I opted for a standby to plug into the house, backfeed the breaker box with a interlock on the main/ generator breakers. I found this to be the most cost effective generator setup for most all items covered. I have about $3,000- $3,300 total cost of generator, interlocks, cords, electrical work.
This allows me to backfeed using my Champion power equipment model 100110. ( 9,200 watts / 11,500 max) generator cost me $980 at Lowe’s.
I can run everything I need but my 5 ton AC unit. I can run multiple window units that I have for outages though. We cool one or two rooms and let the rest get warm if needed. Heat, and hot water is natural gas. I had to do the 5 hour break in on the generator and ran the house, lights ( all LEDs) garage door, gate opener, one stove eye, all ceiling fans, and all 110 electronics and never used more than 4 of the 7 load bars. Very happy with the generator.
I store the generator full of fuel, and 2 14 gallon tanks of gasoline in wood storage barn. The generator is rated to run 10 hours at 50% load on 7.7 gallons of fuel. With a full tank and 28 gallons on standby I have just under 5 full tanks or 50 hours of run time.
I find this to be the most economic for my current abilities and avoided the LP/ Natural gas fuels due to how much it consumes per hour and the lowered wattage output. I would need 1 gallon per hour of LP so I would need a massive tank just for the generator and it would produce 10% less wattage on LP.
Generator, plug and extension cord
Generator interlock switch. Great way to safely backfeed the home.
Had enough power to also run a 100’ cord to my shop/ rented out studio apartment over it to run basic items.