Q: Last year, we endured a power outage that lasted for days. After that experience, we decided to buy a generator, but we’re just not sure what to buy. How big of a generator do I need to power my ...

Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site. The typical American household loses power once or twice a year for an average of about 3 hours, according to the U.S.

Cleary advises homeowners to think about generator capacity in two ways: essential coverage and whole-home coverage. Essential coverage powers only key circuits, such as heating, lighting, and ...

Start by making a list of the devices and appliances you need to power and add up the number of watts it takes to run them. Consider the fuel options to generate backup power, whether it's gas or ...

CR's experts help you select the right type and size of generator to keep the electricity flowing, whether you have frequent power outages or none at all To determine the size generator you need, we ...

So, you’ve decided to buy a generator. Generators are a fantastic way to ensure power during blackouts and help to provide power to places where electrical service is not an option. If you’re doing a ...