Best Whole Home Generators for Memphis Homes

If you’ve decided you want backup power for your Memphis home, the next question is usually the harder one, which generator, and what size? A generator that’s too small won’t carry your whole house through a real outage. One that’s oversized means paying for capacity you’ll never use.

As a Generac dealer and technician, Upchurch Builders installs and services the full Generac home standby lineup across the Memphis area, and we have a straightforward breakdown of what’s available, how sizing works, and which generator tends to fit which kinds of homes. When in doubt, call Upchurch Builders!

Why Generac for Memphis Homes?

Generac is the top-selling home standby generator brand in the country, and for Memphis specifically, that matters for a very practical reason: Parts availability and service support. When a storm knocks out power across Shelby County and hundreds of generators kick on at once, having a widely supported brand with a strong regional dealer and parts network means faster service calls and less downtime.

Generac’s home standby lineup runs on natural gas or propane, switches between the two fuel types without tools, and starts automatically within seconds of a power outage. No manual startup, no extension cords, no waiting.

How Whole Home Generator Sizing Works

Generator size is measured in kilowatts (kW), and the right size depends on your home’s square footage, how many major appliances you want to run simultaneously, and whether you want to power your whole house or just the essentials (HVAC, refrigerator, medical devices, sump pump, etc).

Broadly, Generac’s residential lineup breaks into three tiers:

• Smaller units (10-14 kW): Covers essential circuits (refrigerator, sump pump, some lighting, and a window or mini-split AC unit). A good fit for smaller homes or homeowners who want core protection without covering full central air.
• Mid-range units (18-22 kW): The most common install for Memphis-area homes. The 22 kW model is popular nationally, and typically covers homes in the 2,000-3,000 square foot range, including central air conditioning.
• Larger units (24-26+ kW, up to 28 kW): Built for larger homes, homes with multiple HVAC systems, or homeowners who want true whole-house coverage with no load management needed. The 24 kW model generally handles homes up to roughly 3,500 square feet with central air.

The specific number that’s right for your house depends on a load calculation, an assessment of your electrical panel, square footage, and which appliances you want backed up. Generally, homes in Germantown, Collierville, and Arlington tend to skew toward the larger end of these ranges given typical lot and home sizes, while homes in older Memphis neighborhoods with smaller footprints often do well with a mid-range unit. 

Getting the Right Size Installed Correctly

Sizing is only half the equation, installation matters just as much. A generator needs to be placed at the correct distance from windows, doors, and property lines per local code, connected to a properly sized fuel line, and paired with a transfer switch rated for your panel. Upchurch Builders handles the full process! Site preparation, generator placement, gas or LP line runs, transfer switch installation, and all required electrical connections, then we keep it running with ongoing service and maintenance.

Ready to Find the Right Fit for Your Home?

Every Memphis home is different, and the right generator size comes down to more than square footage. Upchurch Builders is a Generac dealer serving Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Arlington, and the surrounding communities. We’ll walk your property, run the calculations, and recommend the right size for how you actually want your home powered. Contact us or request a free estimate to get started.