Agreed, if you try to get a generator big enough to run EVERYTHING in the house AT THE SAME TIME, even a gasoline powered generator will run you multiples of four figures.

Do your homework first, and figure out the maximum power you need to run just the ESSENTIALS that you ABSOLUTELY NEED - ie, lights, ability to keep warm, ability to cook food, ability to take a shower/flush the toilet/have running water.

Once you know the maximum amount of power you would need at any one time to do this, then you can shop around for a generator with a continuous load rating to handle it.

Oft times, the normal places that sell generators such as Northern Tool, Home Depot, etc, will get in several sizeable generators that were used by a contractor for a specific job, then returned to the distributor. They're often refurbished and sold as used at a substantial discount. Several years ago, I picked up a 12 KW continuous load wheeled unit at Home Depot that was used by a contractor and refurbished - normaly one of these units cost in the range of $2500 or better, I picked up this refurbished one for $1500.

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Just say "NO" to Ethanol - Drive Diesel

Mitchell Oates
Mooresville, NC
'87 300D 212K miles
'87 300D 151K miles - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD 67K miles
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club