My Generator Recommends: Top Home Backup Generators

SOS Survival Products says:

12 April 2022

Thanks for sharing your recommendations! It's great that you provided recommendations for each type. You mentioned that the Briggs & Stratton 4500W Inverter Generator is a quiet generator perfect for your home. Could you also share a quiet unit that you can bring when camping?

Dereck Martin says:

3 May 2020

Something bigger, that’s capable of keeping the lights on, fans running and small appliances going to make life a little less miserable if the power goes out. Wen has a pretty compelling option that can run up to 7 hours

anthony says:

4 April 2018

hi we have regular power outages, rural qld. currently running an older honda 3kva petrol genset when we need to. It seems to run fridge, freezer, tv, ceiling fans, and large split system aircon just fine although probably at or close to its capacity my concern is the tv and laptop as this gen has no AVR and certainly not producing 'clean' power the yamaha EF6300ISE (6300) gen looks great, and will probably run all 3 split systems comfortably if need be. my question is, given the old generator has never damaged anything electronically (no AVR).. do u think it is safe to assume the Yamaha gen above which has AVR is a safe option. I like the impressive watt output un timeprice (2k is about my budget) thanks anthony

My Generator Response
Hi Anthony, Thanks for reaching out. It's good to see your old Honda powered generator has been serving you well. It might be easiest for me to list three examples of generators and their different power outputs in terms "clean" Power. 1. Genelite Honda 6kVA Generator - Conventional, honda powered with a non avr alternator. Voltage fluctuation = /- 5% Still useful for home back up Small fuel tank Pull start I would recommend the following model for your price range 2. Yamaha 6000w Petrol AVR Generator EF7200E - AVR controlled generator. Voltage fluctuation = /- 3% Great for home back up Long range fuel Electric start Economy idle mode 3. Yamaha 6300w Inverter Generator EF6300iSE . Pure sine wave power. Cleanest power possible Long range fuel tank Electric start Silenced Fee free to contact us on 1300 400 122 if you have any other questions regards Paul

Alan Johnston says:

22 January 2018

I wish to buy a generator for power outages as we are on a rural property that relies on power for water. I have looked at the Supa Swift 3600 inverter and the Yamaha EF 2800 inverter. I have an external plug wired into our switchboard which will work on the phase that carries the pump and the refrigerator. I have been told to be aware of the dangers of 'centre tapped' generators when wired into a house like this. Can you tell me what you know about this warning? Can you explain why you rate the Yamaha above the Supa Swift given that it is rated at 2800 and the Supa Swift 3600?

My Generator Response
Hi Alan, thank you for your questions. Firstly, we would recommend the Yamaha EF2800 above the SupaSwift 3600 model because Yamaha are premium brand, built to handle more regular use and come with a longer, 4 year warranty. The SupaSwift is a cheaper budget brand designed for only light / recreational use. Using the Yamaha EF2800 for small home backup requirements via a manual transfer switch as you have described is a very common application for this model of generator. In fact, you can watch this short video of a customer here using the generator for this exact purpose: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=573XoF0ZPP4 These portable generators don’t have a centre tap. In terms of correct installation and signing off on the proper install, you need to ensure this is undertaken correctly by your electrician. Again, the video above highlights the importance of a qualified electrician undertaking the install into your switchboard. Many thanks.

bestgeneratorsview says:

12 January 2018

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Lindsay Bayley says:

23 November 2017

Thank you for your response. I am already discussing with the qualified electrician as it's not a minor project. Lindsay

Lindsay Bayley says:

18 November 2017

Looking at installing a generator in a small-ish 700ms suburban house, to power fridge, freezer and lights for up to 5 days, which is the longest outage we have had here in the last decade. Wondering, diesel for safer fuel storage, or petrol, and what range of size in terms of generator output? Budget limit is about $7,000 for the whole project. Regards

My Generator Response
Hi Lindsay, thank you for your question. Given you are planning for a situation whereby you may need backup power continuously for up to 5 days, then I would suggest you consider a diesel powered generator. There are some good petrol powered residential back up generators (which are cheaper than diesel models), but petrol gensets are more suited for shorter term applications... a diesel engine does not have to work as hard to produce the same power as a petrol engine. From your description of your house and your appliances, then I would suggest a generator size in the range of 5 to 8kVA would be suitable. The two most popular diesel models in this size to run a home are: - Pramac 6kVA AVR Silenced Diesel Generator - Kubota 6kva Silenced Lowboy Diesel Generator Both of these models come supplied with an Automatic Mains Failure (AMF) Panel. This AMF detects when there is a mains power failure, and signals to the generator to automatically start up to restore power to your home. Conversely, as soon as the AMF detects mains power returns, it stops the generator. A qualified electrician is required to undertake the install and connection. Another option worth pointing out is a gas powered home backup generator: these generators can run from mains gas or bottled LPG gas. A popular gas model is the Honeywell 8kva Gas Stand By Generator. These are also auto start and a qualified electrician and gas plumber is required for installation. If you would like to discuss more options or require more information generally, please feel free to give us a call on 130 400 122. Thank you.

