Generator suggestions

This is based on my experience with hurricanes and other storms. If you would like to do it right the first time, then purchase a whole house gen set. This would include an automatic transfer switch, gen set, and which ever fuel you would like to use. I have a Kohler 35K natural gas unit for our house. The engine turns at 1800 rpm. This does two things, lowers gas consumption and prolongs engine life. Based on the fact that you lose power regularly and you are out in the heat of Texas, I suggest you go with the full house unit. That way if you are gone and the power fails, you won't run the risk of coming home to a refrigerator full of ruined food, etc. You won't have to run to town to purchase fuel and oil. Most home gen sets run about 100 hrs between oil changed. Look at the literature with the small portable units and you see main between 24 and 40 hrs between oil changes. If you go the home gen set route, purchase one that will run everything. You want one that turns at 1800 rpm and is liquid cooled. The good think about the home unit is that the ATS (automatic transfer switch) can be programed to the day of the week that you would like to have the unit exercise, whether you transfer the load to the gen set or just run for exercise. Sorry this is so long.