Quote from ASE1245:
I'm getting one of these to cover my house. I often lose my power 2 to 3 times a year.
http://www.generac.com/Residential/Guardian/Products /Guardian_Series_17_kW/
Quote from iprph90:
At roughly $4000 retail plus the cost of professional instal (1-2k), seem like a bit of overkill for power only going out 2-3 times a year.....but, of course, if money is no object, my post is moot.
Quote from jumper:
I actually got an estimate for a 20kbw one a couple weeks ago and the installation is much more than 1-2k. It closer to 4k and that's with the generator being within 25 feet of the gas meter. A second estimate ran about 5k for the installation. For the serious trader, it's worth it. You get jammed on one trade and it's the cost of the 10k generator plus you'll have power in the house for the family.

Quote from iprph90:
At roughly $4000 retail plus the cost of professional instal (1-2k), seem like a bit of overkill for power only going out 2-3 times a year.....but, of course, if money is no object, my post is moot.
Quote from spd:
If intense heat or bitter cold are an issue where you live, its not necessarily overkill.
Plus there is the food issue. Losing an entire fridge and chest freezer worth of food due to a prolonged power outage is a smelly, smelly, inconvenience.
Quote from iprph90:
I have two fridge/freezer combos plus one stand alone freezer....yes I have lost plenty of food!
My point is a sub $1k portable generator (10k watts) would be adequate in most cases.