David Evans says:

4 November 2017

Thanks for the recommendations. Often customers are prejudiced towards Briggs generators, but is there really that much difference from one brand to another? http://www.canadianpowersystems.com

Arthur says:

16 October 2017

Hi, We are going to move to an off-grid area where solar panels are used. I am thinking of installing a range-hood for the kitchen and a ducted air condition system (a normal 3 bed home) which is only for really hot days in the summer, and floor heating for bathrooms only. To support ducted air-con (summer) and floor heating (winter), what option is best for us? together with adding more solar panels? Thx!

My Generator Response
Hi Arthur, in an off-grid situation, your solar company will size and install a battery system that will run your home and required appliances. They will also advise what sized backup generator is required to charge your batteries when solar power is not quite meeting demand. The most common type of generator to back up off-grid solar systems is an Auto Start Generator - this type of generator has two wire auto start capability that will detect when the batteries in your solar system drop too low on charge and then automatically start up to re-charge the batteries. Many thanks

Jeff says:

10 September 2017

I am looking for a back up generator, minimum 3000w to run fridge, some lights, possibly three ceiling fans, and other appliances, which will be used selectively. Can you advise me on the best options. Must have large fuel tank.

My Generator Response
Hi Jeff, great question. I would recommend you opt for an inverter generator, as these are quiet, fuel efficient, and produce clean power suitable to run electronic appliances. For your home backup application at around the 3000 watt mark, the most popular models are listed below. These will comfortably run your described appliances and have generous fuel tank sizes for extended run time. - Yamaha EF2800iS - Briggs & Stratton P3000i - Yamaha EF3000iSE

Ken Meaney says:

27 July 2017

Hi My wife and I are interested in a back up generator for our free standing home in Canberra . We have seen reports on the likelihood of blackouts in SE Australia during the coming summer during days of high temps and low wind and originally looked at 16 or 17 solar panels plus a battery - but the cost would be around $18 - 20 K which is just too much and in any case the battery would not run a small reverse cycle air conditioner at night . Could you recommend a 6- 7 KV auto cut in externally installed generator - and someone in Canberra to do the work. Many thanks Ken Meaney

My Generator Response
Hi Ken, Thanks very much for the inquiry. We have a range of Auto-Start Generators that would be suitable for this application. For a residential back up during black outs, we would recommend a silenced auto start diesel at about 6kva. Providing your house has a single phase supply, we could recommend a Pramac 6kVA Auto Start Diesel Generator . P6000 Features: - Auto Start - Diesel - 24L Long Range Fuel Tank - Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) - Silenced canopy You will also need to purchase the Pramac Automatic Mains Failure Panel (AMF) as an accessory. This signals the Generator to start up during a loss of mains power. When the mains power returns this will signal the generator to turn off. For contact details of a local installer in your area, feel free to call 1300 400 122 and speak to a product expert today. regards Paul

John says:

24 June 2017

Could you advise me on what would be the best generator for use on our property as there is currently no power. And until we get a solar setup we will rely on a generator for everyday use. We are only running a fridge, tv , 3 or 4 lights and occasional washing machine, plus laptop phones etc. What generator do you suggest? ?

