Generators & Backup Power

Size a standby or portable generator in kW: add running watts, the biggest motor surge, then derate for natural gas, heat and altitude. Free calculator.

A power strip surge protector guards one outlet. A whole-house surge protector guards everything wired into your panel — and if you run a portable or standby generator, it’s protecting against a risk your neighbors on pure utility power don’t have. JBBy J. Bond  ·  Updated September 2026  ·  7 min read The Brofessionals is…

Most standby quotes bundle everything into one number, which makes it hard to tell whether any single piece is overpriced. Here’s what a Generac standby install costs in 2026, line by line, by size, with a worked example you can hold a real quote against. JBBy J. Bond  ·  Updated October 2026  ·  8 min…

Some of the work on a whole-house standby generator is genuinely homeowner-friendly. The part that ties it into your home’s wiring almost never is — and getting it wrong can kill a utility lineworker. Here’s exactly where the line falls. JBBy J. Bond  ·  Updated September 2026  ·  7 min read The Brofessionals is reader-supported….

How to size a quiet inverter generator to run RV air conditioning without violating campground noise limits, with a sizing guide.

Interlock kit vs manual transfer switch for connecting a portable generator to your home wiring: cost, installation, and which fits your needs.

The safe way to run a portable generator during rain and storms, including what NOT to do (like draping a tarp over it).

When the Anker SOLIX BP1000 expansion battery is worth buying vs a second full power station, with a cost-per-watt-hour breakdown.

How to pick backup power for apartment living, since gas generators are off the table. Capacity guide, safety notes, and what to actually look for.

How to size a solar generator / portable power station for CPAP use during an outage, including a capacity guide by outage length.