Easy Gen vs. Standby Generators

When it comes to backup power, homeowners usually think there are only two choices: spend big money on a full standby system or roll the dice with extension cords. But there’s a third option most people don’t know about — and it’s what we do every day at Easy Gen.

Let’s break down the difference between a portable generator hookup (Easy Gen) and a whole-house standby generator so you can make the smartest decision for your home.

What Is a Standby Generator?

A standby generator is the big box you’ve probably seen sitting outside someone’s house. It’s permanently installed, hardwired into your panel, and hooked up to natural gas or propane. When the power goes out, it automatically kicks on and runs your entire home like nothing happened.

Sounds great, right? Well… there’s a catch.

• Price: A full standby system typically runs $12,000–$15,000 installed.

• Maintenance: They need regular servicing, oil changes, and testing.

• Fuel: You’ll need natural gas or a large propane tank.

• Overkill: Most families don’t actually need every outlet in the house running during an outage.

If money isn’t a concern, standby systems are convenient. But for most homeowners, they’re just not practical.

What Is Easy Gen?

Easy Gen is a portable generator hookup system. We safely connect your portable generator directly to your home’s electrical panel using an inlet, breaker, and interlock kit.

When the power goes out, you roll out your generator, plug it into the inlet, and flip the switch. Boom — your essentials are back on. Furnace, fridges, lights, sump pump, well pump… whatever matters most.

And here’s the kicker: the whole setup is about 10% of the cost of a standby generator.

Easy Gen vs. Standby: Head-to-Head

Feature	Easy Gen (Portable Hookup)	Standby Generator
Cost	~$1,199 for install (plus cost of generator, usually $850–$1,200)	$12,000–$15,000+ fully installed
Power	Runs essentials (heat, fridge, lights, pump, etc.)	Can run the entire house automatically
Operation	Manual: roll out generator, plug in, flip switch	Automatic: starts and transfers power instantly
Maintenance	Minimal (keep generator fueled and serviced)	Regular service contracts required
Fuel Source	Gasoline/propane (your portable generator)	Natural gas or large propane tank
Flexibility	Use generator for other jobs (camping, job site, etc.)	Permanent — only serves the house
Installation	One-time panel hookup with lifetime workmanship warranty	Complex install with permits, gas lines, and heavy equipment
Reliability	Simple, dependable, fewer parts to fail	Very reliable but complex and expensive

Why Most Families Don’t Need Standby

The truth is, most outages in New Hampshire last hours, not weeks. You don’t need to run every outlet, TV, and hot tub in your house during a storm. What you need is heat, refrigeration, lights, and maybe water if you’re on a well.

That’s exactly what Easy Gen gives you — at a fraction of the cost. And since you’re using a portable generator, you can also take it camping, lend it to a neighbor, or use it on a job site. Try doing that with a 500-pound standby system bolted to a concrete pad.

The Big Difference: Cost

Let’s talk numbers.

• Easy Gen system: $1,199 installed. Add a Champion or Westinghouse portable generator for around $1,000. Total investment: ~$2,200.

• Standby system: Between $12,000 and $15,000 on average. Some even go higher depending on your house and fuel setup.

That’s a difference of at least $10,000.

Think about what else you could do with that money — pay down debt, upgrade your kitchen, take a family trip, or keep it in savings.

Why We Built Easy Gen

I started Easy Gen because I kept seeing homeowners get pushed into buying these massive, expensive systems they didn’t need. The sales pitch was always about “peace of mind,” but what they weren’t telling folks was there’s a much cheaper, safer way to get the exact same peace of mind.

Easy Gen is designed for real families. For the folks who just want to keep their furnace running, their fridge cold, and their lights on when the power goes out — without spending fifteen grand.

Which One’s Right for You?

If you’ve got deep pockets, don’t want to lift a finger, and like the idea of powering your whole house automatically, then sure — a standby generator might make sense.

But if you’re like most homeowners — practical, budget-conscious, and just want to keep the essentials running safely during an outage — Easy Gen is hands down the smarter choice.

Final Word

Both systems will keep your home powered. The difference comes down to cost, complexity, and what you actually need.

• Want the Cadillac? Go with a standby.

• Want the reliable pickup truck that gets the job done without draining your bank account? That’s Easy Gen.

And remember: every Easy Gen install comes with parts, labor, full testing, load labeling, a hands-on walkthrough, laminated instructions, a video tutorial, and a lifetime workmanship warranty.

So the next time the power goes out, you won’t be fumbling with cords or wishing you had fifteen grand to spare. You’ll just flip a switch and get on with your life.