Consider this scenario. You buy a portable generator and a few weeks later, the lights go out. If you want to restore your power you’ll need to head out to the garage, start the generator, then run extension cords through your house to the appliances you want to use. Even after all that is done, you still won’t have air conditioning.

If you had a permanent standby generator, it would kick on automatically within seconds of a power outage. These generators run on your home’s natural gas or LP fuel supply. They are less expensive to operate than gasoline and do not need to be refilled. Whether you’re home or away standby generators provide protection 24/7. The generator will turn itself off when utility power returns.

Plus, when properly installed outside your home a standby generator presents less risk from carbon monoxide poisoning than running a portable generator in your garage.