Finally got to use the generator.

[John B.]

I've got a whole house (autostart, autotransfer, big tank of propane) generator on my house...one of the first "home improvement" purchases after the hurricanes of '04. Yes, they're significantly quieter than a portable unit (you can definitely tell the difference in insulation if you open an access panel while it's running), but you still would be well advised to put it as far away from neighbors' houses as possible (and your own...mine ended up under my master bedroom window due to lack of other locations). I've been fortunate, in that it's only provided power to the house for about 3 hours since I've owned it, so it was probably overkill unless another big storm hits, but it is really cool when the power goes out, the thing starts up, and you hear the "clunk" as the transfer switch brings on generator power.