Best Generator Options for New England Homes (And How to Pick One)
When Mother Nature Decides She’s in Charge
You know that feeling when the power goes out at 9 PM on a February night, and you can literally hear your heating system sighing as it shuts down? Yeah, we’ve all been there. Living in New England means accepting that ice storms, nor’easters, and surprise snowstorms are just part of life. The question isn’t whether you’ll lose power… it’s when, and for how long.
Last winter, we had a customer in Windham whose power went out for six days straight after an ice storm. Six days. Their neighbors with generators were cozy and warm while they were camping out at relatives’ houses, watching their pipes worry them sick. That experience changed everything for them, and honestly, it should change everything for you too.
Here’s the thing about generators. It’s not just about keeping the lights on (though that’s nice). It’s about keeping your family comfortable, your food fresh, and your pipes from freezing. It’s about not having to throw away $300 worth of groceries or deal with burst pipes that cost thousands to repair.
But picking the right generator? That’s where things get tricky. There are so many options out there, and frankly, a lot of the advice you’ll find online doesn’t really account for what it’s like to live in New England. So let’s talk about what actually works here, in our climate, with our power grid challenges.
Understanding Your Real Power Needs
Before we dive into specific generators, let’s figure out what you actually need. And I mean really need, not what the internet calculator tells you based on running every appliance in your house simultaneously.
Most New England families need to power a few key things during outages: heating system (whether it’s oil, gas, or electric), refrigerator and freezer, some lights, phone charging, and maybe the internet router so you can work from home or keep the kids entertained. That’s actually not as much power as you might think.
Your furnace? Probably only needs about 800 watts to run. Your refrigerator cycles on and off, using maybe 600-800 watts when running. Basic lighting and electronics add another few hundred watts. So you’re looking at maybe 3,000-5,000 watts for the essentials.
Now, if you want to run everything like normal… well, that’s a different conversation. And a bigger generator.
Quick reality check: Walk through your house right now and make two lists. What absolutely must stay on? What would be nice to have? Start with the first list and see how that feels budget-wise.
Portable Generators: Your Entry-Level Solution
Let’s start with the most affordable option that still gives you real protection. Portable generators are exactly what they sound like… though “portable” is generous when you’re talking about something that weighs 200+ pounds.
The Good: They’re relatively inexpensive (think $1,000-3,000), you can buy one today and use it tonight, and they’ll power your essentials without breaking the bank. Brands like Honda, Yamaha, and Champion make solid units that’ll run for years if you maintain them properly.
The Reality: You’ll be outside in whatever weather knocked your power out, wheeling this thing out of your garage and getting it started. You’ll need to refuel it every 8-12 hours (again, outside, in the storm). And you’ll be running extension cords through windows or doors to get power inside.
We’ve seen families make this work really well, especially if you have a covered area where you can run the generator safely. Just remember, these things produce carbon monoxide, so they absolutely cannot go in your garage, basement, or anywhere enclosed. Ever.
Pro tip from years of service calls: Get a generator with electric start if you can swing it. Pull-starting a cold generator in freezing rain is nobody’s idea of fun.
Standby Generators: The Whole-House Solution
Now we’re talking about the real deal. Standby generators are permanently installed outside your home, connected directly to your electrical system, and they start automatically when the power goes out. You literally don’t have to do anything.
These systems typically run on natural gas or propane, so you don’t have to worry about storing gasoline or refueling during storms. They just sit there quietly until you need them, then fire up within seconds of detecting a power outage.
Size options we install most often:
- 10-12 kW units handle the essentials plus some extras (around $4,000-6,000 installed)
- 16-20 kW units run most of your house normally (around $6,000-9,000 installed)
- 24+ kW units let you live like nothing happened (around $8,000-12,000+ installed)
The thing about standby generators… they’re not just about convenience. They’re about protecting your investment in your home. Frozen pipes, spoiled food, security system failures… these things add up fast. We’ve had customers tell us their generator paid for itself in the first major outage.
What we tell every customer: These require professional installation and annual maintenance, just like your heating system. They’re not set-it-and-forget-it, but they’re pretty close.
Smart Generator Technology: The New Kid on the Block
Here’s something that’s gotten really exciting in the past few years. Companies like Generac and Kohler now make generators that connect to your WiFi and send you updates on your phone. You can monitor them remotely, get maintenance alerts, and even see how they’re performing during outages.
Some of the newer systems can even integrate with smart home technology to automatically prioritize which circuits get power first. It’s like having a really smart friend managing your electricity during outages.
The SPAN smart panel system takes this even further by letting you control individual circuits from your phone and optimizing how your generator’s power gets used throughout your house.
New England-Specific Considerations
Living here means dealing with stuff that doesn’t apply in other parts of the country. Let me share some things we’ve learned from nearly two decades of generator installations in Southern New Hampshire.
Cold weather starting: Generators that start fine in October might struggle when it’s 10 below in January. Look for models with cold weather packages or battery warmers. Trust me on this one… we’ve gotten plenty of emergency calls from generators that just wouldn’t turn over in bitter cold.
Snow and ice protection: Your generator needs proper clearance and protection from snow buildup. We’ve seen units buried under three feet of snow, and they can’t get proper airflow. Most manufacturers make cold weather enclosures that help with this.
Propane vs natural gas: If you’re on natural gas, that’s usually the way to go. But if you’re on propane for your house already, that works great too. Propane actually has some advantages in really cold weather because it burns hotter.
Installation considerations: New England’s frost line means your gas connections need to be buried pretty deep. This adds to installation cost but it’s not optional. We handle all the permit and utility coordination, but it’s worth understanding why the process takes a few weeks.
Making the Investment Decision
Look, generators aren’t cheap. But neither is dealing with extended power outages in New England. Here’s how we tell customers to think about it:
Add up what your last major power outage cost you. Spoiled food, hotel stays, restaurant meals, lost work time, potential pipe damage… it adds up faster than you’d think. Now multiply that by however many years you plan to stay in your house.
Financing reality: Most generator installations can be financed, and many customers find the monthly payment less stressful than wondering when the next outage will hit. Some utility companies even offer rebates for standby generators because they reduce strain on the grid during peak times.
Home value impact: A permanently installed generator system typically adds about 50-75% of its cost to your home’s value. Not a complete return on investment, but not a total expense either.
Getting Started the Right Way
Whether you’re leaning toward a portable unit or ready to invest in a whole-house system, the key is working with professionals who understand New England conditions and local requirements.
We handle everything from helping you size the right system to pulling permits, coordinating with utility companies, and providing ongoing maintenance. Because the last thing you want is to discover your generator doesn’t work when you actually need it.
Ready to move forward with confidence? Contact our team at R&A Langevin Electric today at 603-635-2388. We’re always happy to answer these questions and any others you might have about your generator project. As a homegrown New England business, we understand that trust is earned through transparency, quality work, and genuine commitment to our customers’ safety and satisfaction.