BackupPowerPlain explains home backup generators in plain numbers: how big a generator your house needs, what it really costs installed, how much fuel it burns and how to keep it running safely. It is written for U.S. homeowners who have just been through a long outage, or who want to be ready before the next hurricane or ice storm.
Why this site exists
Most generator information online comes from dealers and manufacturers who want to sell you a bigger unit, or from generic lists that never show the math. Power outages are also getting longer: in 2024 the average U.S. electricity customer spent about 11 hours without power, nearly double the average of the previous decade, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. We want homeowners to walk into a quote with their own numbers.
How we research and write
- Primary sources first. Manufacturer spec sheets and installation manuals, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the EIA, the Department of Energy and local permit offices.
- We show the math. Sizing and fuel figures come with worked examples, so you can redo them for your own house.
- Real-world price ranges. Installed costs are ranges drawn from published cost data and retailer prices, and we say where they come from.
- Dated and updated. Every guide shows when it was last verified. Prices are reviewed every spring, before hurricane season.
- Safety is not optional. We never describe shortcuts such as backfeeding, and we tell you when a job needs a licensed electrician.
Who is behind it
BackupPowerPlain is an independent project run by Kevin Garcia de Paz. It is not owned by any generator manufacturer, dealer or installer.
How the site is funded
Reading is free. The site earns money from ads and from affiliate links (including Amazon Associates). No brand pays to be recommended. Details in our Affiliate Disclosure.
Found an error?
Generators, prices and codes change. If something looks wrong or out of date, please contact us and we will check it and correct it.