[Seahawk]

I have looked at this from a number of angles.

We are the last stop on the grid and there are many, many trees in the area. We lose power 3/4 times a year...in a hurricane, we have lost power for a week at a time.

The first few years I ran cords to run the fridge and other essentials, which gets old.

About 15 years ago we put in a separate electrical panel for the generators (I have two - gas powered and diesel powered - run one at a time) so I can power all essentials plus a portable a/c unit.

Works really well. Maintenance on the generators is easy.

That said, if we decide to stay here after my wife retires, we are going to put in a first floor Master Bedroom extension that will include a whole house propane generator.