A Practical Guide to Finding the Perfect Generator for Your Home
If you’ve decided that a backup generator is a worthwhile investment for your Louisiana home—and given our hurricane history, it absolutely is—the next step is choosing the right one. With multiple brands, fuel types, sizes, and feature sets available, the selection process can feel overwhelming. The wrong choice means either spending more than necessary on a unit that’s larger than you need, or worse, investing in a generator that can’t keep up when you need it most.
At CR Electric LLC, we’ve been installing and servicing backup generators across Harahan, Covington, and the greater New Orleans metro area for over 25 years. Our licensed master electricians have hands-on experience with every major generator brand and can help you navigate the decision. This guide breaks down the key factors to consider so you can make an informed choice.
Fuel Type: Natural Gas vs. Propane vs. Diesel
The fuel your generator runs on is one of the most important decisions you’ll make, and it depends largely on what’s available at your property.
Natural Gas
If your home is connected to a natural gas line, a natural gas generator is often the best choice. The advantages are significant:
- Unlimited fuel supply: Natural gas lines rarely fail during storms, so you’ll have fuel as long as the gas utility is operational. This is a major advantage during extended outages where propane tanks can run dry and gasoline stations may be closed
- No fuel storage: No tank to refill, no fuel to go stale, no delivery to schedule
- Lower fuel cost: Natural gas is typically the cheapest fuel option per kilowatt-hour generated
- Clean burning: Natural gas produces fewer emissions than diesel or gasoline
The main limitation is that natural gas generators produce slightly less power per unit size compared to propane or diesel. However, for residential applications, this difference is rarely significant. Most areas of Metairie, Kenner, Harahan, New Orleans, and developed areas of the Northshore have natural gas service available.
Propane (LP Gas)
Propane generators are the go-to choice for homes without natural gas service, which is common in more rural areas of St. Tammany Parish, Tangipahoa Parish, and Washington Parish. Propane offers several advantages:
- Long shelf life: Propane doesn’t degrade over time like gasoline, so it’s always ready when you need it
- Available everywhere: Propane can be delivered to any property with a tank
- Higher energy density than natural gas: Propane generators typically produce more power per cubic foot of fuel
- Dual-fuel options: Many generators can run on either natural gas or propane, giving you flexibility
The primary consideration with propane is tank sizing. A 20kW generator running at full load consumes approximately 3-4 gallons of propane per hour. During an extended outage, you’ll need a tank large enough to last several days. We typically recommend a minimum 250-gallon tank for generator use, with 500 gallons being ideal for extended hurricane-season outages. Remember that propane delivery may be disrupted during and immediately after a major storm, so starting with a full tank before hurricane season is essential.
Diesel
Diesel generators are less common for residential use but offer some advantages in specific situations:
- Highest fuel efficiency: Diesel generators produce the most power per gallon of fuel
- Extreme durability: Diesel engines are built for heavy-duty, long-duration operation
- Long engine life: With proper maintenance, diesel generators can last 20,000-30,000 hours
However, diesel generators are louder, more expensive upfront, require more maintenance, and diesel fuel has a limited shelf life (6-12 months without stabilizers). They’re most appropriate for larger homes or properties where natural gas isn’t available and propane delivery is unreliable.
Sizing: How Much Power Do You Actually Need?
Generator sizing is measured in kilowatts (kW), and getting the right size is critical. An undersized generator will overload and shut down when you need it most. An oversized generator wastes money upfront and runs inefficiently at low loads, which can actually cause maintenance problems over time.
Understanding Your Load
Every electrical device in your home has a wattage rating. Some devices, particularly those with electric motors (AC compressors, refrigerators, sump pumps, well pumps), have a higher startup wattage that can be 2-3 times their running wattage. Your generator must be able to handle these startup surges without tripping.