My Generator Response
Hi John, thank you for a great question! The first option I wanted to point out for you is to consider an Auto-Start Generator: these units are designed for off-grid solar system automatic back up. Often customers in your situation will purchase a unit from this range, use it initially as a normal generator (i.e. run the appliances directly from the generator), and then when their solar system is installed (by a qualified electrician/solar installer), the generator is connected as part of the install to provide automatic backup when your battery charge levels drop too low. Popular models for this described approach are: - Powerlite Honda 8kVA Auto Start Generator - Pramac Honda 7.2kVA Auto Start Generator - Gentech Honda 8kVA Auto Start Generator The other option of course is a good, reliable generator to just run your described appliances and not worry about a generator to connect to your off-grid solar system for auto backup. For your fridges, TV, Lights, laptops, phone etc. a great option would be the Yamaha EF2800IS Inverter Generator - it only weighs 29 kilograms, yet still has a large 11 litre fuel tank to provide approx. 17 hours run time at quarter load. Other options around this size would be the Briggs & Stratton P3000I or the Yamaha EF3000ISE (comes with electric start). If you needed more power than around 3000 watts to run all of your appliances at the same time (including your washing machine) and any other domestic appliances you may require (e.g. tools, pumps etc.) then you may need to consider a larger inverter generator model, such as the Yamaha EF6300ISE (silenced), or a Gentech Honda 8.8kVA. If you're in doubt about what size you need for all of your particular appliances, it may pay to engage an electrician to take a wattage reading to see what total power you'll need. These normal (non-auto start) generators could still serve the purpose of recharging your solar batteries once you have a solar system up and running... but their recharging would not be automatic. You would need to do it manually and you would need to talk to your solar installer about best practice of recharging and the generator sizing/type for your particular solar system. As a final comment, please just note that any portable generator is not designed to run 24/7 continuously...a quality brand (like Yamaha, Briggs & Stratton, Honda etc.) can handle more intensive/regular use, but they are not built for prime power applications. If you need to power a whole home constantly (days and weeks on end), you would need to look at a Water Cooled Stationary Diesel Generator. Many thanks.

Keith says:

28 May 2017

I am in a rural situation with a three phase supply to the house. There are no three phase loads on site. Biggest load would be the electric induction hot plates . I want to install a backup generator. Do I need a three phase or could I use a single phase with suitBle isolation from the grid

My Generator Response
Hi Keith, This is a frequently asked question. Before any generator installation you should always check with a licensed electrical contractor / electrician to determine what type and size of generator you should install. It will be the licensed installer that will be signing off on the wiring and installation of the generator, as you intend to connect it directly to your switchboard to power your home. In our experience, we know of customer's that have three phase power to the property and install a single phase generator using a 3 phase Automatic Transfer Switch. When you have a mains power failure, the switch will isolate the three phases coming into the switch board from the street. The generator will automatically start and provide single phase power to the house. The three phases will be split across different circuits of the house. Your electrician will be able to identify the best way to hard wire the generator to your switchboard. I can recommend an Auto Start model from the following range: Auto Start Generators. Please feel free to call us on 1300 400 122 for any further help. Kinds regards.

Richard says:

1 May 2017

I am looking at a portable generator for the farm shed (not power connected) to run some tools and a welder. The welder (occasional use) seems to be the determining factor, causing generator size/weight/noise levels to go up and portability down. Do you agree? Any recommendation?

My Generator Response
Hi Richard, great question - we get asked this a lot. When it comes to welders, we find the best approach is to call the manufacturer of your welder, quote the model of your unit and they can advise what size generator is required for your particular welder. We find the technical department for the welder brands (e.g. Unimig, Cigweld etc.) to be very helpful. To give you a guide, the most common size generator to run a welder is an 8kVA, such as the Powerlite Honda 8kVA Generator. This model is very popular for your described application. Again, depending on the model of welder, some people can get away with a smaller generator such as a 5-6kVA, whereas other welders will need more power up around 9-11kVA. Many thanks.

Roger says:

14 February 2017

Hi, I am looking at connecting my 7kva generator through a transfer switch to my home for use during blackouts, but I have been told that the generator has to be pure sinewave, is this correct? I have done the math and this size is ample for our purposes.

My Generator Response
Hi Roger, yes around 7kVA is a common size to power a typical home. In terms of sine wave, if that is what you have been advised, then you would need an inverter generator which produces pure sine wave output, such as the Yamaha EF6300iSE. Many Home owners will use an AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulator) generator for backup via a transfer switch like you have mentioned, such as the Yamaha EF7200E. AVR generators reduce the voltage fluctuation and are very popular for your described application, but it does NOT produce pure sine wave power, and if you have been advised this is what you need, then once again you would need an inverter generator. Thanks.

Roslyn says:

8 February 2017

Hi I'm considering a home back up generators like the Yamaha. Can you tell me how noisy they are ? My sister tells me the neighbours will hate me ?! Thanks

My Generator Response
Hi Roslyn, Yamaha have a range of inverter generators which are considered some of the quietest on the market. For small home back up requirements, I would suggest you consider any of the following three models, depending on the size of your power requirements: Yamaha EF2000iS Inverter Generator Yamaha EF2400iS Inverter Generator Yamaha EF3000iSE Inverter Generator Each of these models are rated at around 52dBA (decibels) at the industry standard of 7 metres in distance. To give you an approximate point of reference, this is just below what is considered 'normal' conversation levels. For more noise comparisons with generators, you can check out our Noise Level Table HERE. If you wanted a larger silenced generator to power your whole home (typically 6000 watts and above), then you could consider some of the below models which much like the smaller models listed above are encased in sound proofing material and operate at very low noise levels. These units are connected to your house mains switchboard by an electrician: Yamaha EF6300iSE Inverter Generator Pramac P6000s 6kVA Diesel Auto Start Generator Generac 8kVA Gas Auto Start Generator Overall, any of the above listed small or large silenced generators will not disturb your neighbors! Many thanks.

