I'm looking to buy an investor generator to run my furnace and a few other things to include my internet in the event of a power outage. Suggestions for makes/models would be appreciated. My furnace only takes up ~700 Watts when running.

Check the Honda line...

A little bit expensive but well worth it.

I have an EU5000IS...

Was hoping to keep it 1500 or below preferably.

Yes, the Honda EU series are great.
They are quiet, fuel efficient, reliable, compact and basically everything you could ask for in a generator.
I've had both a 1000 and 3000 and they are perfect. I've had times when I didn't use them for 6 months to a year and they started on the first or second pull.

quote:

Originally posted by daoliver:
I'm looking to buy an investor generator to run my furnace and a few other things to include my internet in the event of a power outage. Suggestions for makes/models would be appreciated. My furnace only takes up ~700 Watts when running.

I think the limiting factor for your furnace is going to be starting watts. Motors have a pretty significant spike in starting current draw.

Also, running power to your modem and router may not be enough to actually keep your internet going during a power outage. Your ISP may have powered equipment all along the line at the neighborhood level to move and route data along. If the power goes out, expect cable/fiber/DSL to be out as well.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
Yes, the Honda EU series are great.

I concur.

My 2000 is over 20 years old and still going like a champ. I use it for both my camper and my house. We get fairly frequent outages here for whatever reason and it runs the house just fine. The only time I've had to fire up the big generator is to run the well pump. The Honda 2000 runs everything else just fine.

Being very quiet is a big bonus and it'll run forever on eco-mode.

They run around $1000 around here and while you can find others that are cheaper, I think the Honda's stuff has proven to be quality. Another "you get what you pay for".

I don't own an inverter style generator, but man, people seem to be pleased with the Harbor Freight Predator series. Reviews are way up there, even Consumer Reports.

For $900 you could have the Predator 3500 that would give you enough overhead to easily start the furnace, and the 2.6 gal capacity would give you an all-night runtime vs the EU2000 1 gallon tank. Just something to look into before you buy. I'm a HUGE fan of Honda equipment, but I have been extremely impressed by the Predator engine I purchased for my old Troy Bilt tiller.

I just bought this https://generatorbible.com/gen...rs/champion/_200977/ . I paid 590.00 at Walmart. Here is one that is very similar https://www.amazon.com/gp/prod...?tag=genebiblecnt-20
Because of the fuel issues I went with a duel fuel unit and am going to use it with propane.

As others have said ^^^, Honda.

quote:

Originally posted by daoliver:
I'm looking to buy an investor generator to run my furnace and a few other things to include my internet in the event of a power outage. Suggestions for makes/models would be appreciated. My furnace only takes up ~700 Watts when running.

Do some research and check with your ISP... depending on the type of interment you have it may not function in a power page.

I have Spectrum Cable internet. There is a repeator down the road from me. If I lose power, the repeater loses power, and I get nothing on generator power.

As others mentioned, the Hondas are great, the Harbor Freight models can't be beat for the money. If recommend the 3500w models, in case you need to run a fridge during longer outages.

I had a Champion 2000 dual fuel invertor generator. Think it ran $600 it was every bit as quiet as a Honda and it just ran. Had lots more features than a Honda. A led panel that would tell you how many hours of run time you had on the amount of gas you had left, what percentage of available power you were using and a little flip up led light that would illuminate the gas fill hole for refueling at night.

The option of running on propane or gas was very nice.

There were a couple generator threads a while back. I ended up getting a Champion inverter 6500w for about $800 on Amazon. It was the biggest bang for the buck I could find for an inverter.

Limited-time deal: Champion Power Equipment 100519 6250-Watt Open Frame Inverter with Quiet Technology https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K...JYKEZ87K1CN2HTCY33PK

I have a Yamaha EF2400iS - totally happy with it.

Buy once, cry once. Don’t try to go cheap as you will wind up frustrated with dealing with trying to get it fixed.

Stay away from the Cummins inverter portables as they are made by another company and are crap.

Best 2 are Honda and Yamaha with the champions catching up in quality.

I know you want to buy just what you need for the heater but if you can afford it buy bigger. it’s nice to be able to also make coffee or run the microwave without having to unplug and move cords

Look at the Harbor Freight Inverter Generators. Read up and watch youtube videos on them and see the reviews. They seem to be very well built. God Bless !!!

https://www.harborfreight.com/...generator-62523.html

Honestly, for the cost of a Honda EU unit, I'd rather buy two Harbor Freight Predator Units and a parallel kit (and still have money left over for some quality extension cords).

Two units would give redundancy. If one fails, you are only out half of your power output. Then the failed unit can still be used for parts to maintain the good unit.

While functioning, you have the option to parallel them together for combined output. Or to turn one off for fuel savings during periods of low usage. Or the flexibility to separate the two to different parts of the property, or to loan one out to a neighbor in an emergency. Each individual unit is small enough to be moved around easily or taken with you to job sites or camping trips.

You can also spread the acquisition cost into purchases over a couple of years. Or you can be like me, buy the one generator and then realize that you really don't use it enough to justify two, and now only have $450 sunk in "just in case" stuff rather than $1100.

I use a Honda EU2200 for my furnace and cell/flashlight charging needs. And a lamp. For the big outages in the bad winters. It's superb. And portable for other non-emergent needs.

I have an older 7kw Harbor freight predator. Never an issue. Starts on first or second pull always. Ran for 10 days during Ida 4hrs in morning and 4 in evening. Never skipped a beat

I’d have no hesitation about buying one of the new ones

I will probably buy one of the 3500’s in the spring

I’m not an electrician, but I recently bought a tri-fuel generator from Costco, and had a transfer switch installed. Everything done for under $1000 total.

I can run my combi water-heater/hydronic heat, fridge, and garage freezer, for as long as the natural gas holds out. (City line)

My initial live test went great.

I have no idea if this helps, but on the off chance we get an ice storm or thunderstorm or whatever, we’re set.


Does the Amps matter RE: your furnace?

Another bump for the Honda, mine is a EX2500 bought in 1992 after Andrew hit South Louisiana. When I need it I pull the bowl and make sure the jet is clear, fill her up and after 30 years one pull and she comes to life. Honda and Yamaha make great products spend the $2200 on a EU3000. You will never regret it! (oh I did go to a Generac 20K whole house unit and love it) But the Honda still rocks when I need it.