Here are some statistics about homeowners' use of portable generators:
- According to a survey conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 170 people die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by portable generators.
- The same CPSC survey found that between 2005 and 2017, there were an estimated 75,200 emergency department visits and 3,600 deaths associated with portable generator use.
- A 2019 survey by Generac, a leading manufacturer of generators, found that 79% of homeowners in the United States believe that a power outage would be an inconvenience for their household, and 28% said it would be a major disruption.
- The Generac survey also found that 32% of homeowners have experienced a power outage that lasted longer than 12 hours, and 12% have experienced an outage that lasted more than 24 hours.
- In response to power outages, 27% of homeowners who participated in the Generac survey said they have used a portable generator in the past, and 10% said they currently own one.
- The most common uses for portable generators among homeowners, according to the Generac survey, are powering lights (76%), keeping food cold (57%), and powering a sump pump (34%).
- The same survey found that 48% of homeowners who have used a portable generator in the past said they did not follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe use, and 32% said they did not place the generator outside the home, as recommended.
- A 2021 survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Generac found that 41% of homeowners are considering purchasing a generator in the next 12 months, with the most common reasons being concerns about power outages (54%) and severe weather events (38%).
- The same survey found that 69% of homeowners who currently own a generator have used it during a power outage, and 58% have used it during a severe weather event.
- According to a report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), between 2005 and 2017, portable generators were involved in 9% of home generator-related fires and 20% of generator-related carbon monoxide poisoning deaths.
- The NFPA report also found that portable generator-related fires caused an annual average of million in direct property damage.
- The American Red Cross recommends that homeowners have a portable generator with a minimum of 2,500 to 4,000 watts of power to run essential appliances during a power outage.
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that portable generators be placed at least 20 feet away from the home and never be used in enclosed or partially enclosed spaces, such as garages, basements, or crawl spaces.
- According to a 2020 report by Research and Markets, the global portable generator market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.2% between 2020 and 2025, driven by increasing demand for backup power in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.