A standby generator might be a great idea for your home, but consider these need-to-know facts about installing one first.

Put away the candles and flashlights: A generator can keep your home running during a power outage. This article details whole house generator cost.

Whole-house generators cost more than portables. They can range in price from $2,000 to $7,000. By comparison, large portable generators that power a whole house start at around $1,000.

Portable models also tend to be noisier and produce less power than whole-house models, but they’re also much cheaper to buy and install than a whole-house generator, which is installed permanently.

No matter what size whole-house generator you select (generation capacity is measured in kilowatts), it is best to also install an automatic transfer switch (ATS).

Whole home generators typically use three main fuel options: natural gas, propane and diesel. Each fuel type has its own set of benefits and downsides.