Here’s a typical load breakdown for a Louisiana home:
- 3-ton central AC system: 3,500W running / 7,000W startup
- 5-ton central AC system: 5,000W running / 10,000W startup
- Refrigerator: 150W running / 400W startup
- Freezer: 150W running / 400W startup
- Sump pump (1/3 HP): 800W running / 1,300W startup
- Well pump (1/2 HP): 1,000W running / 2,000W startup
- Electric water heater: 4,500W (no startup surge)
- Electric range/oven: 3,000-5,000W
- Microwave: 1,000-1,500W
- Washing machine: 500W running / 1,200W startup
- Electric dryer: 5,000W
- LED lighting (whole home): 200-500W
- Television: 100-400W
- Computer/router/modem: 200-500W
Recommended Generator Sizes
- 10-14kW: Powers essential circuits—one AC system, refrigerator, some lights, and a few outlets. Good for budget-conscious homeowners who want to maintain basic comfort during outages
- 16-20kW: The sweet spot for most Louisiana homes. Powers one or two AC systems, all kitchen appliances, all lights, and most outlets. This covers the needs of the majority of 1,500-3,000 sq ft homes
- 22-26kW: Whole-home power for larger homes or homes with high electrical demand (multiple AC zones, electric cooking, electric water heater, pool equipment). Recommended for homes over 3,000 sq ft or homes with all-electric utilities
Load Management: A Smart Alternative to Oversizing
Modern generators and transfer switches offer load management features that allow a smaller generator to power more of your home by intelligently managing which circuits receive power at any given time. For example, a load-managed system can briefly pause power to your AC compressor while your electric dryer starts up, then restore the AC once the dryer is running steadily.
This technology can allow a 16kW or 20kW generator to effectively manage the loads that would otherwise require a 22kW or larger unit, saving you thousands on both the equipment and installation.
Top Generator Brands We Install and Recommend
Generac
Generac is the leading manufacturer of residential standby generators, holding approximately 75 percent of the market. They offer the widest range of sizes, competitive pricing, and the most extensive dealer and service network. Their Guardian series (10-26kW) is the most popular line for residential use. Generac units feature the proprietary G-Force engine designed specifically for generator use, and their Mobile Link monitoring system lets you check your generator’s status from your smartphone.
Kohler
Kohler generators are known for premium build quality and quieter operation. Their residential lineup ranges from 10kW to 26kW and features corrosion-resistant aluminum enclosures that hold up well in Louisiana’s humid, salt-air-influenced environment. Kohler units tend to be priced slightly higher than comparable Generac models but offer excellent long-term reliability.
Briggs and Stratton
Briggs and Stratton offers competitively priced standby generators in the 10-26kW range. Their units are well-built and backed by a company with over a century of engine manufacturing experience. They’re a solid mid-range option for homeowners looking for reliable performance at a moderate price point.
Installation Considerations Specific to Louisiana
Several factors unique to our region affect generator installation:
- Elevation: In flood-prone areas, generators should be installed on elevated pads or platforms to protect against water damage. Some areas may have specific elevation requirements
- Hurricane resistance: Generator enclosures should be rated for high wind loads. Proper anchoring to the mounting pad is essential to prevent the unit from shifting or overturning in hurricane-force winds
- Salt air corrosion: Homes near Lake Pontchartrain, the Mississippi River, or the Gulf Coast may benefit from generators with enhanced corrosion-resistant enclosures
- Setback requirements: Local codes in Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, and St. Tammany Parish specify minimum distances from property lines, windows, and doors. Your installer must account for these
- HOA restrictions: Some homeowners associations have rules about generator placement, screening, and noise levels. Check with your HOA before finalizing placement
The Transfer Switch: The Most Important Component You Never Think About
The automatic transfer switch (ATS) is the brain of your standby generator system. It constantly monitors utility power, signals the generator to start when power is lost, transfers your home’s electrical load to the generator, and reverses the process when utility power is restored. A quality transfer switch with proper installation is essential for safe, reliable operation.
There are two main types:
- Service-rated transfer switch: Replaces or integrates with your main breaker and can manage your entire electrical panel. This is the standard for whole-home generator installations
- Load center transfer switch: Powers only selected circuits that you designate as critical. Less expensive but requires you to decide in advance which circuits matter most during an outage
Let CR Electric Help You Choose
Selecting the right generator involves balancing your power needs, budget, fuel availability, and property characteristics. At CR Electric, we start every generator project with a detailed site assessment and load calculation. We’ll evaluate your home’s electrical system, discuss your priorities and budget, and recommend the generator that best fits your situation.
Our installation includes everything: permitting, concrete pad, generator, transfer switch, fuel connection, wiring, testing, and inspection. And after installation, our maintenance plans keep your generator ready for the next storm. Learn more about our backup generator services.
Ready to find the right generator for your home? Call CR Electric at (504) 737-6024 (Southshore) or (985) 400-8141 (Northshore), or request a free generator consultation and estimate. Let our 25+ years of experience guide you to the perfect backup power solution.
