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What is the most efficient propane generator? Propane generators designed to kick in automatically can help restore power to your most critical appliances, or even your whole home, depending on the power output of the generator. With a standby propane generator, running 100-foot extension cords across your yard while stealing your neighbor’s power is no longer necessary. Homestandby Generator
Like planting a tree (or doing anything you don’t really want to have to do) the best time to buy a standby propane generator was yesterday. The next best time is today. Check out our list of the top five propane generators and find the perfect generator to fit your needs below.
We developed our list of the best propane generators by first identifying competitors that met basic criteria. Then, the team reviewed the most widely available propane generators from that list and scored them all based on over 25 different attributes as well as conducted our own individual research. We further pared our list down to the top propane generators. Our ratings take into account factors like price, warranty, noise levels, energy output, remote monitoring and automatic transfer switch options. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Why you can trust Forbes Home: The Forbes Home team is committed to bringing you independent, unbiased ratings and information. We use data and expert advice to inform all of our content. Plus, our advisory board of licensed professionals fact-checks and reviews our content for accuracy and relevancy.
(Note: All prices are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.)
Explore Most Popular Generators For Home Installation
When in need of temporary power for medical, heating, cooling or electrical reasons, Angi’s electricians can help. Installation done for brands like Generac, Kohler and Cummins.
Champion 12.5-kW Home Standby Generator
Champion is among the newest companies in the home generator market but is quickly making its name with excellent quality propane generators that are built to last. Champion’s 12.5kW Home Standby Generator takes top marks on our propane generator list because of its whisper-quiet 63 dbA noise level and best-in-class 10-year warranty.
This Champion generator is designed for the elements and boasts reliability in temperatures ranging from -22 degrees Fahrenheit to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This added reliability doesn’t mean a larger footprint. This Champion generator also makes regular maintenance much more convenient for the homeowner with gull-wing access doors.
Champion 14-kW aXis Home Standby Generator with 200-Amp Whole House Switch
Though the Champion 14-kW aXis generator is one of the most expensive propane generators that we reviewed, a number of excellent factors set this generator apart from its competition. With 14,000 watts of power, the Champion aXis sets a bold precedent for extreme power so you never have to worry about powering all the critical devices in your home.
This generator still manages a best-in-class noise level of only 62 dbA, meaning you get all that power while still only being about as loud as a conversation. The Champion aXis will start automatically at house power loss and advertises efficient operation at both sub-zero temperatures and in extreme heat. While this propane generator does not have a remote monitoring system, it comes with an excellent 10-year limited warranty and free technical support for life.
This Generac Air-Cooled Standby Generator can provide power to multiple homes and numerous appliances, all while featuring the lowest MSRP per kilowatt of any air-cooled propane generator that we reviewed. The Generac Air-Cooled Standby Generator’s True Power™ technology means you get consistent, quality power with low harmonic distortion to protect your more delicate electronics. With a self-test mode that runs a five-minute low-power test each week, you will be able to rest comfortably knowing that your propane generator is ready to go at any moment you might need it.
Generac Guardian 3-Phase 20kW Automatic Standby Generator Wi-Fi Enabled
If you need an immense amount of 3-phase power, look no further than the Generac Guardian 3-Phase 20kW generator. As one of the largest, most powerful 3-phase propane generators on the market, this generator combines all the features that a Generac is widely known for, with enough power to keep your large home or small business running.
With easy-installation, Wi-Fi control and monitoring and advertised all-weather construction, the only thing missing from this propane generator is an automatic transfer switch—which is sold separately.
Generac Guardian Wi-Fi Enabled Standby Generator
One of the leading propane generator brands, Generac’s Guardian series generators are backed with experience. This Generac Guardian is Wi-Fi-enabled allowing you to use its MobileLink technology to check its status via phone or computer from anywhere in the world.
On propane power (it can also be run on natural gas) this generator will provide 10,000 watts of power and is designed to shut down automatically in high temperatures. Quickly and easily installed by professional installers, this Generac propane generator easily attaches to your existing liquid propane pipe line and comes with a five-year limited warranty and 24/7/365 customer phone support.
