Choosing Your First One
Last verified: September 2026
Everything you actually need to know, in plain English - no jargon, no rabbit holes. If you'd rather skip the reading and just have someone help, my number is (330) 200-8042.
Choosing Your First One
Choosing your first inverter generator doesn't have to mean guessing at a wall of boxes covered in numbers. It comes down to a short, friendly checklist: match the power to the few things you truly want to keep running, insist on a carbon-monoxide shutoff, pick the fuel and outlets that fit your home, make sure you can actually move it, and buy from a store you trust. Here's the plain-English walk-through, with a printable, 29-page guide up top if you'd like the full version.
Common Questions
1 What's the first thing to look at when buying a generator?
The size — but sized to you, not to the shelf. Start with a short list of what you'd truly want running in an outage (fridge, some lights, phones, the internet, maybe the furnace fan), and match the generator's watts to that list with a little headroom. Bigger isn't better; it's just heavier, thirstier, and pricier. There's a full sizing guide in this series to walk the numbers.
2 Which one feature should I refuse to skip?
A carbon-monoxide shutoff sensor. It's a built-in sensor that automatically kills the engine if CO builds up nearby. Look for a label saying the unit meets the PGMA G300 or UL 2201 safety standard. Safety officials credit these with preventing the large majority of generator carbon-monoxide deaths. It's a seatbelt, not a free pass — you still run the generator outside and well away from the house.
3 What outlets should the generator have?
Everyone needs the regular household plugs for cords to the fridge, lamps, and electronics. The one to watch for is a 120/240-volt twist-lock outlet — you'll want it if you ever plan to run a well pump or feed a house circuit through a transfer switch. The small, quiet units skip it and put out 120 volts only, which is fine for in-town essentials.
4 Should I buy gasoline, propane, or dual-fuel?
Gasoline is easy to find and powerful but goes stale in storage. Propane keeps for years and is handy to have on hand, with a touch less power. Dual-fuel units run on either, which is a lovely safety net when a storm empties the gas stations. For backup that mostly sits and waits, many folks like propane or dual-fuel. There's a fuel guide in this series that digs in.
5 Is it safe to buy a generator from an online marketplace?
Be careful. Storm season brings out scammers with prices far below everyone else, unknown websites, and pressure to pay by wire or gift card. Buy from a real store or the maker's own site — somewhere you could walk back into for help and warranty service. A too-good-to-be-true deal from a stranger usually is.
6 Can you help me pick one before I spend the money?
Gladly, and that's the cheapest insurance there is. Make your must-run list, jot down any watts you can find, and give me a call. We'll match you to the right size and features, steer you to a trustworthy place to buy, and make sure anything involving 240 volts or your home's wiring gets a licensed electrician. One friendly point of contact for the whole thing.
Want a Hand With Yours?
Picking a generator, setting it up, and learning to run it safely is one of my most-requested visits. I bring the patience and the know-how - you keep your seat. We'll match a unit to your home, set it up right, walk through starting it and staying safe from carbon monoxide, and get your internet, TV, and devices happily back on. $99 flat, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free. (330) 200-8042.
Would you rather I just do this for you?
No shame in it — plenty of folks would rather hand it off, and that's what I'm here for. I'll come to your home, set it up right, and make sure it's working before I leave. Flat $99 per visit — no jargon, no upsell, and every visit is 30-day come-back-free.
Not a hardware job? I can often fix it remotely for $49 — a secure screen-share, up to 2 hours, that you watch the whole time and can end whenever (included free for $39/mo Support Plan members, and it counts toward the $99 if it turns out I need to come out).