Why Generator Ownership Makes Sense in Waukesha County
Waukesha County homeowners face the same severe weather risks — ice storms, high winds, winter blizzards — that knock out power throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Whether a multi-day outage leaves a home without heat in January or a summer storm disrupts power during a heat wave, a generator provides peace of mind and real protection. The question for most homeowners isn't whether to have backup power, but which type of generator best fits their needs.
Standby Generators: Permanent, Automatic Protection
How they work: Standby generators are permanently installed outside your home, connected to your home's electrical panel, and powered by natural gas or propane. When grid power fails, an automatic transfer switch detects the outage and starts the generator within seconds — automatically, without any action required from you.
Pros:
- Fully automatic — no manual intervention needed, even if you're away from home
- Can power the entire home or selected circuits with sufficient capacity
- Fueled by natural gas — no storing or hauling fuel
- Run continuously through extended outages
- Higher capacity options available for larger homes
- Adds resale value to the property
Cons:
- Significantly higher upfront cost
- Requires professional installation and permit
- Needs annual maintenance service
Portable Generators: Flexible, Affordable Option
How they work: Portable generators run on gasoline or dual-fuel (gasoline/propane) and are operated manually. They power appliances through extension cords or, when used with a transfer switch, through a limited set of circuits.
Pros:
- Lower purchase price
- No installation required
- Can be stored away when not in use
- Portable — can be used at other locations
Cons:
- Requires manual operation and fuel storage
- Must run outdoors — carbon monoxide hazard if improperly used
- Limited runtime per tank of fuel
- Not automatic — useless if you're away during an outage
- Noisier than standby units
Making the Right Choice for Your Home
Homeowners with medical equipment, home businesses, or who frequently travel should strongly consider a standby generator. Those who experience only occasional, short outages and are always home when weather events hit may find a quality portable generator sufficient.
Generator Installation and Service from Burkhardt
Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric provides professional standby generator installation and service for Waukesha County homeowners. Our licensed electricians handle proper connection, transfer switch installation, and permitting. With 60+ years as a family-owned Milwaukee-area company, we bring expertise and reliability to every generator project. Call 414-206-3049 to discuss your backup power options. GreenSky financing is available for qualifying generator installations, and we're available 24/7 for emergencies.
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