If you are purchasing a propane generator, one of the most important determinations is the power requirement of your home and your most critical large appliances. Air conditioning, sump or well pumps, medical devices, electric water heaters and, if you live in a cold area, portable space heaters will probably have the highest power draw and be the most essential appliances during an outage.
Often, propane generator manufacturers will have an online wattage calculator to help you add up your most essential appliances to find the perfect propane generator for your home. If you want to calculate this number yourself, you can add up the “starting watts” listed on the wattage rating label of your most essential appliances.
If your appliance does not list “starting watts”, take the “running watts” and multiply that number by three. Once you have the total number of starting watts, multiply that number by one and a half to create an adequate margin of safety. Most small to medium size U.S. homes average a minimum of 5,000 to 7,500 for critical appliances, so most propane standby or backup generators will be sold with an output of 9,000 to 20,000 watts.
Note: Some generators are listed by watt (W) and some by kilowatt (kW). A kilowatt is 1,000 watts.
Knowing how much propane your generator will use is essential, so you do not run out of fuel when you need it most. Planning ahead and calculating how much your generator needs helps ensure you have enough fuel stored in case of an emergency or disaster situation.
For instance, propane generators typically consume 1.5 to 3 gallons of propane per hour, depending on the load. A 20-gallon tank will provide backup power for 8 to 10 hours.
One of the most important considerations when determining the best propane generator for your home is the physical footprint that the generator takes up. Whether you have a small yard or many acres of land, your propane generator will have to be near your home, so the size likely matters.
The larger generators on our list average a footprint of 30-by-30-by-48 inches while the smaller generators are closer to 24-by-24-by-36 inches. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires five feet of clearance from openings in your home such as windows or doors. According to NFPA codes, smaller home generators may be allowed as close to 18 inches from an exterior wall, though you should always check local codes as some may differ from NFPA standards.
Another important determination in choosing a propane generator is the noise level that the engine produces while it is generating power. Since these generators are directly outside of your home, you will want to find a quieter one when making your selection.
Most of the generators on our list average 60 and 70 dbA, though the exact noise level can depend on the amount of power that the engine is producing. Placement of a propane generator outside your home is also important since you may not want the noise right outside a bedroom or office window. For reference, a normal conversation is about 60 dbA while a vacuum cleaner produces between 70 and 80 dbA.
Propane generators are often used as temporary power sources for housing, construction and recreation. They are ideal for use in remote areas where access to the power grid is limited or can be used off the grid. Because of the exhaust gases they produce, they are safe only when used at least 20 feet from any structures outdoors. For this reason, most have large handles and wheels, or other features, to make them portable.
Consider a propane generator if you’re looking for an economical and environmentally friendly option to power your home. Propane is a clean-burning fuel that produces far fewer particulates and toxins than gasoline so you can use it in your yard or at the campsite with less worry about fumes and air quality.
However, you should never operate a propane generator inside a small enclosed space; it can fill up quickly with carbon monoxide from its exhaust. When it comes to safety, any generator can be deadly if proper precautions aren’t taken, so remember that before turning on your generator this season.
Many propane generator warranties last about five years and cover only specific parts. You might have to pay for the repair if something else within the generator breaks. Some things that can invalidate your warranty include:
Extended warranties cover the best generators. Extended warranties typically cover more and last longer than warranties from manufacturers.
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A propane home standby generator is ready at a moment’s notice—unlike a portable generator—and will kick-in automatically when the power goes out. These generators are able to sense the draw of power from your home’s electrical panel and electrically start themselves. Even if they don’t start automatically, propane generators often have a remote starter so you don’t have to pull a rip-cord like on many portable generators.
Legally, all propane generators producing more than 5,000 watts of power output are required to include an Automatic Transfer Switch or ATS. The ATS automatically switches your home’s electrical panel from it’s grid connection to the generator when it detects a loss of power. The ATS also protects the city’s electrical grid from back-fed power once your generator powers up. A propane generator that produces less than 5,000 watt of output may have a manual transfer switch, but these are much less common.
