For most homes, the best generator for hurricane season is a 7,500 to 9,500 watt portable generator that’s transfer-switch ready, ideally dual fuel so you can switch to propane when gas stations are closed. That’s enough to run a refrigerator, a freezer, a sump or well pump, lights, fans and a window air conditioner at the same time. If you want the whole house powered automatically, a permanently installed standby generator is the step up.
Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and it’s busiest from mid-August through mid-October. The best time to buy is before a storm is in the forecast, because generators and fuel cans sell out fast once one is on the way.
3 Good 7,500 Watt Generators for Hurricane Season
1. Westinghouse WGen7500 (gas, remote start)
- 7,500 running watts and 9,500 starting watts from a 420cc engine.
- Remote key fob start, so you can start it without going outside in the weather.
- 6.6 gallon tank runs about 11 hours.
- Transfer-switch ready, CARB compliant, with automatic low-oil shutdown.
- About 192 pounds.
Best for: people who want easy starting and plan to connect to a transfer switch.
2. Champion 100891 Dual Fuel (gas or propane)
- 7,500 running watts and 9,375 starting watts on gasoline, from a 439cc engine.
- Runs on gasoline or propane. The 7.7 gallon gas tank runs up to 10 hours, and a 20 lb propane tank runs about 5.5 hours.
- Electric start, low-oil shutoff and built-in surge protection.
- About 207 pounds.
Best for: hurricane areas where gas can run short after a storm. Propane stores for years without going bad, unlike gasoline.
3. Powermate 7500 by Generac (gas, budget)
- 7,500 running watts from a 420cc Generac engine.
- 8 gallon tank runs up to 14 hours at a 25% load.
- Recoil (pull) start with a simple off/run/choke dial and low-oil shutoff.
- About 167 pounds, the lightest of the three.
Best for: a lower-cost backup if you don’t mind a pull start.
Model numbers and prices change from year to year, so compare the current versions before you buy. Also read our guides to dual fuel generators and the best remote start generators.
What Size Generator Do You Need for a Hurricane?
| What you want to run | Generator size |
|---|---|
| Refrigerator, phones, a few lights and fans | 2,000 to 3,500 watts |
| Refrigerator, freezer, sump pump, lights, fans, TV | 4,000 to 6,000 watts |
| All of the above plus a window AC or well pump | 7,500 to 9,500 watts |
| Central air plus most of the house | 12,000+ watts, or a standby generator |
Add up the running watts of everything you want on at once, then make sure the generator can also handle the biggest starting surge. Our generator sizing guide walks you through it, and you can see what a 7,500 watt generator will run.
Portable vs. Standby Generators
A portable generator costs far less and can go wherever you need it. You’ll need to set it up, keep it fueled and either run extension cords or have an electrician install a transfer switch or interlock kit. A transfer switch is the safest way to power household circuits, and it lets you run hardwired items like a well pump or furnace. See how a transfer switch works.
A standby generator is installed permanently, runs on natural gas or propane, and turns on automatically within seconds of an outage. It’s the most convenient option and can power an entire house including central air, but it’s also the most expensive. Generac, Kohler, Cummins and Briggs & Stratton are the major brands.
Hurricane Generator Checklist
- Buy and test the generator before the season starts, and run it under load once a month.
- Store enough fuel for several days. Gas stations often lose power after a storm too. Add stabilizer to gasoline, or keep extra propane tanks.
- Have heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords or a transfer switch ready.
- Keep spare oil, a spark plug and a funnel with the generator.
- Pick a safe spot outside where it can run at least 20 feet from the house and stay out of standing water.
- Install battery-powered carbon monoxide alarms inside the house.
- Plan how to keep it out of the rain. A purpose-built generator shelter or tent works much better than a tarp.
Generator Safety During a Hurricane
Carbon monoxide poisoning from generators kills people after almost every major storm. Never run a generator inside your home, garage, shed or under a carport, even with the door open. Keep it at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents, with the exhaust pointed away from the house.
Don’t run a generator in standing water or with wet hands. Never plug a generator into a wall outlet (“backfeeding”). It can electrocute utility workers and start fires. Read more about why backfeeding is dangerous. The Ready.gov hurricane guide has more storm preparation tips.
FAQ
What size generator do I need for a hurricane?
For most homes, 7,500 watts or more is enough for a refrigerator, a freezer, a pump, lights and a window AC. If you only need the fridge and a few essentials, 3,500 to 5,000 watts can work.
Can you run a generator during a hurricane?
Only when it’s safe to be outside to set it up, and only if it can stay at least 20 feet from the house, out of standing water and protected from rain. Many people wait until the worst winds pass. Never move it indoors or into a garage to protect it from the storm.
Will a 7,500 watt generator run central air?
Sometimes. A small central AC unit (2 to 3 tons) may run on 7,500 watts if little else is on, but the startup surge can be too much. A soft-start kit on the AC helps a lot. Larger systems usually need 10,000+ watts or a standby generator.
Is propane or gas better for a hurricane generator?
Propane is often better for hurricanes because it stores indefinitely and is easier to get after a storm. Gasoline gives a little more power and run time per tank. A dual fuel generator lets you use either.