Generator Guide for Florida Hurricane Season — Standby vs Portable

Published January 15, 2026 • 7 min read • By Donny McGuire

If you have lived through a Florida hurricane without a generator, you know how miserable it is. No AC in August. No refrigerator. No lights. Your phone dies. Food spoils. And depending on where you are, power might not come back for days or even weeks.

I get more calls about generators than almost anything else, especially from April through June when people start thinking about the coming storm season. Here is what I want you to know before you buy.

Portable Generators — The Affordable Option

A portable generator is what most people think of first. You buy a unit at the hardware store for $500 to $2,000, wheel it out to the driveway when the power goes out, fill it with gasoline, pull the cord, and plug in extension cords.

Pros of portable generators:

• Lower upfront cost ($500 to $2,000 for the unit)
• No permanent installation needed (though I strongly recommend a transfer switch)
• Can be stored in the garage when not in use
• Easy to take with you if you move

Cons of portable generators:

• You have to be home to start it — it does not turn on automatically
• Runs on gasoline, which is hard to find after a hurricane (gas stations need power too)
• Typically powers only a few circuits, not your whole house
• Noisy — your neighbors will hear it
• Needs to be outdoors with proper ventilation (carbon monoxide risk)
• Requires you to store gasoline, which has its own safety concerns

If you go the portable route, I cannot stress this enough: get a manual transfer switch installed. A transfer switch lets you safely connect the generator to your panel so you can power specific circuits (refrigerator, lights, a window AC unit) without running extension cords all over the house. And more importantly, it prevents backfeeding into the utility lines, which can kill lineworkers.

A manual transfer switch installation runs $500 to $1,000. It is a one-time cost and it makes your portable generator actually useful and safe.

Standby Generators — The Set-It-and-Forget-It Option

A standby generator (also called a whole-house generator) is permanently installed outside your home, connected to your electrical panel through an automatic transfer switch, and fueled by natural gas or propane. When the power goes out, the generator starts automatically — usually within 10 to 30 seconds. When utility power comes back, it shuts off automatically.

You do not have to be home. You do not have to drag anything out of the garage. You do not have to find gasoline. It just works.

Popular brands I install:

• Generac — The most common residential standby generator. Reliable, widely available, good dealer network in the Sarasota area. Models range from 10kW to 26kW for residential.
• Kohler — Typically quieter than Generac, well-built. Popular with homeowners who are close to their neighbors. Slightly higher price point.

Both brands make solid products. The right choice depends on your budget, your noise sensitivity, and the size you need.

Sizing Your Generator — How Much Power Do You Need?

This is where a lot of people get tripped up. A generator that is too small will not run everything you need. A generator that is way too big wastes money on capacity you will never use.

Here is a rough guide to power consumption for common household systems:

• Central AC (3-ton): 3,500 to 4,500 watts running, 7,000+ watts starting
• Refrigerator: 100 to 400 watts running
• Well pump: 1,000 to 2,000 watts
• Pool pump: 1,500 to 2,500 watts
• Lights (LED, whole house): 200 to 500 watts
• Microwave: 1,000 to 1,500 watts
• Electric water heater: 4,000 to 5,000 watts

For most homes in Sarasota-Bradenton, a 16kW to 22kW standby generator will handle the essentials: AC, refrigerator, lights, well pump, and a few other circuits. If you have a pool pump, electric water heater, and want to run everything in the house, you may need a 22kW or larger unit.

I do a load calculation as part of every generator consultation. I look at your panel, add up your critical loads, factor in starting watts (which are higher than running watts for things like AC compressors and pumps), and recommend the right size. There is no guessing.

Natural Gas vs Propane

Natural gas is the preferred fuel if you have a gas line running to your home. The generator connects directly to your gas supply, so you never have to worry about running out of fuel. As long as the gas utility is operating, you have power. Most newer neighborhoods in Sarasota and Bradenton have natural gas available.

Propane (LP) is the option for homes without natural gas service, which includes a lot of properties in unincorporated Sarasota and Manatee counties. A propane generator connects to a dedicated propane tank (typically 250 to 500 gallons for a whole-house generator). The tank needs to be refilled periodically, but a 500-gallon tank will run a 22kW generator for several days of continuous use.

Both fuel types work well. Natural gas is more convenient because you never run out. Propane requires a tank and periodic refills but is available everywhere, even where gas lines do not reach.

The Installation Process

A standby generator installation involves several steps:

1. Site survey and load calculation. I come to your home, assess your panel, calculate your power needs, and identify the best location for the generator. It needs to be outside, on a concrete pad, a minimum distance from windows and property lines per code.
2. Permits. Generator installations require a permit in Sarasota and Manatee counties. I handle all the paperwork.
3. Concrete pad. The generator sits on a level concrete pad, typically 3 to 4 inches thick.
4. Electrical work. I install the automatic transfer switch at your panel, run the power and control cables from the generator to the transfer switch, and wire everything up.
5. Fuel connection. A licensed plumber connects the natural gas line or propane line to the generator.
6. Testing and commissioning. We test the system by simulating a power outage, verifying automatic startup, load transfer, and shutdown. I walk you through the controls and maintenance schedule.

The whole process typically takes two to three days of on-site work, spread over one to two weeks to allow for concrete curing and scheduling the plumber.

What Does It Cost?

A standby generator installation in the Sarasota-Bradenton area typically runs:

• 16kW unit, installed: $5,000 to $8,000
• 22kW unit, installed: $7,000 to $12,000
• 26kW+ unit, installed: $10,000 to $15,000+

These include the generator unit, automatic transfer switch, concrete pad, electrical work, permits, and testing. Fuel line work (plumber) is usually separate and runs $500 to $1,500 depending on the distance from the gas meter or propane tank location.

For a full breakdown of electrical costs in our area, see my 2026 electrical pricing guide.

Do Not Wait Until June

Every year, the same thing happens. Hurricane season starts June 1, a storm pops up in the Gulf, and my phone rings nonstop with people who want a generator installed before it hits. The problem is that generator installations take weeks to schedule, and during storm season, demand goes through the roof while supply chains get strained.

If you are thinking about a generator, the best time to start the conversation is January through April. You get better availability, shorter wait times, and more time to make a decision without the pressure of a named storm spinning in the Gulf.

Ready to talk about a generator for your home? Visit our generator installation service page or call me at (941) 539-8892. I will give you an honest recommendation based on your home, your needs, and your budget.

You might also want to read my article on electrical safety during Florida storm season for more tips on preparing your home.

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