Do I Need an Inverter Generator For My House? 7 Reasons to Consider

Our power grid is aging, and blackouts, brownouts, blowouts, and unplanned outages may become more common for residents across the country. Fortunately, a conventional generator can shine a light on power outages.

While a traditional standby generator can supply power for your home, there’s a better option for residential electrical needs: Power inverter generators are designed to mitigate the downsides of conventional generators, providing an unparalleled way to provide power output to your home.

If you’re asking, “Do I need an inverter generator for my house?” we have you covered. From efficiency to safety, this guide explores the seven major benefits of opting for power inverter generators over traditional generators. If you're finding yourself confused as to what an inverter generator is, read up on the topic to make sure if it's the correct power source for your home.

#1 Energy Efficiency
Gas, propane, natural gas, or diesel—all generators use a fuel source or power supply. And one of the highest selling points for inverter generators is their overall fuel efficiency compared to standard generators.

The engine on an inverter generator will gear down when not being put to full use, slowing the RPM (the rate per minute of the engine's crankshaft) and burning significantly less fuel, making it the best generator for saving backup power.

In contrast, traditional generators run full power at all times, burning the same fuel even if your electrical power needs are significantly lower than the generator’s electrical output. An inverter generator can ensure you only use the fuel you need as you need it. Inverter generators are also incredibly helpful for smaller homes, such as trailers or RVs. If you're wondering if you need an inverter generator for your mobile home, read up on the topic before you commit to the final purchase.

Consider the following reason fuel efficiency puts inverter generators ahead of the competition:

Environmental conservation – Combustible fuels put out carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. By reducing your overall fuel consumption with a highly-efficient inverter generator, you can reduce your overall carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the environment.

Lower fuel costs – Filling up your fuel tank can be costly. As fuel costs continue to rise, you can mitigate expenses by opting for an inverter generator. While investing in an inverter generator may seem like a high expenditure, it may save you money in the long run.

Multi-fuel options – Inverter generators may allow you to utilize multiple clean power sources. Dual fuel systems may support propane, gasoline, or natural gas fuel options, allowing you to switch between fuel sources depending on what you have available in your shed or at your local hardware store.

#2 Electronics Protection
Modern homes have modern electronics. From laptops and tablets to smart appliances and security systems, there are microprocessors, motherboards, and digital chips in more devices than ever before.

Whether used for work, household tasks, or recreation, electronics are part of daily life. During a power outage, you may need access to your electronics to contact a neighbor, check your email, or scour the internet for updates.

An inverter generator can keep your electronics functioning, even during an outage.

Inverter generators are particularly essential to electronics for the following reasons:

Protect against the surge – Traditional generators output an inconsistent current of electrical energy, creating a dangerous scenario for your sensitive electronics. A sudden surge of current could cause an electric device to malfunction or even fail permanently. Fortunately, an inverter generator can help you avoid a potentially damaging power surge.
Keep your generator power consistent – Along with surge protection, inverter generators also boast a more consistent current of electricity. You won’t need to worry about slow charges and flickering screens interrupting any appliance.
AC/DC conversion – Conversion and inversion are central to these machines’ unique capacities. Inverter generators convert alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC), cleaning up the inconsistencies and instabilities of standard AC power. Then, through the process of inversion, the DC power is transformed back into AC—the standard current for household appliances and plugs.

#3 Safety
Safety is always the primary concern when operating any heavy equipment. Inverter generators are often designed with modern safety measures in mind, allowing you to use them with confidence.

Most notably, a CO2 (carbon dioxide) sensor and shut-off mechanism is a valuable feature found in modern inverter generators. This sensor will detect the level of CO2 in the air and immediately turn off the generator if levels reach a dangerous threshold.

When using an inverter generator at home, consider the following safety protocols to ensure safety:

Keep it outside only – No generator should be used indoors, including in garages or sheds. You’ll want to ensure proper ventilation to avoid CO2 build-up.

Position it 20 feet away from your home – It may be worthwhile to break out the tape measure when setting up your inverter generator. Keep a 20-foot distance between your residence and your generator to avoid any potential fumes entering your home.

Face it away from your home – The exhaust area of your inverter generator should be angled away from your home and your neighbors’ homes. Try your best to arrange your house generator in an open area, facing toward the street or open yard.

