Only a licensed electrician should install the automatic transfer switch, as it’s critical that the steps are performed correctly. Timing the Installation ...

If your house already has a transfer switch and you’ve got a smaller generator that’s compatible, you can use that, though you may have to limit which appliances you power with it.

Maybe you're thinking about buying a generator to keep the juice flowing. While a whole house model can be very expensive, Consumer Reports says there's a less pricey option to power just the ...

A transfer switch is like a mini circuit breaker panel that allows you to draw electricity from your generator instead of from the power company.

A transfer switch allows you to power any of those—and skip the extension cords. Plan on a cost of $500 to $1,500 for the switch, including installation, which usually takes less than a day.