Cost of Complete System
A typical 5000 watt portable generator with a manual transfer switch ranges in price from $900 to over $3,000 depending on options and quality. Permanently mounted home stand-by generators with an automatic transfer switch ranges in price from $2,500 to over $25,000, also depending on options and quality.

Automatic vs. Manual Start/Stop
Your home standby generator could be an automatic start/stop. Power would be transferred to your home with an automatic transfer switch at any time normal power is interrupted. It may also be a manual start/stop with a transfer switch that requires an operator in the event of an outage. A manual generator will likely be more economical than the automatic type, but in time could cost more. If a manual generator is unattended during an outage, the result could cause frozen water lines, spoiled food, or other unknowns. Both the automatic and manual start generator will typically be permanently mounted outdoors and be subjected to weather without any problems.

Permanent vs. Portable
The portable type of generator can be used in remote locations for construction, home, camping, and other uses. A permanently mounted generator, on the other hand, should never be moved for this purpose. A portable generator would normally be kept inside of a garage or shed, and would be moved outdoors in the event of an outage (into the environment that may be causing the outage itself).

Fuel Type
Permanently mounted home standby generators are rarely gasoline fueled and are normally propane or natural gas. There are some diesel units in home standby, but like gasoline, the liquid fuels require maintenance to keep the generator healthy and ready to run in an emergency.

Sound Quality & Life Expectancy
Home standby generators have air-cooled 3600 rpm engines, or water-cooled 1800 rpm engines. The quietest generators are the water-cooled, 1800 rpm, sound-attenuated enclosure type units. The 1800 rpm generators cost more, but will normally outlast air-cooled units in higher use applications, and will keep your neighbors happy. Portable generators typically make more noise and are not built as heavy-duty due to competitive costs, etc. However, there are some exceptions in the newer inverter models and higher end, more expensive portable generators.