How to Use a Generator During a Power Outage

Start with where the generator goes

Carbon monoxide (CO) is the biggest danger with any generator. It is colorless and odorless, and it can build up indoors in minutes. A generator must run outside, never in a garage, basement, shed or porch, even with the doors open.

Place it on flat, dry ground at least 20 feet from your house, with the exhaust pointed away from windows, doors and vents. Keep it away from neighbors' windows too. If it is raining or snowing, use a generator tent or canopy made for the job, with open sides so heat and exhaust can escape. Never run a unit under a closed cover or in a closed structure.

Install battery-powered or plug-in CO alarms with battery backup inside your home. Some generators have a built-in CO sensor that shuts the engine down when levels rise. For example, the Westinghouse iGen8200TFc lists a CO sensor and automatic low oil shutdown. A sensor is a good backup, but it does not replace smart placement.

How to start a generator, step by step

If this is your first time, read the manual before the outage, not during it. Starting steps vary by model, but most follow the same pattern.

• Check the oil level on flat ground and add oil if needed. Most units will not start, or will shut off, when oil is low.
• Check that the fuel is fresh and the tank has enough. Use the fuel type your model lists.
• Make sure nothing is plugged into the generator and any breakers on the panel are off.
• Open the fuel valve and set the choke if your model has one. Follow the manual for cold starts.
• Start the engine. That means pulling the recoil cord, pressing a push-button, or using a remote key fob, depending on the start type. The Westinghouse units in our data list remote electric start, while the WEN DF360iX is a compact unit that you can check on our spec sheet.
• Let the engine run for a minute or two to settle before you add any load.
• Connect your loads one by one, starting with the biggest.

Can you just plug a generator into an outlet?

No. Plugging a generator into a wall outlet with a double-ended cord is called backfeeding. It sends power back through your house wiring and out to the utility lines. That can seriously hurt or kill line workers and neighbors, and it can start fires or damage your home's wiring and the generator.

There are two safe ways to connect. The first is to run heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords from the generator directly to your appliances. The second is a transfer switch or an interlock kit, installed by a licensed electrician, which lets you power household circuits safely and keeps the generator isolated from the grid.

Home backup models usually include a 120/240V outlet for this. The Westinghouse iGen8200TFc lists a 14-50R 50A outlet for transfer switch or interlock kit use, and the DuroMax XP13000HX lists a transfer switch ready 50 amp outlet. Check the outlet panel on any model against the connection you plan to use.

Compare your connection options

Pick the method that matches how much you need to run and how long the outage may last.

Add loads slowly and stay within the watts

Every generator has a running watts rating and a higher peak watts rating. Running watts are what it can hold for hours. Peak watts cover the short surge when a motor, such as a refrigerator compressor or sump pump, starts. Add up the running watts of what you need and stay under that number, with room to spare.

Turn appliances on one at a time, largest motor first, and let the generator settle between each. This prevents overloads that can trip a breaker or stall the engine. For scale, the WEN DF360iX lists 2900 running watts, which suits a few essentials. The Westinghouse WGen 11500W models list 11500 running watts on gasoline, which is a different class of power for home backup.

Skip the loads you can live without, like space heaters or big power tools, if your generator is small. For sensitive electronics, a lower THD number means cleaner power. The iGen8200TFc lists less than 3% THD, while the WGen 11500W models list 5% or less. Our best power inverter generator page lines up these numbers if you care about phones and laptops.

Refueling and running it over a long outage

Never refuel while the generator is running. Gasoline or propane can ignite on a hot engine or exhaust. Turn the unit off, unplug the loads, and let it cool before you add fuel. Wipe up any spills. Store fuel in approved containers, outside living space and away from ignition sources.

Plan your fuel before the outage gets long. Runtime depends on load, so compare the runtime at 25% load and the tank size. The iGen8200TFc lists up to 17 hours at 25% load on a 3.9 gallon tank, and the WGen 11500W lists up to 19 hours on a 9.5 gallon tank. A heavier load shortens those hours. Fuel flexibility helps too, since tri-fuel models can run on gasoline, propane or natural gas.

Check the generator often while it runs. Listen for odd sounds, watch the load, and keep children and pets away from the hot engine. Wear hearing protection if you stand near a louder unit, since noise levels differ a lot between models. Dry hands and dry ground matter as well, because water and electricity do not mix.

Practice before you need it

Do a dry run before storm season. Start the generator, run a light load, and shut it down properly. This shows you if the battery, fuel or starter needs attention, and it makes the real outage much less stressful.

If you are still deciding what to buy, our best generator page puts running watts, noise, runtime, weight and outlet details on one spec sheet. Match the unit to the loads you actually need, then confirm the outlets and CO shutoff in the table.

Frequently asked questions

How long can I run a generator without a break?

Check your manual for the maker's limits. Most owners shut the unit down to check oil and refuel when the tank runs low, and runtime varies with the load.

Can I run a generator in the rain?

Only with proper protection. Use a canopy or tent made for generators with open sides, keep the unit on dry ground, and never run it enclosed.

Do I need a transfer switch for a small generator?

Not if you power appliances directly with outdoor-rated extension cords. A transfer switch or interlock kit is for feeding household circuits, and an electrician should install it.

What should I do if my CO alarm goes off?

Shut off the generator, get everyone outside into fresh air, and call emergency services. Do not go back in until the alarm is clear and the home has been checked.

How should I store fuel for a generator?

Use approved fuel containers, keep them outside living areas and away from heat or flames, and follow the fuel maker's advice on how long fuel stays fresh.