Propane generators are installed permanently outside your home and often are connected to a large, permanently installed liquid propane tank. This way you never need to worry about going to the store to purchase more propane when you need power. A propane generator may also include features such as automatic transfer switches and electric starters so you won’t even have to leave your home if the power goes out. Back-up power will kick in automatically.
Propane generators have a much higher capacity than portable generators running on diesel or gas power. While portable generators can average between 3,500 and 10,000 watts, propane home generators usually have a capacity starting at 10,000 watts. With the average U.S. home needing approximately 5,000 to 7,000 watts for critical appliances, the increased power of a standby propane generator allows you peace-of-mind when the power goes out. Compare Best Propane Generators
There is no “right” answer when it comes to choosing between a propane or a gas generator. Each one has different advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, you should choose the power source that works best for you and your home needs. Factors to consider when decided between a propane or a gas generator include:
Explore Most Popular Generators For Home Installation
When in need of temporary power for medical, heating, cooling or electrical reasons, Angi’s electricians can help. Installation done for brands like Generac, Kohler and Cummins.
Propane generators are typically more expensive than other generators, but you’ll save in the long run. They can cost anywhere between $250 to $6,000 , depending on whether they are portable or permanently installed. Liquid propane generators burn cleaner than other fuel types, so they’re usually more environmentally friendly than gas. They also create less noise and offer better fuel efficiency by burning hotter.
To determine the best propane generator ranking, the Forbes Home Improvement editorial team analyzed third-party data on several propane generators, with each product’s star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:
Price made up one of the bigger percentages of the ranking for the simple fact that price can make or break a homeowner’s decision. List price for each generator was evaluated from different platforms including Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s and more.
Each generator’s warranty was listed and analyzed. The more years a generator’s warranty policy had, the more points a generator was awarded.
For the comfort of the homeowner, 15% of the total ranking went to noise level (dbA). Each generator’s noise level was evaluated and from there was scored based on the loudness (or softness) of its average level.
Energy output being a factor in cost and effectiveness makes up 15% of the ranking.
Remote monitoring could be a must-have for some homeowners who often evacuate their homes for natural events, or for those on vacation, which is why 5% of the ranking is made up of remote monitoring options among each generator.
Whether a generator had an automatic transfer switch, and any included circuits, were analyzed and lumped into the total ranking.
A propane generator can, theoretically, run indefinitely if the supply of propane does not run out and no maintenance is required. However, a propane gas main line is rare and most homes using propane instead of natural gas have a permanently installed propane tank that is regularly re-filled by a professional service.
Propane generators are able to produce more power than natural gas because the propane is a more efficiently-burning fuel. Propane also burns “cleaner” which means propane power is more environmentally friendly than natural gas. Propane is not green. Propane users are still burning fossil fuels and polluting the atmosphere.
Propane is usually more expensive than natural gas, partly because it must be delivered by a professional company and rarely runs in a city or county operated gas line. This being said, because propane is a more efficient fuel type, you will use less of it to run your generator.
Generac, a major generator manufacturer, recommends a minimum of a 250-gallon propane tank for their propane standby generators. Generac also offers a free home assessment to determine just how much power, and thus how much propane, you might need for a propane generator.
Generally speaking, propane generators are less efficient than gas generators as they produce fewer BTUs per gallon of fuel. The most efficient propane generator is the one that will provide the most BTUs per gallon of fuel.
Chauncey grew up on a farm in rural northern California. At 18 he ran away and saw the world with a backpack and a credit card, discovering that the true value of any point or mile is the experience it facilitates. He remains most at home on a tractor, but has learned that opportunity is where he finds it and discomfort is more interesting than complacency.
In addition to being a contributing editor for Forbes, Corinne is a dynamic digital professional specializing in copywriting, copy editing and content strategy. With over eight years of experience at Bed Bath and Beyond, she has gained invaluable knowledge and expertise on everything related to the home. In her current role as SEO Editor, Corinne oversees the SEO content strategy for sites such as Bed Bath and Beyond, Bed Bath and Beyond Canada, buybuy BABY and Harmon Face Values.
Portable Inverter Generator Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.