For a full list on generator safety, make sure to check out a backup generator maintenance checklist to make sure you’re staying safe when using or fixing up any sort of generator.

#4 Less Noise
When powering your home, you’re best to avoid producing excessive noise. Fortunately, inverter generators are significantly quieter than traditional generators due to their lower RPM engines and modern design.

Consider the following reasons for choosing a quieter home generator:

Personal comfort – Power your home without sacrificing your quality of life. A noisy generator can cause disturbances and ear fatigue, and some are so loud you may not even be able to speak over them. An inverter generator will keep the noise to a minimum, allowing you to enjoy your home without added clamor.

Nearby neighbors – Besides disturbing your household, a standard generator could also cause major problems for your neighbors. With an inverter generator, you can avoid conflict and show a little consideration to those nearby.

More usability – A loud generator can feel like it’s not worth the hassle. Dealing with a noisy engine might keep you from using your generator in scenarios you otherwise would, like at night. With a quieter inverter generator, you’ll never have to hesitate or worry about turning it on and enjoying a lit home.

#5 Portability
Hopefully, your generator isn’t a permanent fixture in your home. Most generators are only brought out when necessary, but that means the process of hauling them to and from storage can be a major impediment or inconvenience due to their bulk.

Inverter generators are typically more portable than standard generators for the following reasons:

Lightweight design – Inverter generators are modern. Newer components, materials, and innovative construction methods allow these generators to weigh less than older types of generators. By prioritizing a lightweight design, inverter generators provide a more portable option than ever before.

Smaller fuel tank – Fuel can significantly weigh down a generator. When full, a fuel tank can add tens of pounds to the overall weight of a generator. Because inverter generators are more fuel-efficient, they don’t require the same size fuel tank as standard generators to enjoy the same amount of mechanical energy. Luckily, this boost of efficiency also means a reduction in the heft of your inverter generator.

Wheels and handles – For maximum portability, you can seek out an inverter generator that provides wheels, handles, or additional exterior features to make moving a breeze.

Sometimes, extension cords are incredibly helpful to maximize the usage of your power generator. Read up on extension cords for generators to see if one would benefit your energy needs.

#6 Reliability
You need a generator that you can count on when the lights go out, and dependability is the essence of a quality inverter generator. During an outage scenario, you should expect a generator that won’t slow, fail, or offer any unpleasant surprises.

Inverter generators earn top marks in reliability for the following reasons:

No start time – It’s power when you need it. Inverter generators have no start time, allowing you to press the on button, plug in your cables, and enjoy the smooth current pumping out of your machine. There’s no revving the engine and waiting for it to warm up.

Cleaner power – The inversion process that protects your electronics from surges also provides an all-around cleaner power for every application. The consistent stream of filtered AC makes inverter generators the most reliable option for powering your household.

Equal power distribution – The same mechanisms that allow for fuel conservation and efficiency also ensures equal power distribution coming out of your inverter generator. The modern design of an inverter generator creates a reliable pathway to provide the exact amount of electricity to the appliances and devices you need.

#7 Parallel Compatibility
When one’s not enough, there’s another way to increase the output of your inverter generator: You can run multiple inverter generators in parallel. This process requires parallel cables running between two generators, allowing their motors to sync up and spin in unison.

The process of running inverter generators in parallel offers several advantages:

Add on when you need it – If your power needs a boost, you may not need to buy a new, larger inverter generator to power your home. Instead, you can add another inverter of the same size to upgrade your energy output.

More mobility – A single massive generator can be a lot to move. With two parallel inverter generators, you could save yourself from stress and strain when lugging these machines out of storage.

Overall power – Running inverter generators in parallel can provide double the starting watts. All that power is perfectly safe so long as you use the proper cables and ensure that the generators are compatible with each other.

Find The Inverter Generator For Your Home at DuroMax
With their quiet hum, easy portability, and energy efficiency, there’s a lot to love about inverter generators over other standby generators. Whether you’re hoping to crank the AC or get your TV running, DuroMax offers a selection of inverter generators designed specifically for home use.

Explore the iH series, our latest lineup of inverter generators producing 2,300 to 9,000 watts, and packing the power for your home backup needs. Additionally, you can find the cables, covers, and other accessories to prepare your home for the next outage. Check out our store today to find exactly what you need to keep your home running.

Back to News