Mike says:

4 January 2017

Hi, I currently use a Honda eu70 to provide power to a small farm building, Power transfer is currently via two separate 15 amp leads from the generator, into two separated circuits within the building. I would like to interconnect the power input points of the two separate circuits within the building, which will require the two 15 amp outlets leads from the Honda generator to be joined at the building power input point, to provide a single ~24 amp power source for the building. Can you please indicate if the Generator will still function normally, or if the creation of an interconnect between the 2 generator output leads (circuits) will damage the generator in any way. Thanks, Mike.

My Generator Response
Hi Mike, it is common for an electrician to reconfigure the standard outlets to a larger outlet (e.g. 20amp) if required. Thanks

ron eglinton says:

1 January 2017

I live on a small rural property on mains power in the mid north of south australia. Mainly due to weather events etc., which are often happening miles away from our property, we have several power outages a year with some lasting up to 5 - 7 days but most are restored within a day or occasionally two. I run a typical house load of lighting, fridge, freezer, washing machine, electric jug, microwave and an electric stove. However i also have a 2 hp electric pump on my bore to supply house water, and a 2. 5 air-conditioner in hot weather and an electric 60 gallon water heater on J tariff. What size and type of generator do i need? Ideally auto-start would be good but I wonder if it could handle my total power load. Electric start would be better than pull start if auto start was not possible. I could manage for short term without the electric stove and possibly the water heater. But in hot weather the air con and water pump are essential for safety as it gets very hot here and we are at retiring age and suffer during heat spells and there is a fire danger. Petrol is easiest but although I dont have much experience with diesel that would also do as well. Silent or quiet running would be a bonus.

My Generator Response
Hi Ron, thank you for your question. We can certainly provide some recommendations based on your described application, but ideally you would have an electrician take a reading on your home to find out the maximum power draw of all your listed appliances. Once you have that information, you can then get the right sized generator. Our most popular generator model for general domestic home backup is the Yamaha EF7200E 6kVA Petrol Generator: it comes with electric start, long range fuel tank and Automatic Voltage Regulator fitted. Most customers will use this generator in conjunction with a manual transfer switch fitted to their home, so when a blackout occurs, you switch the power source over to the generator, start the generator up to provide power to your home. You may need more than 6kVA of power based on the appliances you have listed (again, best to get an electrician to take a reading on your home), in which case, I would consider a larger petrol or diesel Pramac Auto Start Generator: they have models around the 9 to 12kVA size and are designed to automatically start up (as opposed to manually) and restore power to your home during a mains blackout. Lastly, if you are on mains gas, then you could also consider a gas powered generator option from Generac: these range from 8 to 13kVA in size and are a very fuel efficient and especially quiet power backup option if you are on mains gas. For any further questions, you can call us on 1300 400 122, thanks.

Dominic Mulligan says:

5 December 2016

Hi, My wife and I have just bought a block of land near Canberra. We're exploring the idea of building an off grid solar powered house with one or two two tesla power wall 2 batteries. What generator would you recommend we look at to provide power if our batteries run out of juice or need to be topped up? Cheers Dominic

My Generator Response
Hi Dominic - good question. We would recommend an Auto Start Generator - this type of generator is by far the most popular for backup to off grid solar systems. These generators will automatically start up to recharge your home batteries when they get too low and then automatically turn off and stop recharging once the batteries are topped up. There are petrol and diesel generator options available. Your solar installer can advise what size auto start generator is required to best suit your particular solar set up. The solar installer or electrical contractor will connect a two wire auto start controller between the generator and your solar system to enable the automatic topping up of your batteries. Please feel free to give us a call on 1300 400 122 to discuss further. Many thanks.

