-saving equipment continues to function, even during extended outages.
- Comfort and Protection: Generators help protect your home and daily routines. Keep the lights on, your HVAC running, your fridge cold, your sump pump working, and your internet connected. You won’t have to worry about spoiled food, frozen pipes, or the stress of total darkness.
- Peace of Mind Year-Round: Whether it’s summer storms, hurricane season, or winter ice, a backup generator gives you the confidence that your home is prepared — no matter what the weather throws your way.
In fact, FEMA encourages homeowners to consider generators as part of their long-term disaster resilience strategy — especially in areas prone to hurricanes or snowstorms.
What’s the Cost?
Installing a standby generator typically costs between $7,000 and $15,000, depending on:
- Power capacity
- Fuel source (natural gas or propane)
- Installation complexity
- Whether an electrical panel upgrade is needed
While it’s a significant investment, it’s one that many homeowners view as worthwhile — especially when you consider the costs of spoiled food, burst pipes, hotel stays, or lost productivity during a major outage.
Does It Make Sense for Your Home?
You might want to seriously consider a backup generator if:
- You’ve lost power multiple times in the last year
- You live in an area with extreme weather or above-ground power lines
- Your water source relies on an electric well pump
- You or a family member use medical equipment that requires electricity
- You work from home and need consistent internet and power
Even in suburban neighborhoods, more and more homeowners are making the switch to ensure peace of mind and home safety.
Why You Need a Licensed Electrician for the Job
Installing a generator isn’t a DIY project — it requires electrical expertise, permitting, and safe integration with your home’s power system.
If you’re in Maryland and looking for a reliable electrician near Crofton MD, Deshaies Electrical specializes in whole-home generator systems. Their licensed team can assess your home’s power needs, recommend the right generator, and handle the full installation from start to finish.
You can also explore options for generator installation near Crofton if you want to learn more about what’s involved or get a quote from a trusted local expert.
Conclusion
From keeping your HVAC running to powering lights, refrigerators, and internet, a standby generator helps you avoid costly disruptions and stress. It turns on automatically during an outage, providing instant, reliable backup power, no scrambling, no waiting. For families with kids, remote work, or medical needs, that kind of peace of mind is more than a luxury, it’s a necessity.
Tommy Hardy, an alumnus of the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, has been a go-to figure in residential upkeep and innovation for over 18 years. His career commenced in a leading home appliance manufacturing company, where he mastered the intricacies of household systems. Joining our platform in 2020, Tommy quickly became a reader favorite for his practical and easy-to-follow guides. He took the helm of our DIY section in 2019, consistently delivering content that empowers homeowners. Beyond his professional pursuits, Tommy is a passionate gardener and enjoys woodworking, skills enhancing his hands-on approach to home care.
