Eric
Yes, and having an automatic generator adds to the value of your home as well.

Pap

When my current house was being built, I asked the builder how much it would cost to add a generator/transfer switch and upgrade the propane tank. He looked at me like I was from another planet.

If I keep this place for 10yrs+ I'll get that done here. If I don't, it'll get done on the next place for sure.

there is this "thing" my neighbor told me about it....it plugs into your meter box prior to the meter. Your electric company is thus involved, however it's a safe alternative. Then you just plug your generator in the "sleeve" attachment(30amp)so it will not necessarily run the whole house, however will do quite nicely in a pinch.....as I recall it's somewhat picky as to which generators it will accept....I think that has something to do with the quality of the power being produced. It's "make shift" when compared to the whole house thing, however does provide an alternative, if you can't afford the whole house thing.
can't remember the name....
:-)Rocky

The "redneck" way to do it with a portable unit is to have a 60a220v outlet in the garage, fabricate a "suicide" pigtail (male connectors on both ends), use that to plug the generator into your house circuit after you've wheeled the generator outside the garage door.

You'd have to focus on what breakers you throw and when, obviously.

Not advisable to run the AC or an electric oven, but if you have gas range and gas water heaters, it'll keep you going for as long as you can keep it fueled.

I had a 900 watt generator from Harbor Freight and the $1,000 manual switch, but it was gasoline and wouldn't run our electric heating system, but would run the AC, and basic lighting, TVs, etc, but not the washer/dryer. This Generac is a 22kv unit and will run everything in the house 24/7 for 30 days.

Pap

Finally got my Generac generator system installed. 22kw generator, 200 amp switch, cold weather package, AGM battery, 500 gallon propane tank. Happy camper.

Pap

How’s the noise level in that location?

Very quiet compared to the gasoline ones I've had. Plus it's on the back side of our home and not as loud as the AC compressor.

Pap

I had an electrician over to see about installing a natural gas powered generator.
Due to the codes in my county and city, I can't have it anywhere near a window, vent, door, etc.
Where I want to put it with those restrictions requires a long run of the gas line and the electrical to get back to the panel.
I am saving my pennies now.
I was really hoping solar with wall battery storage was the solution, but the technology has to get better and cheaper.

Generac must make them quieter these days. Mine may be louder because they placed my unit on a cement pad. My 5 ton A/C compressor is a lot quieter than my generator. Looks great Pappy