Bryce Crouch says:

10 October 2016

From that list, what one unit do you recommend as the cheapest (but still quality) option to power our whole home when there is a blackout? Our house is standard size. Thanks

My Generator Response
Hi Bryce, the most popular model for your described application is the Yamaha EF7200E - a 6000 watt AVR petrol generator. It is very popular because: - It is electric start - Comes with Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) to reduce voltage fluctuation - Comes with a long range 28 litre fuel tank that can provide 11 hours run time at quarter load - Is priced around $2,000 Its size will power the general appliances you need throughout your home when there is a mains power blackout. You can either run the appliances directly from the generator or opt to have an electrician fit a manual transfer switch to your home and then connect the generator your switchboard. The latter option is the popular choice when there is a blackout as you just switch over the power source of your home to the generator, start it up and power to your home is restored.

Louise says:

29 July 2016

I am looking for a generator to power a garage that has been turned into a bedroom and living area. Use would be continuous running. Standard appliances and 3 x 2000w heaters. Is there anything suitable and non permanent as we rent.

My Generator Response
Hi Louise, if you are looking for a generator for continuous running, then you would need to look at Stationary Diesel Generator that runs at 1500rpm and are water cooled. However these are quite large, and as their name suggests, they are stationary and generally (but not always) a permanent fixture...They are usually moved by forklift, crane etc. For your type of application and appliances you have listed, a more typical style of generator is a portable domestic back up generator - these are lighter, more portable and cheaper generators, however they are not designed to run non-stop continuously. They are mostly petrol sets that are air cooled and run at 3000rpm, and are designed to run for the short periods that you need them for (i.e. back up power when there is a black out), but not all day, every day. You could perhaps look at a solar power source to run your smaller standard appliances and then a generator to run your heaters for the periods you need. An option to look at could be the Yamaha EF7200E 6kVA Generator - this is a very popular model for home backup and will run for 11 hours at a quarter load. Just be sure to check the exact peak power draw of your heaters (and any other appliances you would need to run from the generator) to make sure the generator has enough power for your particular appliances.

Simone McLean says:

4 August 2015

Hello, I'm looking for an Inverter Generator to provide backup power to some home appliances when we experience power loss. Wanting something that will last us for a long time. Thank you, Simone.

My Generator Response
Hi Simone, listed below are three popular models which are a great fit for your application. To ensure you get the most appropriate size, make sure you know the wattage draw of all the appliances you intend to run. Thanks! Yamaha 2400w Inverter Generator - 2000w continuous, 32kg, 6L tank, 54dba @ 1/4 load. Yamaha 2800w Inverter Generator - 2500w continuous, 29kg, 11L tank, 60dba @ 1/4 load. Yamaha 6300w Inverter Generator - 5500w continuous, 91kg, 17L tank, 58dba @ 1/4 load.

Phil O'Keefe says:

15 December 2014

Looking for a generator as home back up when power goes out. Maybe for work around property. Expect only occasional use, so may sit for extended times without use. We live in a rural location, so needs to run house watertank pump and fridge, plus some lights. What do you recommend?

My Generator Response
We have several options that would work for you Phil. There are a few questions to ask first to make sure we are pointing you in the right direction. Do you have a manual transfer switch installed on your switch box? In which case you could look at our auto-start generator range. Or do you intend to run a lead from the generator to run appliances in the event of a mains power failure? In which case there are some great portable back up options, where it mainly comes down to what size you would need. Perhaps it would be best to call us on 1300 400 122 to discuss your needs in more detail. Cheers.

Blake LeStrange says:

3 December 2014

Hi there - I see that that there are gas powered generators of this type also. I'm interested in what your thoughts are on these compared to petrol auto-start units?

My Generator Response
G'Day Blake - The gas auto-start standby generators are best suited for homes connected to mains gas. It can be more expensive to connect to gas mains, but once connected you don't need to worry about fuel levels. Gas standby generators can run on LPG tanks, however we often find the petrol and diesel auto-start units to be more fuel efficient in this case. Historically, we have sold more of the petrol and diesel auto-start units. However, this trend has changed in recent years with a rise in popularity of the gas powered units, particularly from the Generac range; they self-test weekly and are very quiet for their size (noise rated at 60dBA) and as mentioned, if you use mains gas, you don't have to worry about filling up with fuel.

Bruce Langford says:

23 November 2014

Hi, I am researching auto-start generators for charging my solar power set up. I wanted to know if the portable inverter generators such as the Yamaha 3000 watt model can be configured for auto-start power? Many thanks, Bruce Langford

My Generator Response
G'Day Bruce, the short answer to this question is no. For solar power back up you require an auto-start generator to be connected with a two-wire auto start controller. In this instance you would need to look at the auto-start generator range; Pramac have the best models for this purpose. All of these generators are two wire auto start and can be connected with a two-wire auto start controller to connect to your solar battery inverter. This needs to be done by a qualified electrician. Hope that helps - thanks!